Compared correlates of retirement satisfaction for married and widowed rural women. Increase in voluntary association memberships and health were predictors of retirement satisfaction for both groups. Other predictors of satisfaction included financial adequacy, frequency and certainty of aid from friends for married women, and maintenance of…

Successful park and recreation organizations rely on citizen boards and commissions whose membership includes effective and efficient leaders. To develop leadership skills, a training program for these boards is described; steps to establish and organize such a program are given. (JL)

Describes the background of Literacy Canada-Laubach, a voluntary agency working toward 100 percent literacy, as well as Canadian research on adult illiteracy and the background of political support for this issue. Makes eight specific recommendations to the Canadian government on such topics as a National Literacy Council, funding, and materials…

Hospice patient/family volunteers responded to personality questionnaires prior to training and to measures of death understanding and coping before and after training. Results showed that the volunteers were relatively low in anxiety, internally controlled, and empathetic before training. Following training, volunteers reported better…

As parents expect schools to take greater responsibility for their children, schools must demand parent involvement that goes beyond volunteerism. To close the growing distance between home and school, parental energies have been channeled into diverse activities, including alcohol education programs, monthly newsletters, tutoring, field trips,…

Describes KID-ABILITY, the sexual abuse prevention program of the Girls' Club of America, now being expanded to other youth-serving organizations nationwide, which aims to increase children's self-esteem and confidence, and help children learn how to assess and obtain help in problem situations. (Author/BB)

Describes characteristics of dyslexics and contributions to understanding their special needs provided by Orton's research. Insights into needs of adult dyslexics based on classroom experiences are summarized, their implications for librarians are suggested, and provision of special training for tutors in Dane County (Wisconsin) public library…

Several suggested activities from the National Parent Teacher Association are suggested for involving parents in education. Categories discussed include: parents as participants in their children's education; parents as school volunteers and supporters; and parents as participants in decision making. (CB)

Describes the Potteries Elderly Support Group, a small-scale, locally based initiative in England, which relieves relatives, one day a week, of some of the pressures associated with caring for an elderly mentally infirm person. Details the rationale for the group and describes how it has been funded, staffed, and operated. (JAC)

As the right of disabled adults to education is increasingly recognized, efforts are being made in many areas to help them overcome some of the barriers to access. This article describes such a scheme conducted in Great Britain. (Author/CT)

Describes successful volunteer programs that use parents to help expand curriculum, improve academic achievement, and free teachers to make better use of their teaching time. Includes a list of key elements to consider when setting up such programs. (MD)

Discusses a four-session workshop which helps middle school students realize the value of volunteerism for career exploration and skill development. Describes how to find a volunteer job, how to apply, guidelines for successful volunteering, and documenting volunteer experiences. (JAC)

Describes a peer tutoring remedial reading program established at the high school level. Reports marked improvement in reading for both students and tutors. (RBW)

An elementary school and a high school get together to their mutual benefit. (Editor)

In an effort to better understand the attitudes and behaviors of young people in America around volunteering, service-learning and other forms of community involvement, the Corporation for National and Community Service, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau and Independent Sector, conducted the Youth Volunteering and Civic Engagement…