Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Volunteers in the Public and Nonprofi t Sectors 143

Chapter Questions

1. Based on your reading, what are some of the organizational bene-
   fi ts associated with having volunteer programs? What are some of
   the organizational disadvantages associated with having volunteer
   programs? Do you believe the benefi ts outweigh the disadvantages?
   Explain your answer.


2. In small groups, choose three volunteer programs that you are
   familiar with based on your own experience or Internet research,
   and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. What challenges do
   the organizations face based on the types of services they provide?
   Which organization is likely to have a successful volunteer program?
   What recommendations would you make to improve the least
   successful program?

Online Activities

1. Visit the Web sites of the City of Virginia Beach and the Girl Scouts
   of America. What types of volunteer positions are available at the
   two organizations? Do they have similar application forms and
   screening requirements? Which Web site do you think is more effec-
   tive in attracting volunteers? Explain your answer.


2. Visit the Minnesota Council of Nonprofi ts Web site. What resources
   are available for volunteer programs? If you were asked to develop a
   volunteer program for an organization, what HRM practices would
   you implement?