Graduation Semester and Year

2021

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Public and Urban Administration

Department

Public Administration

First Advisor

Karabi Bezboruah

Abstract

Volunteering is an invaluable resource and practice that connects people to much-needed services. Current research is limited on the practices and perspectives of African American volunteers in the United States. Through the application of surveys, interviews, and focus groups, this qualitative study explores the volunteer experiences of African American millennials. Based on an in-depth review of the literature on volunteerism and social capital theory, this study addresses the following research questions: What are the experiences and expectations of African American millennials participating in employer-sponsored volunteer activities? What are the challenges and limitations of participating in employer-sponsored volunteer activities? What are the challenges and limitation of participating in non-employer-sponsored volunteer activities? And what are the benefits and opportunities of participating in employer-sponsored volunteer activities? This study explores the social benefits and opportunities created through formal and informal volunteering and examines their implications by answering these questions. This study finds that participating in employer-sponsored and non-employer-sponsored volunteer activities provides the ability to network for both professional and personal connections. Participating in employer-sponsored volunteer activities provides access to opportunities for career advancement. Volunteering within the African American community in non-employer sponsored activities is communal and familial in nature and motivated by personal interests and the level of impact of their service on communities. The benefits of volunteering obtained by the population group are consistent with the benefits found in the existing literature on volunteering. However, participating in formal volunteer activities were similar to the benefits received from participating in informal volunteer activities. Finally, challenges associated with volunteering include time limitations, the lack of a sense of belonging especially in employee-sponsored activities, and the existence of the savior complex. This study recommends increased marketing and communication from nonprofit organizations regarding volunteering work and its impact, increased community inclusion and involvement in volunteer work, and an improved volunteer experience through well-organized or structured work. In addition, recommendations for employers that organize or sponsor volunteer efforts for their employees include a centralized location and method to sign-up for volunteer activities as well as sharing with employees the success of the volunteer day or activity. Examples include the number of employees who participated in the volunteer activity, the number of volunteer hours contributed and any success information obtained from the nonprofit that would show the impact of the volunteer participation. An additional recommendation for employers includes communicating to employees the benefits, both personal and professional, associated with volunteering which may include the possibility of promotion, networking opportunities, and the ability to learn new skills and mentor the next generation. Finally, this study recommends volunteers actively engage with nonprofit organizations to include following the organizations on social media, subscribing to the organization’s newsletter or email notices, and utilizing networks and connections to discover additional ways to be more engaged.

Keywords

Volunteering, African Americans, Millennial, Savior complex

Disciplines

Public Affairs | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Download

Share

COinS