If their money and other assets are used effectively, voluntary organizations have an impact far beyond their proportionate size. The United States needs effective governments and a strong voluntary sector, but it will have neither if national leaders do not understand the differences in their functions. (Author/JOW)

Discusses the benefits and costs associated with participation in voluntary organizations. Suggests that understanding benefits and costs is important because they can be used to enhance performance in voluntary groups. Discusses implications of research and makes recommendations for further research. (Author/JOW)

Includes "Introduction to International Perspectives" (Allen); "Volunteerism in the Welfare State: The Case of Denmark" (Habermann); "Grassroots Organizing in Bangladesh" (Chowdhury); and "Volunteerism in Latin America" (Guerra). (SK)

Describes a work exchange experience between volunteer managers in Australia and Canada. Offers guidelines for initiating the program including developing a rationale and an exchange agreement. Discusses first impressions, initial problems, and differences and similarities between the two contexts. (JOW)

A 1992 survey of 1,042 Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA) members and a 2000 survey of 689 members and 340 nonmembers had similar results. Typical administrators were female, white, and middle aged. Most felt their jobs were satisfying and their volunteer management programs were highly effective. (JOW)

This paper presents a large-scale, comprehensive test of generalized trust across 31 nations. I pay particular attention to the theory and measurement of voluntary associations in promoting trust, hypothesizing that voluntary associations connected to other voluntary associations are more beneficial for the creation of generalized trust than…

The Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxins (ARET) Challenge was a voluntary program initiated in 1994 by the Government of Canada. Unlike the U.S. 33/50 Program, ARET involved industry partners in negotiation and cosponsorship of the program, with the intention that early involvement would yield stronger commitment to voluntary reductions. We…

Within this document are testimony and prepared statements delivered at a congressional subcommittee hearing in a Connecticut high school on a bill that would encourage volunteering by 15- to 26-year-olds by creating a National Youth Service Program. The bill is summarized within the document. The following individuals' presentations about how to…

This study was conducted to obtain information about volunteers' preferences for various recognition techniques. A survey of volunteers in 13 cultural arts, non-profit agencies located within the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Minnesota) area was taken during August and September, 1981. Of 212 questionnaires returned, 207 (approximately 72 percent of the…

The directory lists 66 national voluntary agencies which are involved either directly or indirectly in providing services for the mentally retarded. Each agency has described in its own words its activities, role, and relationship to the mentally retarded. Addresses and telephone numbers of the national office of each organization are also…

A representative spectrum of voluntary organizations in the field of adult education is contained in this directory. Criteria for an organization's listing were (1) attendance at the adult education Galaxy Conference in 1969, (2) membership in the Coalition of Adult Education Organizations, (3) the existence of adult and continuing education as a…

The author directs attention to the historical development of the relations between the government of the Netherlands and the various voluntary organizations in the fields of education and information directed toward adults. Four periods are distinguished, each comprising approximately 50 years. (CH)

The heterogeneous composition of student bodies at 2-year colleges can be an advantage for student volunteer activities. The advantages, problems and innovative approaches characterizing these activities at several junior colleges are discussed and pointed out as being different from those in 4-year colleges and universities. (MN)