Motivations and Characteristics of Active and Nonactive Members Belonging to Natural Resource Nongovernmental Organizations

I surveyed members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) to assess the motivations of active and nonactive memebrs in these nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). I investigated the effects of social networks, competing commitments, requests for participation and the belief of the efficacy of their actions on decisions to become and remain active members. I found that requests are important tools for recruiting new members but not the determining factor in the decision to participate. Rather, in both NGOs, active members indicated that the efficacy of their actions was most important in their decisions, while nonactive members cited the importance of competing commitments. I also investigated what leads to burn out and attrition of active members. Burn out and attrition in active members often resulted from a lack of personal satisfaction and growth from contributions. Active members who had experienced burn out donated more hours, had been members and active longer, and in the RMEF needed more recognition than those members who had not experienced burn out. Volunteers who discontinued participation also cited age, health, and personal reasons, Recruitment and retention of volunteers may be aided by increasing the awareness of volunteer programs, ensuring the programs provide results that individuals are proud of, requesting the participation of individuals on both local and higher organizational levels, and recognizing volunteers for their contributions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1998

Author dc:creator

• Martinez, Teresa Ana

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• McMullin, Steve L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Parkhurst, James A.
• Hull, Robert Bruce IV

• Nongovernmental Organizations
• Retention
• Recruitment
• Volunteerism
• Burn Out
• Survey

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-71798-145547

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36908