Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 Developing Generation-Based Volunteer Management Practices Tonya Renee' Howard Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, and the Public Administration Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Tonya Renee’ Howard has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Barrett Mincey, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Clarence Williamson, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Mark Gordon, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Developing Generation-Based Volunteer Management Practices by Tonya Renee’ Howard MPA, Troy University, 2000 BA, Spelman College, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2016 Abstract Many nonprofits seek a volunteer base that includes the experience and maturity of the Silent and Baby Boomer Generations as well as the creativity and advanced technological knowledge of Generations X, Y, and Z. Published literature recommends implementing multigenerational volunteer programs to increase the representation of multiple generations. However, there is no literature providing guidance to create volunteer management practices that simultaneously recruit and retain those generations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of 5 generations of volunteers. The research questions for this phenomenological study addressed perspectives that may contribute to developing generation-based volunteer management practices. The theoretical framework included Mannheim’s theory of generations and generational cohort theory, and Strauss-Howe generational theory, which suggest that an individual’s generational classification influences his or her experiences of recruitment and retention. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 participants from 5 generations who currently volunteer or have recently volunteered in a nonprofit. Data were coded and categorized for thematic analysis using Moustakas’ method. Findings indicated that many of the generational cohorts shared similar experiences in how they prefer to be recruited and retained. However, each cohort expressed a distinct need for generation-specific volunteer management practices. The implications for social change include informing volunteer resource managers of the importance of developing generation-based volunteer management practices, in order to recruit and retain multiple generations of volunteers. Developing Generation-Based Volunteer Management Practices by Tonya Renee’ Howard MPA, Troy University, 2000 BA, Spelman College, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University February 2016 Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my family and friends. I would like to say a special thank you to: my mother, Mrs. Julia Howard; my sister, Ms. Kendra Howard; and my niece, little Miss. Desiree’ Hudson. Their words of wisdom and encouragement helped me to press pass when I simply felt like giving up. I am grateful for them understanding the challenges that were posed at times, to simply get through this dissertation journey. I also dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my wonderful father, Mr. Kenneth Howard. I have felt his love and support all the way from heaven. I also dedicate this dissertation to my extended family, friends, former church family, and current church family, whose support has definitely helped me to get through this process. I will always appreciate all that you have done for me to keep me focused, prayed for, and determination to finish strong. I would like to give a special thanks to my fiancé, Mr. Alzay Calhoun, for allowing me to display emotions that I never thought existed. He has been my biggest “cheerleader”, and for that, I am truly grateful. Finally, I dedicate this work to all of the selfless Volunteer Directors/Managers who are in continued pursuit of ensuring that volunteer management continues to be relevant among thriving nonprofit organizations’ volunteer programs. Acknowledgments I wish to thank my committee members who were more than generous with their expertise and time. A special thanks to Dr. Barrett Mincey, my committee chair for his countless hours of mentorship, resources, edits, constant encouragement, and continued patience through this entire process. I would like to give a personal “thank you” to my second committee member, Dr. Clarence Williamson for his immediate support of my study, and for believing in me. Thank you to my URR support, Dr. Shirley Baugher, Dr. Tanya Settles, and Dr. Mark Gordon for their special insight and assurance that I’ve been compliant every step of the way. I would like to thank all of the nonprofit organizations who allowed me to utilize their volunteers to conduct my research. Thank you to the research participants who allowed me to dig deeper into their volunteer experience. I would like to thank my wonderful cohort (both past and present): Dr. Bouyant Enyiorji, Deborah Almendarez, Peter Anglaare, Keith White, Barbara Valentine, LaLisa Anthony, Dinesh Sah, and Evelyn LaFalaise. They have each played an incredible part in encouraging me to reach the finish line. Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ i List of Tables................................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................1 Introduction .................................................................................................................1 Background .................................................................................................................4 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 11 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................. 12 Research Question ..................................................................................................... 12 Theoretical Framework for the Study ......................................................................... 13 Theoretical Foundation .......................................................................................... 13 Nature of the Study .................................................................................................... 15 Definitions ................................................................................................................. 17 Assumptions .............................................................................................................. 18 Scope and Delimitations ............................................................................................ 19 Limitations ................................................................................................................ 21 Significance ............................................................................................................... 23 Summary ................................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................... 28 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 28 Literature Search Strategy .......................................................................................... 29 i History of Volunteerism in the United States ............................................................. 31 18th-Century Volunteerism .................................................................................... 31 19th-Century Volunteerism .................................................................................... 32 20th-Century Volunteerism .................................................................................... 33 21st-Century Volunteerism .................................................................................... 34 Role of the Volunteer Resource Manager ................................................................... 34 General Strategies for Practicing the Three R s of Volunteer Management in the Nonprofit Sector ........................................................................................................ 35 Recruit ..................................................................................................................