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Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 1 Introduction It's Mostly About Me: Reasons why volunteers.

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Presentation on theme: "Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 1 Introduction It's Mostly About Me: Reasons why volunteers."— Presentation transcript:

1 Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 1 Introduction It's Mostly About Me: Reasons why volunteers contribute their time to museums and art museums Preliminary findings on ‘initial motivation’ of volunteers 3 large museums in 2 Australian states. Part of broader study on understanding how volunteers are organized in museums.

2 Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 2 Findings Factor 1: Personal values Broaden horizons, vary regular activities Do something that was a chance of a lifetime in prestigious organisation Volunteering makes them feel better about themselves and can gain new skills. Factor 2:Relationship Network Friend or family member is currently involved in the museum. Asked by a friend or family member who is/was a volunteer at the institution Factor 3: Skills/capability Volunteers want to be active & useful after retirement. Want to continue using skills they believe are needed by the organisation. Past experiences providing similar services support this understanding Factor 4: Available time Respondents have more available time Have interests in activities of the institution (art, science, natural history), due to education, training or work and are motivated to volunteer.

3 Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 3 Findings Factor 5: Social Respondents want to make new friends, feel a part of the community and interact with others. Factor 6: Purposive Respondents want to make the organisation a success Give something back to the community Certain obligation seeing others from their community volunteer Factor 7: Free time and need for a change These volunteers had plenty to do but made time to volunteer Because they wanted to vary their regular activities and learn new skills satisfying a need for change and variety. Factor 8: Personal affiliation Respondents have an affiliation to the institution thru personal interest or they or family member was an ex-serviceperson, artist or natural scientist.  Relate to ideals of the organisation  Identify with subculture; involvement enables socialisation into subculture.

4 Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 4 Findings People consume products and services that reflect their identities – true for these volunteers Museum & art museum volunteers are self-interested. Directed by primary interests, obligations, and personal needs - hope to satisfy Volunteering for them is a leisure choice

5 Deborah Edwards BEST TTIV 2004 Tourism and Hospitality Program University of Western Sydney 5 Management Implications Ensure sustainability of volunteer programs  Develop programs to meet self-interested motivational factors  Reality marketing of programs  Demonstrate ethic of corporate social responsibility Volunteers contribute to positive social exchange  Their input can enhance exhibits  Training to capitalise on volunteer interests Meaningful cultural exchange and social understanding Treat local culture and customs with sensitivity Appropriate rewards  Ensure volunteer contribution isn’t lost thru ‘lack of respect’  Generic rewards unsatisfying, waste of valuable resources to volunteers  Rewards - motivation focused


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