Angela Miranda

Research Methods - Research Proposal

A Study Exploring the Relationship Between Volunteer
Motivations and Volunteer Satisfaction for Individuals Working
with ARISE and Ski
Introduction
Adaptive sport programs are starting to become more popular in the
USA. These programs largely rely on the support and action from
volunteers. One program specifically located in Fabius, NY at
Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center, called ARISE and Ski, an
adaptive ski program that assists individuals with an array of
disabilities participate in skiing, heavily relies on volunteerism.
Volunteers enable administrators to sustain current services and
expand both the quantity and diversity of services without exhausting
the agencys budget. (Goldberg and Cnaan, 1991) The amount
volunteers required at ARISE and Ski is high because each participant
in the Ski program needs at least one person to work with them and
teach them to Ski. One individual could require the attention of three
volunteers to Ski, if the organization has to pay them for all of their
time this activity would not be a success.

The question of why people volunteer for sporting events in general

has been asked for many years. We are asking the question: why do
people volunteer for adaptive sports? As an adaptive ski program that
is recognized by PSIA, Professional Ski Instructors of America, ARISE

and Ski has accumulated quite a few regular volunteers over the years.
These veteran volunteers have been drawn to ARISE and Ski for a
reason and have stayed for a reason. Although the motives that
initially influence people to volunteer may differ from those that
influence their decision to continue to volunteer (Gidron, 1984) it is
important to understand the initial motivation of those who remain as
volunteers for a long period. (Cnaan & Goldburg, 1991) With this study
we intend to find out the reasoning behind their initial volunteering and
retention to volunteering. We will also be looking at the satisfaction of
these volunteers and if the satisfaction is really what keep the
volunteers around. Using the Motivation to Volunteer Scale (MTV) we
intend to find out those reasons to help recruit and retain future
volunteers for ARISE and Ski. (Cnaan & Goldburg, 1991)

Literature Review
There has been a limited amount of research done on volunteer
motivations but over the years more and more studies are coming out
and being conducted. In South Africa in 2010 a study took place
looking at the motivation of volunteers for special events for people
with disabilities. (Suruijlal, 2010) This study found that the increase in
volunteering for special events for people with disabilities could be
attributed to the media coverage. (Suruijlal, 2010) The media is
bigger than ever and has positively impacted the way people in South

Africa see volunteering. (Suruijlal, 2010) This studys information was

collected by a modified version of the 28-item Special Event Volunteer
Motivation Scale (SEVMS) and the Likert rating scale. (Suruijlal, 2010)
The sample size form South Africa had both male and female samples
but it was mostly women. Of the total 152 surveyed, 41 were male and
111 were female. (Suruijlal, 2010) It was found that a 4-factor model
could be used to describe why people volunteer. (Suruijlal, 2010)
These four factors were external influences and free time, interaction
and achievement, altruism and diversion. (Suruijlal, 2010) From the
findings of this study the main reason people volunteer is to make a
contribution to the community and to help make the event a success.
(Suruijlal, 2010)

A similar study looking at the relationship between motivations,

enduring involvement and volunteer experience from Texas was
distributed from July to August of 2010. (Lu, 2014) The study was
distributed on the Internet, with a low return rate. This study has a
sample size of 315 but 735 surveys were distributed. (Lu, 2014) It
was found that membership motivation and volunteer experience
became stronger as involvement increase from this study. (Lu, 2014) It
was also found that members joined these volunteer organizations for
social networking, civic engagement, and self-enhancement. (Lu, 2014)

The Texas study was based on recreation organizations in general and

not organizations that serve individuals with disabilities specifically.

In 2011 a study was published about the volunteer motivations at the

National Special Olympics events. Volunteer information was collected
from the National Special Olympics held in Ames, Iowa in July 2006.
(Engelhorn & Khoo, 2011) Of the 8000 volunteers 289 volunteers
responded to (SEVMS) which was utilized to look at motivation and
volunteerism. (Engelhorn & Khoo, 2011) This study also was interested
in volunteers status of education, which is interesting to consider
when looking at volunteers. (Engelhorn & Khoo, 2011)

A study was conducted to investigate attributes of satisfaction and

motivation for volunteers at an elite sporting competition and the
implications of effective event management was taken by using a 28item Special Event Volunteer Motivation Scale. (Farrell, Johnston, &
Twynam, 1998) This study used a sample size of 300 randomly
selected from 900 volunteers. (Farrell, Johnston, & Twynam, 1998) This
study showed that the highest rated reasoning for volunteering was
attributed to making a difference and helping out. The highest ranked
reason to volunteer was I wanted to help make the event a success
which on their scale of 0.00 4.00 was rated 4.00. (Farrell, Johnston, &
Twynam, 1998)

Methods
The target population for this study will be the volunteers for the 20142015 Ski season at ARISE and Ski. Volunteers will be asked to
complete a survey once the 6-week ski program this winter ends.
Questionnaires will be given out to volunteers following the sixth
session while they are still at Toggenburg. Although volunteers may
have a shorter amount of time recall and to reflect upon their
experience, this strategy will help combat the common statistic of low
return rate on surveys. It has been demonstrated by past studies that
Internet and mail surveys are usually not good for a high number of
survey returns. In the study, about the three Texas recreational
organizations only 315 of the 735 volunteers responded via online
methods. (Lu, 2014) Our goal is to get a response from each individual
that volunteers with ARISE and Ski since there already seems to be a
vast population.

