Exploring activity-contingent volunteerism: a preliminary investigation of Back on My Feet volunteers

Abstract

Research question: Back on My Feet (BoMF) is an American non-profit organisation designed to help homeless individuals. In helping homeless individuals, BoMF relies upon volunteers who lead early morning runs. The running component of volunteerism reflects a unique volunteerism context, activity-contingent volunteerism (ACV) worthy of academic investigation. The current research develops a measurement tool to assess (ACV) among BoMF volunteers and then uses this tool to explain two important volunteer outcomes: volunteer satisfaction and involvement with the organisation.

Research methods: An online questionnaire was administered to a sample of BoMF volunteers across four chapters. A total of 396 questionnaires were completed.

Results and findings: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to reduce a list of items to a few categories to reflect the ACV experience. The EFA uncovered six factors: learning, helping, activity, philanthropy, obligation and esteem. Next, multiple regression analysis revealed three of the six ACV factors that contribute to volunteer satisfaction, while four of the six ACV factors contribute to involvement with BoMF.

Practical implications: Beyond presenting an initial investigation of ACV, the results introduce a number of implications for volunteer managers in this context. First, managers can tailor marketing and recruitment communication based upon the factors uncovered. Second, the mission and values of the organisation can be communicated in an effort to retain volunteers. Third, training can be implemented to educate volunteers on both the physical and philanthropic components of the experience.

Keywords:

• volunteering
• motives
• satisfaction
• involvement
• running