Murray State Theses and Dissertations
Abstract
An organization’s volunteer development program can serve as a useful tool in the P-20 framework to address transitional gaps preventing smooth and consistent movement of individuals from traditional education to career attainment. Utilizing Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this qualitative study revealed volunteer motivation effectively resolved needs that work toward Self-Actualization. Satisfied needs, addressed by the volunteer experience, places the organization as a relevant partner in the P-20 framework to resolve career attainment goals. The volunteer makes the gift of time, skills, experience, and knowledge based on personal preferences to the organization’s work. Partnerships are achieved through volunteer engagement. This engagement serves as a P-20 component that may be used at any time in the life course of the individual. The knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired by the individual make the individual career-ready through the experiential learning construct. Wild Horse and Burro Program (WHBP) volunteers acted in efforts to satisfy hierarchical needs, only emerging to serve after Physiological and Safety Needs were gratified. Volunteers demonstrated an inclination to satisfy Esteem and Cognitive Needs. Phenomenological data revealed volunteer attitudes, approaches, and values. WHBP, a member of the P-20 framework, augments learning experiences through a volunteer development program. The results of this study complement the existing body of research of organizational volunteer development programming and relevancy of the volunteer programming to address P-20 needs.
Year manuscript completed
2021
Year degree awarded
2021
Author's Keywords
P-20, volunteerism, organization, program development, partnership, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Dissertation Committee Chair
Kimberly A. Bellah
Committee Chair
Kimberly A. Bellah
Committee Member
Brian Parr
Committee Member
John G. Massey
Document Type
Dissertation
Recommended Citation
Wood, Dominique P., "Understanding Volunteer Motivations to Serve" (2021). Murray State Theses and Dissertations. 237.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/etd/237
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Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Community-Based Learning Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Education Policy Commons, Other Education Commons, Service Learning Commons, Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons, University Extension Commons, Vocational Education Commons