Our survey instrument will tackle the topics of volunteer motivation,

volunteer satisfaction and demographic information including
education status. The MTV scale (Cnaan & Goldberg, 1991) has been
chosen to measure ARISE and Ski volunteer motivations because it has
been used by a large number of researchers in many different studies
from recreational and specialty recreational. This scale is made up of

28 items that are related to volunteer motivations. Volunteer

satisfaction will be measured using a scale based on Farrell, Johnston &
Twynams (1998) study about volunteer satisfaction. For this study we
will only be using 26 of Farrell, Johnston & Twynams 28 original items.
There will be 2 items omitted from the ARISE and ski questionnaire
because they are not relevant to volunteering with an adaptive sports
program. We will also be adding a section for demographics at the end
of the survey just for the organizations knowledge. There will also be a
section for the volunteer to write any other comments that they have
about the survey and the program in general.

Significance and Conclusion

For a company and program that heavily relies on volunteers in order
to function, looking at motivations of volunteers is key for the future
success and future in general for ARISE and Ski. In the future it will be
important to know why their volunteers have come to be apart of their
organization and why they have chosen to stay at with this
organization. It is also important to collect this information so we can
find out what the volunteers do not like about the situations and find
possible ways to improve the program that is already long standing. It
will also be beneficial for ARISE and Ski to see any additional
comments that their volunteers may have about their program and if

any of their volunteers have any suggestions that would improve their
program and volunteer conditions.
References Cited
Cnaan, R., Goldburg, R., (1991). Measuring Motivation to Volunteer in
Human Services. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. 27(3) 269-284.
Engelhorn, R., Khoo, S., (2011). Volunteer Motivations at a National
Special Olympics Event. Physical Activity Quarterly, 28, 27-39.
Farrell, J., Johnston, M., Twynam, G., (1998). Volunteer Motivation,
Satisfaction, and Management at an Elite Sporting Competition.
Journal of Sport Management, 12, 288-300.
Gidron, B. (1984). Predictors of Retention and Turnover Among Service
Volunteer Workers. Journal of Social Service Research, 8(4), 1-16.
Lu, J., (2014). Examining the relationship Between Motivation, Enduring
Involvement and Volunteer Experience: The Case of Outdoor
Recreation Voluntary Associations. Leisure Sciences, 36(1) 68-85.
Surujlal, J. (2010). Volunteer Motivation in Special Events for People
with Disabilities. African Journal for Physical, Health Education,
Recreation and Dance, 16(3), 460-470.
Appendices
Rate the following on a scale from 1-4. (4= Very true, 1= Not
true at all)
1. It is Gods expectation that people will help each other.
2. If I did not volunteer there would be no one to carry out this
volunteer work.
3. I did not have anything else to do with my time.
4. I was lonely
5. I have more free time (i.e. kids have left home, retired, widowed,
divorced)
6. I wanted to gain some practical experience toward paid
employment (or new career)
7. I wanted to broaden my horizons.
8. Volunteering for others makes me feel better about myself.
9. Volunteering in this agency provides challenging activities.
10.
Most people in my community volunteer.

11.
Helping people in need improves me attitude regarding my
own life situation.
12.
Volunteering creates a better society
13.
My employer-school expects their employees-students to
provide volunteer community service.
14.
Volunteering is an opportunity to change social injustices
15.
Volunteering is an opportunity to develop relationships with
others.
16.
Volunteering is an opportunity to work with different age
groups.
17.
Volunteering is an opportunity to do something worth while
18.
Volunteering is an opportunity to return good fortune.
19.
A relative or friend is/was a client of this agency.
20.
I have past experience providing similar service.
21.
I am able to relate better to the patients/residents
situations because of my own similar experience.
22.
This volunteering gives me an opportunity to vary my
weekly activities.
23.
Previous contact with professionals in this agency.
24.
Volunteering for this agency enables it to prove more care
for less money.
25.
Its a way to continue a family tradition of helping in need.
26.
This is an excellent educational experience.
Gender:
Age:
Highest Education level completed:
Ethnicity:
Years volunteering:
Any further comments about the survey or your opinion of the ARISE
and Ski program in general:
(Adapted from Cnaan & Goldburg MTV scale 1998)