VolunteerToday.com ~~ The Electronic Gazette for Volunteerism MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISION Find tips to oversee the work of volunteers and practical suggestions to supervise them. Everything from ideas to help you work more efficiently to the latest in research on keeping volunteers happy and productive. ~March 2003 ~ Topics Giving and Receiving in the USA Resources to Build Youth Volunteering Whence the Faith-Based Initiative? Advice for United Way GIVING AND RECEIVING IN THE USA Independent Sector (IS) has released the Executive Summary of their poll on giving and volunteering in the United States. Every other year since 1988, the Washington, DC based organization has studied a random sample of Americans over the age of 21 to determine their philanthropic activities. Here are some details from the most recent study: 44% of US adults volunteered with a formal organization within the last 12 months 30% gave about 30 hours or more in the previous month The higher the income the more the inclination to volunteer Volunteers with religious organizations gave 16 hours per month of their time Religious affiliation was a good predictor of giving; 65% of those with religious affiliation were donors to charity, while 34% of those without a religious affiliation were donors 57% of those who had volunteered as youth were adult volunteers, while 43% of those without youth volunteering experience were volunteering as adults People aged 30 – 64 were more likely to volunteer than those under 30 or over 64 The Executive Summary is available from Independent Sector on Washington State University's website and by calling the IS Publication Center at 1-888-860-8118. Return to the Menu RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUTH VOLUNTEERING A recent issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy did extensive reporting on the state of youth volunteering (January 9, 2003). One of the best parts of the article was an extensive list of recent publications to help those who are interested in enhancing their youth volunteer program or building a new one. Here are the best four items: Best Practices in Youth Philanthropy, Garza and Stevens. This is a report that discusses lessons learned from youth philanthropy programs. Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service: Findings and Recommendation for Encouraging a Tradition of Voluntary Action Among American’s Youth. Independent Sector. Or call 1-888-860-8118. Small fee for members and non-members. Growing Up Generous: Engaging Youth in Giving and Serving. Roehlkepartain, Naftali, and Musegades. Alban Institute. Or call 1-800-486-1318. Youth in Decision Making: A Study on the Impacts of Youth on Adults and Organizations. Calvert, McDaniel, Topitzes, Zeldin. University of Wisconsin at Madison. Return to the Menu WHENCE THE FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE? President George W. Bush has unleashed his “army of compassion” by signing an executive order to order the government departments and agencies to loosen restraints on religious charities that seek and obtain federal money. His controversial decision seems to bring to an end two years of wrangling with Congress over this issue. One aspect of the order allows faith-based groups to follow their religious views in hiring and would allow the construction of chapels or places of worship in facilities where those programs are used. The White House maintains that the purpose of the order was to put faith-based groups on equal footing with secular organizations for social service dollars. In that no Congressional approval is required of an executive order, federal government departments are revising guidelines, regulations, and internal agency procedures to allow religious charities to compete for funds. For more information on this visit the White House web site. Return to the Menu ADVICE FOR UNITED WAY “The United Way System at the Crossroads: Community Planning and Allocation,” by Kirsten Gronbjerg, Lori Harmon, Aida Olkkonen, and Asif Raza is a study to understand how organizational structure impacts the United Ways’ ability to respond to change. It includes finding of facts and loads of advice. One suggestion, among many, suggests the organization cultivate relationships with groups that do not currently have vested interests in how funds are allocated. For more information on this study contact Kirsten A. Gronbjerg at kgronbj@indiana.edu. Return to the Menu WSU ONLINE CERTIFICATE IN VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT Washington State University offers a Volunteer Management Certification Program through the Internet. Individuals around the world can earn a certificate in managing or coordinating volunteers, without leaving home. For more information, visit Volunteer Today's Portal site, Internet Resources. Look for the Washington State University listing. There is a hot link to their Web site. ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT VOLUNTEER MANAGERS SEEKS MEMBERS The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG) is an association of administrators, coordinators and directors of volunteer programs in local government. Its purpose is to strengthen volunteer programs in local government through leadership, advocacy, networking and information exchange. NAAVPLG is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties and is seeking affiliate status with the National League of Cities. Cost is $20 for individuals and $75 for group local government membership. An affiliate membership is $25 and is intended for those who are not local government members but may have an interest in the group. There is a quarterly newsletter, national network, and access to NACo's Volunteerism Project. For more information contact Robin Popik, who is a Volunteer Resource Supervisor. She can be reached by phone at 972-941-7114. Be sure to mention you read about this in Volunteer Today. Return to Top A Service of MBA Publishing 925 "E" Street Walla Walla, WA 99362 VOICE : (509) 529-0244 EMAIL: editor@volunteertoday.com All materials copyright protected ©2003 The content of all linked sites are beyond the control Volunteer Today and the newsletter assumes no responsibility for their content.