Why do people volunteer?

Religious affiliation is the strongest indicator of volunteer involvement. People also volunteer because they had a positive volunteering experience when they were young. In other words, if they learned the value of volunteering whey they were young, they will continue the volunteer spirit in their adult lives.

People may volunteer for a charitable or voluntary organization because they have positive attitudes about that particular organization. Other people volunteer in order to give something back to society. Finally many people volunteer in order to help a needy friend, relative or homeless person.

For those of you in this class, there a many different motivations for participating in the Master Internet Volunteer^SM program. Some of you are here because you wish to strengthen your resume. Many of you are here to learn something new and unique. Some of you are motivated to be here because you like to share your skills and knowledge. Other just like to be with people of similar interests and to have fun. Some of you like to give advice and will have a new skill to share. Others are motivated to have a positive impact on your community.

You can see there are many benefits to volunteering. How you perceive those benefits may depend on what motivates you. One general way used to describe different kinds of motivation is to categorize it as achievement, affiliation or power motivated.

• If you are achievement motivated, your main goal may be success in a situation which requires excellent or improved performance.
• If you are affiliation motivated, you may be volunteering because you like being with someone else and enjoy mutual friendships.
• If you are influence motivated, you might be volunteering to have an impact or influence on others.

Whatever your motivations, we're glad you're here!

The Master Internet Volunteer Program was developed by the University of Minnesota Extension Service and was adapted for use in North Dakota with permission. Copyright  © 2001  North Dakota State University. All rights reserved.

North Dakota State University Extension Service