Investigates factors that members of organizational work teams (school administrators and personnel who volunteered to work with students with ongoing drug and alcohol problems) believe facilitate and inhibit group performance effectiveness. Finds that compatible work schedules, motivated group members, adequate informational resources, competent…

Fifteen older women involved as volunteers faced several barriers to participation: pain, disability, family obligations, assumptions about age, transportation, and different patterns and pace of life. Structural changes that would enhance older people's contributions to community life were suggested. (SK)

Boyd et al.'s survey of 309 4-H Club members indicates participation is positively related to leadership life skill development. Groff's evaluation of 4-H Teens Reaching Youth found this peer helper program developed leadership skills in teen volunteers who taught younger youth. (SK)

The article summarizes responses of 30 alumni directors to a survey concerning creative ways to recognize alumni and volunteers for outstanding service. Examples are given of specialized award categories, innovative award mementos, and special ceremonies. (DB)

Discusses how to plan and organize for volunteers and the many ways volunteers can help to improve reading instruction in the classroom. (MG)

Sought to determine whether student service volunteers (n=45) differ from other students (n=136) who are involved in extracurricular activities not of a service nature, and from those students (n=104) who are not involved at all. Students involved in volunteer community service activities displayed different demographic characteristics and…

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale assists underprepared college freshmen by employing the mentoring talents of retired faculty members, supplemented by a noncredit course stressing study skills and adjustment to college. Suggestions are provided for developing and orienting retired college faculty for similar programs. (MLH)

Notes that since 1970, Volunteer Counseling Service of Rockland County, New York, has pioneered innovative use of community laypeople to do high-level counseling for clients with wide range of serious social problems. Gives the history and an overview of the mechanics and model of work that have made this agency feasible. (Author/NB)

In effective principal preparation programs, interns are encouraged to observe a wide range of well-administered schools through exposure to varied styles. Mentors are carefully selected, highly competent professionals willing to accept the role of teacher, confidant, and role model. Mentors should volunteer; they should never be assigned.…

Survey responses from 185 recent college graduates indicate that career attainment is positively related to job skills improved through volunteering. Even though women volunteer more often than men, there are no differential effects on career attainment between men and women from improved skills through volunteering. (Author/JOW)

In the Befrienders program, young adults visited, interacted with, and assisted homebound, isolated older adults. Participants (20 younger, 22 older) and the seniors' family members identified numerous benefits and valued the intergenerational relationships that were formed. (SK)

Describes a program to reinforce the art-history curriculum; establish a volunteer habit; and impact students' self-esteem, communication, and leadership skills through service learning. Discusses student training and service as docents at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Texas), and comments on the skills that they acquire through the…

Asserts that lack of seriousness in recruiting board members for child care agencies can create problems with organizational effectiveness. Addresses the following: (1) Do we need more board members?; (2) What do we need from new members?; and (3) How do we begin recruiting? Provides resources, such as the "Child Care Agency Board Skill…

According to natural-language theory, reading and writing are learned from whole to part, in meaningful contexts. Strategies based on this theory for literacy tutors to use include Characteristics of Good Readers; Apperceptive Interactive Method; Prime-O-Tec (repeated readings); Knows, Wants, Learned, Confused; and List It and Skip It. (SK)

A few years ago, the Williamson County (Tennessee) School District developed a strategic plan to encourage volunteers' participation. The plan includes a vision, goals, and objectives; strategies for increasing community involvement; recognition for all volunteers (via the Shining Apple Award); and program evaluation. (MLH)