Explaining Retention in Community-Based Movement Organizations

An individual's initial acceptance of a recruitment pitch from a community-based social movement organization is usually based upon minimal information about the group and its efforts. It is only during the subsequent period of orientation that new members begin to learn more about the organization. During this period, the retention of new members is dependent on the successful alignment of individual and organizational frames. The failure to achieve such an alignment is likely to result in the new member's departure from the organization. This study explores the frame alignment process during early orientation to community-based SMOs. Using nineteen qualitative interviews with three different community organizing efforts in Baltimore, the study suggests that organizational members feel most motivated to continue involvement when they feel that the organization is effective.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology & Anthropology

Year dc:date.available

2004

Author dc:creator

• Diehl, Sarah Kathryn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. David Croteau

• Baltimore
• social movements
• frame alignment
• community organizing
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/987

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1986