The purposes of this study were to (a) identify which independent variable (volunteer motivation, demographic characteristics, volunteer involvement, and volunteer satisfaction) was the best predictor of the dependent variable; and (b) to explore the relationship (association) among the four independent variables.
The objectives of this study were to (a) describe the demographic characteristics of Ohio's adult 4-H volunteers; (b) describe the degree of volunteer motivation, volunteer involvement, volunteer satisfaction and organizational commitment; (c) determine whether various demographic characteristics showed a different degree of volunteer motivation, volunteer involvement, volunteer satisfaction and organizational commitment; (d) determine the best predictor of the dependent variable; and (e) examine the relationship between any two of the independent variables.
Three hundred forty two adult 4-H volunteers were randomly selected and surveyed from 12 of Ohio's counties. One hundred seventy one useable questionnaires were returned.
Adults who are female, married with children, middle aged, high school graduates, previous 4-H members and had an annual family income between S30,000 and $50,000 are more like to volunteer for 4-H.
Of the six sub-variables of volunteer motivation, Ohio adult 4-H volunteers scored the highest on value motivation. The shorter the length of service and younger the adult 4-H volunteers, the higher the degree of career motivation Adult 4-H volunteers who had high volunteer motivation had some high school or were a high school graduate, served more than 10.1 hours per month as 4-H volunteers and bad a an annual family income less than $40,000. Adult 4-H volunteers who had high volunteer involvement had other family members who were also 4-H volunteers, served more than 10.1 hours per month and had an annual family income of less than $40,000. Adult 4-H volunteers who had high volunteer satisfaction have no children currently enrolled in 4-H, were pervious 4-H members, served more than LO. I hours per month and had m annual family income less than $40,000. Adult 4-H volunteers who had high organizational commitment had high some high school or high school graduate. Volunteer involvement was the best predictor of organizational commitment, and volunteer satisfaction was the second best predictor.