The informal learning that older (age 50+) men experience in Australia has been the subject of a suite of recent, intensive, mixed methods research projects in community-based voluntary organizations. The purpose of the research was to examine where men are learning in these contexts beyond work and formal education rather than to assume and…

Discusses the development of family centers in Great Britain by statutory and voluntary organizations. Includes a brief historical overview of family centers, current center models in practice, and issues related to centers. (RJC)

A programme designed to develop the capacity of voluntary agencies and community groups to deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG) on learning and work to their clients and members is outlined. Four forms of capacity building are distinguished: internal IAG capacity building, based on developing IAG resources within the agency or group…

Over the course of the last decade, Stockholm has witnessed the emergence of a number of voluntary organizations that are active in the field of crime prevention. This article describes the "Lugna Gatan" project, which was initiated in Stockholm in 1994. The idea was to create an organization comprised of young adults aged between 20 and…

The RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) in E. St. Louis is described. How the program got started, guidelines, funding information, and testimony from the volunteers themselves are included. (CT)

The Exodus Group is a volunteer community agency in Salt Lake City, Utah that provides emotional and material support for both ex-offenders and their families, and indirectly addresses reintegration and stigma issues. Descriptive statistics are provided to assess the characteristics of recidivists and non-recidivists, and to explain the recidivism…

In two chapters, this report describes the objectives of the Coalition for National Service, a group of individuals and organizations that support state and local youth service initiatives, foster discussion and debate on national service, and endorse a national service action agenda. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of the status of, and…

A handbook on the organizational structure and management practices of the Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA), is presented. An outline of LVA's structure and policies is presented as basic training for leaders before they begin the planning and operational phases. The activity of starting an affiliate is described with respect to interim…

The monograph describes the pursuit of change undertaken by a voluntary parent and community association for the purpose of modifying attitudes and services which were felt to be critical, lacking, and necessary to the benefit of mentally retarded individuals and their families. A discussion of the 5-year program includes theories of change, the…

This booklet has been prepared to aid communities that wish to start Voluntary Action Centers. It is a digest of experience to date. The 10 questions answered in the booklet are as follows: (1) What is a Voluntary Action Center?; (2) What does a Voluntary Action Center do?; (3) Who can start a Voluntary Action Center?; (4) What is the usual…

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program was evaluated from the standpoint of its impact on three groups: VISTA volunteers, communities served by VISTA sponsors, and sponsoring organizations to which VISTA volunteers are assigned. Survey questionnaires were sent to 1,250 of the 3,400 VISTA volunteers currently in service, 494 current…

This handbook addresses the activities of community volunteers in providing such services as orientation, counseling, enrichment programming, and English language training to foreign students. It is designed for those who would like to start a community organization of this type or who feel their present program would benefit from review and,…