Browsing by Author "Joseph, Bianca Monique"

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    Recruitment and retention of university student volunteers for South African community projects
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Joseph, Bianca Monique; Carolissen, Ronelle; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT : This study suggests that student volunteerism at South African (SA) universities is facilitated by a social justice orientation that inculcates active citizenship, parallel to developing graduate attributes that promote employability. Six community projects across three Western Cape universities were examined as case studies in order to investigate student motives for volunteering, along with the organisational and institutional structures supporting student volunteerism within the South African context. A mixed methodology was employed with the main focus on qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected with Likert scale items exploring the functional approach to volunteer motives among active volunteers (N = 70). Service learning students were viewed as student volunteers. However, the distinction between service learning and volunteer processes is highlighted. Project leaders (n = 14) were interviewed to gain insight into organisational structures and management styles. In some instances, focus groups (n = 3) were held with the leadership committee. Furthermore, key role players (n = 4) within each participating university were interviewed to investigate the university structures that facilitate student volunteerism. Data were triangulated. This study found that students’ reasons for volunteering were centred on the value function, citizenship and understanding function. In particular, students volunteer because they care about others, or they have a keen interest in the cause driven by the organisation (value function). Students also aim to help address social inequalities and express a sense of social responsibility (citizenship). Also, they volunteer because they want to learn about others and add depth and perspective to their knowledge (understanding function). The findings also suggest that both institutional and organisational support are needed to sustain volunteer involvement. Support is both structural and developmental as it aims to mitigate constraints to sustained participation. A framework for effective recruitment and retention of university student volunteers was compiled. The MECS 4-cornerstone model is my contribution to literature and practice. This study was conducted in response to the minimal research performed on the topic of recruitment and retention of student volunteers in South Africa. Also, the South African volunteer context is weighed down, among others, by challenges such as unemployment and poverty. The lack of funding within the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector results in a need for more volunteers and the successful execution of programmes. Universities, in turn, have been noted as rich sources from which to recruit potential volunteers. However, research has indicated that youth volunteerism is declining. These factors also contribute to the significance of this research study.