Fall Only
Course Description
3 credits. Fall only. With approximately 1.4 million volunteers in the United States, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in community life and are an integral part of the economic, political and social structure of our nation. In 2014 roughly 62 million Americans volunteered 7.9 billion hours, the estimated value of this volunteer service is nearly $184 billion. Thus, the nonprofit venue offers a rich and viable employment opportunity on both a local and national level for our graduates to gain diverse and meaningful work experience, further their knowledge while making a positive contribution. In this course students compare volunteer management models and examine volunteer-dependent organizations. Students explore organizational recruitment practices, risk management policies and how to select, train, engage and recognize volunteers. Students examine volunteer management practices and make recommendations based on the theories and practices studied in class.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Compare and contrast models of volunteer management,
- Evaluate characteristics of volunteer management in a community organization,
- Analyze volunteer management practices using models, and
- Apply concepts of volunteer management to develop recommendations for improved volunteer experiences.
Course Materials
Text Books
- Conners, T.D. (Ed.). (2012). The Volunteer Management Handbook: Leadership Strategies for Success. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Yin, R.K. (2009). Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, Inc
Proposed Readings from Journals
- Boyce, M. (1971). A systematic approach to leadership development. Eric document service #ED065763. **primary text for ISOTURE model**
- Safrit, R.D., Schmiesing, R.J., Gliem, J.A., & Gliem, R.R. (2004). Core competencies for volunteer administration: An empirical model bridging theory with professional best practice. Journal of Volunteer Administration, 23(3), 5-15.
- Terry, B.D., Godke, R., Heltemes, B., & wiggins, L. (2010). Engaging volunteers through ISOTURES: Training volunteers for success in 4-H. Retrieved from : edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Assignments/Responsibilities and Assessment
Students will develop a case study of an organization that depends upon volunteers. They will examine the application of volunteer management theories within the organization and make recommendations based on their observation for increased volunteer satisfaction and organization success. Components of the case study will be collected and graded throughout the semester with a presentation of the case study as the final exam for the course. Students will be provided with a list of organizations that have agreed to have them observe but may choose another. Representatives from the organizations will be invited to presentations.
Other Information
Students will be responsible for adhering to the academic integrity policies found at academicintegrity.rutgers.edu.
It is important that students have the tools to succeed in this course. Please see the instructor *as soon as possible* with any difficulties or questions regarding the course materials. In addition, the Office of Student Affairs is available at studentaffairs.rutgers.edu for any other needs or concerns.
Course Schedule
Week 1
Topic: Introduction to Volunteer Management
Topic: Models of Volunteer Management
Pre-Readings: Chapter 1*
Week 2
Topic: ISOTURE Model of Volunteer Management
Pre-Readings: Boyce, M. (1971) – primary text for ISOTURE model
Topic: Introduction to Case Study Research
Pre-Readings: Yin (2009), read chapter 1, skim chapter 2
Week 3
Topic: Identification of Volunteers
Assignment: Reflection Journal Entry #1 due, mtgs 1–3
Topic: Identification of Volunteers
Week 4
Topic: Selection of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 6*
Topic: Selection of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 8*
Week 5
Topic: Orientation of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 9*
Assignment: I.S. Scenario due
Topic: Orientation of Volunteers
Assignment: Reflection #2 due, mtgs 5–8
Week 6
Topic: Training of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 10*
Topic: Training of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Terry (2010)
Week 7
Topic: Utilization of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 5*
Topic: Utilization of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 13*
Week 8
Topic: Recognition of Volunteers
Topic: Recognition of Volunteers
Assignment: Reflection #3 due, mtgs 9–14
Week 9
Topic: Evaluation of Volunteers and Their Management
Pre-Readings: Chapter 15*
Topic: Evaluation of Volunteers and Their Management
Pre-Readings: Chapter 16*
Assignment: U.R.E. Scenario due
Week 10
Topic: Policy in the Management of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 3*
Topic: Policy in the Management of Volunteers
Pre-Readings: Chapter 7* Reflection #4 due, mtgs 15–18
Week 11
Topic: Risk Management
Pre-Readings: Chapter 14*
Topic: Risk Management
Week 12
Topic: Collecting Case Study Evidence
Pre-Readings: Yin (2009), chapter 3
Assignment: P.R. Scenario due
Topic: Observation of Organization
Pre-Readings: Yin (2009), chapter 4
Week 13
Topic: Discussion of Observation
Pre-Readings: No reading assigned, students are organizing their notes and comparing to theory
Topic: Observation of Organization
Pre-Readings: No reading assigned, students are organizing their notes and comparing to theory
Week 14
Topic: Analyzing Case Study Evidence
Pre-Readings: Yin (2009), chapter 5
Topic: Reporting Case Study Evidence
Pre-Readings: Yin (2009), chapter 6
Week 15
Topic: Peer Review of work
Assignment: Submit scoring of peer's work
Topic: Student Presentations
Week 16
Topic: Student Presentations
Representatives from organizations invited
Topic: Student Presentations and Wrap-up
*All readings with just a chapter number are from The Volunteer Management Handbook by Tracy Connors.