A Study of Voluntary Organizational Membership: The Assimilation Process in a Community Choir

Abstract

Whereas most previous research on organizational assimilation has examined the process of employees joining, becoming a part of, or leaving organizations as part of their careers, this study examines the assimilation process of volunteer members of a community choir. Results indicate that many of the same concepts apply to both employees and volunteers during anticipatory socialization, encounter, metamorphosis, and exit. However, volunteer experiences are different from employee experiences in a number of important areas throughout the process, especially regarding exit. These findings have implications for other volunteer organizations and for assimilation research in general.

Keywords:

• Assimilation
• Community Organizations
• Socialization
• Uncertainty Management
• Volunteers

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank students in his Fall 2007 Com 4974 Capstone Course at the University of Missouri for their contributions to this study and Rebecca Meisenbach and Howard Kramer for their comments on previous versions. An earlier version of this essay was presented at the 2008 National Communication Association Annual Convention in San Diego.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael W. Kramer

Michael W. Kramer (PhD, University of Texas) is Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma.