Paw’s Pantry is a private food bank ran by Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis and is actively seeking to increase volunteer numbers. My main focus when researching and writing on this topic was rewards given by organizations to their volunteers.
Volunteer Motivation It is hard to tell exactly what motivates someone to give their time and effort to an organization. There are many factors that play a significant role in a person’s decision to volunteer. Experts are in general agreement that people are more motivated by receiving some sort of compensation for their time. Others claim that the person volunteering is doing it because they are looking to make their resume’s appearance better for their future career. While studying…show more content… values; understanding; enhancement; career; social; and protective. However researchers Erin Moore, Samantha Warta, and Kristen Erichsen found that age, race/ethnicity, sex, personality traits, and various academic-related elements have been identified as factors related to a higher likelihood of volunteering.
Furthermore each of the of the authors present their own ideas on what they think determines what is truly behind someone’s motivation to volunteer for an organization. They each have a different perspective or view and they each make valid points. Dr. Hajnalka Fényes and Gabriella Pusztai both of the University of Debrecen in Hungary provide what they believe the four main criteria for volunteering truly is. “It is free of charge, thus paid work can be excluded. However, it is possible to sponsor organizations employing volunteers and the costs emerging during the work can be written off. The definition of volunteering does not imply work carried out on a mutual basis with relatives, friends or neighbors. Produces material, intellectual goods or services for the benefit of others (individuals or groups), or for public good or for a ‘specific…show more content… One aspect discussed by Erin Moore, Samantha Warta, and Kristen Erichsen claimed that, “in-dividuals may volunteer for various reasons; students may volunteer because they genuinely want to help others, for personal rewards such as improving their career”. Other authors like Mellissa K. Hyde found that Motives were consistent with previous research such as wanting to help others (Auld, 2004; Serow, 1991),developing skills for employment (Gage 8-Thapa, 2012; Holdsworth, 2010), and religious or moral values (Gillespie & King, 1985). Only these authors were in agreement that some form of reward or compensation played a role in
