"Investing in Volunteerism: The Impact of Service Initiatives in Selected Texas State Agencies"
A report prepared for the TX Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service by The RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas by Sarah Jane Rehnborg, Catherine Fallon and Benjamin Hinerfeld 2002

While the general public recognizes the volunteer labor force as the backbone of the nonprofit sector, fewer realize that 25 to 30% of volunteer efforts are directed towards public sector service. Part of a growing body of research on volunteers in the public sector, “Investing in Volunteerism: The Impact of Service Initiatives in Selected Texas State Agencies,” sheds light on the role of volunteer initiatives in Texas state government. The study, conducted by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas at Austin for the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, provides a qualitative analysis of the work volunteers perform for selected state agencies and the management structures governing volunteer involvement. It reviews the data these programs collect about their volunteer involvement.

Using a 46-question survey instrument, the researchers contacted volunteer program personnel at 22 Texas state agencies and one nonprofit (Texas CASA) that works closely with the state court system and receives state appropriations. Survey responses were received from twenty of the twenty-two organizations approached with eighteen agencies reporting some level of volunteer program activity. Respondents from the eighteen agencies with programs provided details on thirty-three different community-based initiatives. From the surveys, a “snapshot” of volunteerism in the state of Texas emerged.

Other e-Volunteerism Articles

This article was published in e-Volunteerism: The Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community. Subscribe now to access all the articles.

Concerned about whether you can view an electronic book? Viewing the terms of agreement below is a good test to see if you can easily view electronic books. If you can successfully click on the link and open the table of contents, you should have no problem viewing the book. Terms If you have problems, you probably need to install or upgrade Acrobat Reader. Click on the graphic below to download the latest version from the Adobe website. It is an easy download. They also have a support area if you continue to have problems with viewing.