Volunteer Motivation

Reaction Paper #2

2/3/18                        

Volunteer Motivation

        When it comes to volunteerism there are many reasons as to why one would be motivated to give their time. In the reading, the authors talked about popular motives like purposeful, solidity, and external traditions, and commitments (Farrell, Johnston, & Twynam p.295). I think these findings go to show that there are so many different ways to motivate volunteers.

        Getting people to commit to an organization typically comes back to one of those categories. The most important incentives found in the early study (p.289) and the later study (p.294) both show that purposeful and solidity motives have the most effect on people. Volunteers decide to commit to an organization or event because of the desired experience. There needs to be a sense of contribution and impact while at the same time being part of a group with a common goal. Organizations are aware of this and take it into play when marketing volunteerism. For instance on the Habitat for Humanity website they encourage volunteering by showing purposeful work as well as the social aspect of being a volunteer. One reason they give is “By volunteering with your local Habitat for Humanity, you can be a part of the change you want to see in your community”. Then on the other hand they encourage traveling and being part of a collegiate group. By showing the appealing benefits, volunteers feel motivated to participate.

        Personally what encourages me most to volunteer are the purposes it benefits. Overall I think volunteering is about giving back to the community and benefitting the greater good. Susan J. Ellis of Energize Inc. states, “today you may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort”. I think this is a great way to explain how volunteering can impact others.

        When I volunteered my time at the Boys and Girls Club, I knew I would have an impact on people less fortunate than myself. My motives behind my actions were for many reasons. To begin with, I wanted to give back to the community, be a part of something I have never done, and being a role model to younger kids. I wanted it to be a meaningful experience opposed to going because I had to for my fraternity. While other volunteers might have gone because they were required to go, my motives had purpose to it.