Trends and Issues

Print periodicals in our field emerged in the late 1960s. What were the topics of interest back then? Browse the tables of contents of the forerunners of today's publications and discover what has changed--and what hasn't.

At a time of world crisis , this paper calls for proponents of volunteerism to join together in a rethink of priorities and programs. Managers of volunteer programs and volunteers are challenged to take a big picture approach and see volunteerism as a powerful tool in reassessing values and activities and in building constructive relationships between individuals, cultures and nations. As we know, volunteering provides citizens with the opportunity to take the initiative, have a voice and build community. Actions can be taken which focus attention on values and long-term goals that are important in life. Some examples of possible responses, covering a range of interest areas, are given as a starting point for readers who are keen to widen their horizons and institute initiatives aimed at making this world a more tolerant, equitable and cohesive society.

The refrain is heard time and time again in the groups and organizations of modern society. Schools have been crying out for ages about the shortage of math and science teachers. Corporations have been wailing about the lack of skilled workers. Community issues go un-addressed for lack of passionate people. There is a leadership crisis; a volunteer crisis, a "can't find the person I need when I need them" crisis. Why such a shortage of people?

Yet people increasingly ask us, "Why aren't there more leaders?" Why are people reluctant to answer the cry for leadership? ... We believe this cautiousness results not from a lack of courage or competence but from outdated notions about leadership. (Kouzes, Posner. The Leadership Challenge)

Recent events have made the public more aware of the role of volunteers in protecting lives and property during fires and emergencies. Throughout the U.S. and many other countries around the world, communities (particularly small, rural ones) depend on citizens to assume those duties. These volunteer roles demand extensive training, time and commitment. In these days of busy lives and young people leaving their small communities in large numbers, how are these all-volunteer or combination staff-volunteer fire stations faring? This article will examine the issues, and how these programs are adapting to changing times while remaining true to their volunteer roots!

Our previous issues have dealt with serious topics related to volunteerism, demonstrating the capacity of the Web to produce amazing amounts of useful material to assist managers of volunteer programs.

Of course, that's only one side of the Web. The other, more entertaining, side is discovered when you recognize that no matter how strange something is, you can find it somewhere on the Web. No matter how small, or how odd, or how unique, it's out there.

So here are some of our subjective favorites -- both the weird and the wonderful.

e-Volunteerism Publishing Editor, Susan Ellis, recorded answers to this question from attendees at the IAVE World Volunteer Conference in Amsterdam this year. You'll be amazed at how much we are in agreement!

Responses come from Venezuela, Nigeria, Spain, Netherlands, Mexico, Korea, Latvia, France, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.

Abstract

An innovative approach to raising funds burst onto the nonprofit scene a few years back.  Entitled "new philanthropy," it has enthusiastically been adopted by fundraisers wishing to raise the level of their success.  This article proposes that those responsible for enlisting volunteers adapt a "new philanthropy" approach to recruitment. A definition of new philanthropy is presented. This is followed by a step-by-step process for employing the features of the new philanthropy to ensure a good match between volunteer and organization.