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Improving Volunteerism Through a Narrative Inquiry of the Black Volunteer Perspective

Kelly Wicker, Katrina
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0700-195X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1696612446083966

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, Educational Administration.
Attracting and retaining volunteers is essential to the success of any non-profit organization, including the church, and is critical to broadening our understanding of volunteer behaviors across all racial groups. Most volunteer activities are affiliated with faith-based organizations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Blacks account for 9.11% of all volunteers, with 41.2% focusing those efforts on religious organizations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015; Congressional Digest, 2006). Understanding the behaviors and motivations of different volunteer segments becomes even more important when endeavoring to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Though nearly 63 million Americans volunteer yearly, this number is declining, impeding nonprofit organization's ability to service those in need (Do Good Institute, 2018). The primary purpose of this narrative inquiry was to learn more about the factors driving change in volunteer behaviors to increase outcomes. The perspective of an underrepresented population informed the narrative regarding volunteer behaviors and motivations. The data collection method used was a focused inquiry through semi-structured interviews of a purposive sampling. To analyze the data, a thematic review was completed, identifying recurring themes and patterns. The thirteen interviews provided insight into volunteer behaviors from the perspective of the Black church volunteer. Two emerging themes aligned with the literature review: prosocial motivation and recognition/appreciation. Other emergent themes were dissatisfaction with unclear objectives, lack of provisions and communications, and community outreach and engagement. Several questions were explored, including why people volunteer and cease volunteering, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volunteer engagement, specific barriers to volunteering, and how church culture influences volunteer behavior.
Kevin Kelly (Committee Chair)
Wen Qi (Committee Member)
Carla Campbell-Jackson (Committee Member)
104 p.
African American Studies; African Americans; Black Studies; Clergy; Education; Religion; Religious Congregations; Social Research; Social Structure
Nonprofit Organizations (NPO); Volunteer; Volunteerism; Underrepresented Populations; Underrepresented Groups; Faith-based; Church; Black Church; Religious; Religion; Black Volunteers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kelly Wicker, K. (2023). Improving Volunteerism Through a Narrative Inquiry of the Black Volunteer Perspective [Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1696612446083966

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kelly Wicker, Katrina. Improving Volunteerism Through a Narrative Inquiry of the Black Volunteer Perspective . 2023. University of Dayton, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1696612446083966.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kelly Wicker, Katrina. "Improving Volunteerism Through a Narrative Inquiry of the Black Volunteer Perspective ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1696612446083966

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1696612446083966
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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.