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HRPYC81

Research report for project: PYC4809

Title: What motivates people to do volunteer work?

Examination period: October/November 2013

Contents

What motivates people to do volunteer work?

Abstract

Introduction

The motivation of people to volunteer has long fascinated those researching and working alongside volunteers. Understanding the motivational drives of those who volunteer has long been a recurring theme preoccupying much of literature on volunteering. According to research by Esmond and Dunlop (2004), what actually motivates a person to volunteer is a complex and vexing question, yet understanding these motivations can be of great assistance to organisation. Every year millions of people around the world give of their time and energy to make a difference through volunteering (Esmond, 2004).

The types of volunteer activities engaged in by people are as varied as the volunteers themselves and their value to their communities and society as a whole remains immeasurable. Understanding the underlying motivational drives of those who volunteer has been a recurring theme preoccupying much of literature on volunteering. So what is it that motivates and moves people into action, to get up, to go and to volunteer? An examination of previous research investigating this complex issue follows.

Literature review

According to tutorial letter 103 for HRPYC81 (2013, p.5), “Volunteerism may be defined as contributing one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, social, political, or other worthwhile purposes, usually in one’s community, freely and without regard for compensation”(US Encyclopedia).

In Tutorial 103 for HRPYC81 (2013, p.5) a “…a ‘volunteer’ is someone who contributes time to helping others with no expectation of pay or other material benefit to herself” (Wilson & Musick, 1999, p. 141).

It

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