Voluntary, nongovernmental organizations must consider a number of issues, such as purpose and mission, philosophy, values and culture, organizational environment and structure, and growth and development, if they are to be creative and purposeful in their work. (JOW)

Explores ways in which predominantly female voluntary organizations are empowered to take on roles and responsibilities. Considers significance of volunteerism under a shift from state to free-market social services, through the eighteenth-century "civil society" concept, and an emerging "third-way" alternative. (SK)

Offers detailed guidelines that could be used as standard operating procedures for the merger of voluntary social service agencies. Discusses a survey of 32 agencies that merged during the years 1973 to 1986. Issues related to the roles of organization, staff, and service delivery in such mergers receive particular attention. (Author/BB)

An environmental initiative designed to increase the skill and knowledge levels of Peace Corps staff and volunteers is described. The objectives, accomplishments, strategies, and evaluation of the program are discussed. (CW)

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…

Lancashire Adult and Community Learning Alliance is developing a plan to mobilize a network of community and volunteer resources to promote lifelong learning. As a local authority, it has the capacity to facilitate joint solutions, access nonparticipants, and use prime community centers for service delivery. (SK)

A Spanish nutrition education program was taught to low-income Hispanic men and women in an informal program of English as a second language. Barriers were related to the dynamics of working with volunteer organizations, participant characteristics, and the pilot program's goals. Fitting nutrition instruction into program goals, dealing with low…

Children's services in England are undergoing a radical reorganisation. New arrangements for local authorities and statutory partners impact significantly on organisations in the voluntary and community sector that are encouraged to deliver more public services. Local voluntary organisations will need help to organise themselves and to build…

This booklet, developed to encourage young people to volunteer, presents a brief, informal overview of types of volunteer service for youth and information on where to find organizations in need of young volunteers. The following activities are suggested: working in hospitals; working with animal welfare organizations, zoos, or nature conservation…

This document records the oral and written testimony at three hearings on proposed legislation that would amend the National Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a corporation for national service, enhance opportunities for such service, and provide awards for participants in the program. Witnesses included the following: U.S. senators;…

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Summer Associates program enabled 708 people to work full time in low-income areas with 33 existing VISTA sponsors throughout the country for 8-10 weeks in direct service roles performing counseling, tutoring, community outreach, office work, surveys, and home construction. Associates served an average…

This resource guide provides an annotated list of publications on parenting and caring for children with special health needs, along with a list of organizations that can provide additional information. The list of publications includes 21 books, reports, bibliographies, directories, and periodicals produced between 1982 and 1988. Bibliographic…

An evaluation study was undertaken to obtain volunteer workers' perceptions of the impact of such service on their own lives, attitudes, and adjustments. A 20-item questionnaire was included with a quarterly Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) newsletter distributed to 1,075 RSVP members in the Greater St. Cloud area of Minnesota. The…

This handbook offers practical suggestions for advocates of individuals with developmental disabilities on how to: acquire basic training, recruit volunteers, influence decision makers, lend reinforcement to state and national initiatives, make and keep important contacts, and enlist new allies. Chapter titles include: "Why…

The directory of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is designed to provide artists with state-by-state basic information on income eligibility requirements, administrative fees, and legal services in the United States and Canada. The volume also indicates which groups give seminars, conferences, and workshops. Available publications and…