Unraveling the Volunteer Conundrum: Insights into Attracting and Retaining Volunteers in Dutch Society
Summary
This study investigates which factors influence volunteer satisfaction at Stichting Thuisgekookt, a non-profit organization that addresses neighborhood and care needs by connecting volunteers who enjoy coocking with individuals in need of hot meals. The research question guiding this study is: "Which specific benefits of volunteering are related to the high levels of volunteer satisfaction at Stichting Thuisgekookt?" Data was used from a 2024 impact measurement survey conducted by the organization, involving 293 volunteers who have been active for at least five months. The study also included an examination of the organizational structure and methods of Stichting Thuisgekookt. Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as guidance, three different aspects of volunteering were identified and Spearman’s rho was calculated between the different factors and volunteer satisfaction. Results indicated that social aspects of volunteering, fulfillment and sense of purpose were of positively related to volunteer satisfaction. Flexibility and autonomy also seemed to be of importance to the volunteers. Other organizations in the same category as Stichting Thuisgekookt, that strive to attract and retain more volunteers, should focus on improving fostering social connections, providing recognition, and enhancing flexibility.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Providing Quality Through Volunteers. On the importance of coordination in ensuring the quality of care provided by volunteers in a professional care organization.
Abspoel, B.L. (2014)This thesis focuses on how professional care organizations might coordinate their volunteers in such a way that quality of care is ensured. Through participant observation and interviews in an organization in which high ... -
Who volunteers? A study on the determinants of volunteering for refugee focused civil organizations, and gender differences within these determinants
Poppel, Thomas van (2023)Introduction: More refugees are crossing Dutch borders, with civil society accommodating their integration process. Volunteers are of increased importance in our contemporary society. Literature suggests people’s obtained ... -
Is Volunteering for Everybody? A comparative study of volunteering between the European population and immigrants, in terms of socialisation, employment, civic engagement and gender.
Fontaine, Fanny (2022)Many studies have been done on immigrant integration and much research has focused on volunteering and the motivation for it, but few have looked at the links between them, let alone compared the two. It is in this context ...