On-Line Discussion: Volunteer Involvement in Local Government
Morgen A Ahearn
Gasley, Beth and Jeffrey L. Brudney: “Volunteer Involvement in Local Government after September 11: The Continuing Question of Capacity”
Background of article:
· 1990’s: extensive promotion of volunteerism
o Creation of federal & state infrastructure to support government volunteer activities
o Moderate increase in volunteerism (although tough to measure whether new volunteers or same volunteers in new sectors)
· 2003 survey of volunteer involvement in Georgia local government
VS
· 1990 study
· September 11, 2001: small but positive impact on volunteer utilization, but:
§ Political and labor resistance to government volunteers unresolved
§ Public managers’ concerns that they lack funding and staff to utilize volunteers
· Therefore suggests government capacity is the greatest obstacle to more volunteer involvement in local governments
o Takes time and resources to appoint, orient, train, supervise (in some cases, insure) volunteers
o Difficult to find projects that can be done by temporary volunteer staff who may not be able to be given access to systems/information
Questions:
1. What is your personal experience with regard to volunteers in your organization?
· Have they been helpful? If so, how? If not, why?
· Have volunteers put pressure on existing employees who may need to help appoint, orient, train, and/or supervise volunteers in your organization?
· What kinds of jobs can volunteers do in your organization?
o Do volunteers occupy any jobs that may have formerly belonged to paid employees?
§ If so, has this created any conflict with labor and management within your organization?
· Have you seen an increase in volunteer utilization in your (or local organizations that you may be associated with) organization since 9/11?