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Y
After you have read this chapter, you should be able to:
Understand the importance of volunteers to strategic human
resources management
Discuss how volunteers assist public and nonprofi t organizations
Explain the variety of methods used to recruit volunteers
Understand volunteer motivations
Understand the roles of governing boards in nonprofi t organ-
izations
T
he tradition of volunteerism in the United States began with religious -
affi liated organizations and local government councils. Today nonprofi t
and public sector organizations provide volunteer opportunities ranging
from serving as board members of nonprofi t organizations to serving on
local government boards and commissions. Parents volunteer as coaches
for nonprofi t and municipality - sponsored sports and recreation activities,
and volunteers provide myriad services in public and nonprofi t cultural,
educational, social service, and health care agencies.
Volunteers assist employees in meeting their agency ’ s mission, and
thus become an important part of strategic human resources management