Definitions of "Volunteer"

The word "volunteer" raises complex issues. Not everyone defines it the same way and many, many people who donate time and effort without financial reimbursement never apply the label of volunteer to themselves. In this section you will find a variety of resources discussing these issues from different perspectives. You may find it useful to see how we at Energize define what is -- and is not -- "volunteering" as well as the "Dimensions of Volunteering and Service."

Both Receiving and Giving, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2010

The Confusing Talk about "Service", Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2008

The Correlation between Time Donors and Money Donors, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2010

Government, Politicians, and the Use of the Word "Volunteer", Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2004

How We Define "Volunteer" for Energize...and What Is Not Volunteering to Us, Susan J. Ellis, President, Energize, Inc.

Identifying Who Is and Is Not a “Volunteer”, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2014

Keeping an Eye on Things in the Year Ahead, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2005

The Limits of the "V" Word, Sarah Jane Rehnborg, Energize Hot Topic, 1998

Microvolunteering Is Volunteering, Jayne Cravens, 2011

Jayne's response to the Sparked Blog post of Ben Rigby on Microvolunteering Is Not Volunteering

On Being a Dream-Catcher, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2000

The Perfect Volunteer Storm, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2012

Philanthropy, Civic Engagement, and the Lessons of Volunteering, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 1999

Redirecting Corporate Volunteering, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 1997

Save a Life, Win a Car! When Do Incentives to Volunteer Cross the Line?, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2005

The Self-Directed Volunteer, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2010

The Separation of Service-learning from Volunteering...and Does It Matter?, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2009

Start Early: Teaching Students about Volunteering, Not Simply Doing It, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2006

Statistics, Bikinis and Volunteers: The New Independent Sector Study on Giving and Volunteering, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 1999

That Pesky Word “Volunteer”, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2017

The Treasure Trove of Knowledge Philanthropists, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2013

Unskilled vs. Differently Skilled: Maximize Volunteer Differences, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2000

Volunteering We See but Don't Recognize, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2007

Watching, Helping and Learning from China, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2004

Who is Celebrating IYV? Connecting the "Streams of Service", Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2001

Why Can't We Make Progress on Public Perceptions about Volunteering?, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2005

The Word "Volunteer" Can Reveal, Conceal, or Confuse, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2010

"You Get What You Pay For", Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2010

"Youth Involvement" in Our Field, Susan J. Ellis, Energize Hot Topic, 2001

State of the World's Volunteerism Report 2011 (SWVR)

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the United Nations-declared "International Year of Volunteers," United Nations Volunteers (UNV) conducted an extensive research project to produce this unique overview of volunteering in 80 countries around the world. Sub-titled "Universal Values for Global Well-being," the report examines the important contributions of volunteers in diverse fields such as sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion, social cohesion and disaster risk reduction. By suggesting how volunteerism can be taken forward, the SWVR also provides an alternative vision of a better society.

Download chapter by chapter or the entire document.

, 2011, pp. 148

Understanding 'Service': Words in the Context of History and Culture

By Natasha Menon, Amanda Moore and Michael Sherraden, published by Center for Social Development/Global Service Institute.

, 2002, pp. 15

Volunteering and the Media: A review of the literature

By Joanna Machin of the Institute for Volunteering Research (UK) for the Voluntary Action Media Unit to identify research and information which address issues related to the image of volunteering and volunteers by the public and the media -- specific reference made to the images held by different social groups.

, 2005, pp. 47

Ashoka - Innovators for the Public

https://www.ashoka.org/

Network of social entrepreneurs worldwide.

Initiatives Opposed to Volunteering

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volunteer/antivolunteer.shtml

Jayne Cravens has been collecting information for years on initiatives opposed to some or all volunteering (unpaid work), or ALL kinds of volunteering, including unpaid internships at nonprofit organizations/charities. It is also a list of online and print articles about or addressing controversies regarding volunteers replacing paid staff. Most of the links are to initiatives or actions in Europe or the USA. She keeps it updated, too.

This list has been compiled to help researchers regarding volunteerism, as well as for policy makers and volunteerism advocates who want to avoid these kinds of controversies at nonprofit organizations and government agencies. This list is also compiled to refute those who believe that there are no such controversies (believe it or not, those people DO exist).

Reality Check: Volunteering Abroad / Internationally

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volunteer/international.html

Jayne Cravens offers a cogent look at the various ways people can volunteer outside of their home countries, comparing the different types of programs (especially those in which the volunteer pays to serve and those that do not charge; short-term and extended stays) and linking to many resources.

Dimensions of Volunteering and Service

Don't use the word "volunteer"? Wonder if you fit into the larger volunteer world? If you are dependent on the voluntary involvement of participants, you are part of the volunteer world. "Dimensions of Volunteering and Service" is a map of the volunteer world. See where you fit in.

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