ABSTRACT

Volunteers are a critical resource for many types of organizations and efforts need to be made to ensure they are satisfied with their experience. Using data from an online survey of 651 animal shelter volunteers this research explores the role of volunteer input or “voice” in the policies and practices of organizations, and its impact on satisfaction with the volunteer experience. The findings indicate that volunteers more negative about their opportunities for voice were significantly less satisfied with their experience overall. Further, there appears to be a relationship between the nature of the animal shelter and satisfaction with voice and the volunteering experience. Indeed, internal shelter factors are more important to volunteer satisfaction than the traits of the individual volunteer. Specifically, volunteers are more satisfied with their experience and with the extent of their opportunity for voice if they are at a limited intake shelter with higher save rates. Informed by survey data, this research recommends shelters implement several policies and practices to improve satisfaction with volunteer voice.

摘要

志愿者是许多类型组织的重要资源，需要努力确保他们对自己的经历感到满意。本研究使用来自 651 名动物收容所志愿者的在线调查数据，探讨志愿者投入或“声音”在组织的政策和实践中的作用，及其对志愿者体验满意度的影响。研究结果表明，志愿者对他们的发言机会持更消极的态度，对他们的整体体验的满意度要低得多。此外，动物收容所的性质与声音满意度和志愿服务体验之间似乎存在关联。事实上，内部庇护所因素对志愿者的满意度比个体志愿者的特征更重要。具体来说，如果志愿者在储蓄率较高的有限收容所中，他们会对他们的经历和发言机会的范围更加满意。根据调查数据，这项研究建议庇护所实施多项政策和做法，以提高对志愿者声音的满意度。