Civic Service Worldwide: Defining a Field, Building a Knowledge Base

Abstract

Civic service appears to be a global phenomenon. The growth of service may warrant a distinct field of study in which a comparative knowledge base could inform development and implementation of policies and programs. In this article, the authors summarize results of a global assessment of civic service. Searching by country and using information from organizational memberships, publications, and the Internet, 210 civic service programs were identified in 57 countries. This study has many limitations, raising more questions than it answers. Nonetheless, it is the first worldwide empirical glimpse of service, shedding light on several key questions: What are the current status and forms of civic service? What are its structures, goals, and effects? This introductory article of the special issue frames these questions for consideration by the authors, who identify historical and cultural determinants, forms, and mediators of civic service in different regions of the world.

Institutional Predictors of Volunteer Retention

“…In this study, institutional features such as orientation, training, and supervision are conceptualized as institutional facilitators (Farmer & Fedor, 2000; McBride & Sherraden, 2007; McBride, Sherraden, Benitez, & Johnson, 2004; Morrow-Howell, Hinterlong, Rozario, & Tang, 2003; Morrow-Howell, Hinterlong, Sherraden, et al, 2003; Morrow-Howell, Hinterlong, Sherraden, & Rozario, 2001; Tang, Morrow-Howell, & Hong, in press). Institutional facilitators are defined as features that leverage volunteer participation by providing volunteers with the support they need to perform.…”

Demographic Determinants of Perceived Barriers to Community Involvement

“…Much of the community involvement research has focused on clarifying the concept (Hodgkinson, 2004; Stukas & Dunlap, 2002) or on assessing the good that it does for those who are involved (Liu & Bessar, 2003; McBride et al 2006; McBride, Sherraden, Benítez, & Johnson, 2004; Perry & Imperial, 2001). These two issues are related because to assess the effect of community involvement on the participant requires knowing when people are indeed involved.…”

Stipends in Volunteer Civic Service: Inclusion, Retention, and Volunteer Benefits

“…In this study, institutional features such as stipends are conceptualized as institutional facilitators (Farmer and Fedor 2000; McBride and Sherraden 2007; McBride et al 2004; Morrow‐Howell et al 2001; Morrow‐Howell, Hinterlong, Rozario, and Tang 2003; Morrow‐Howell, Hinterlong, Rozario, Tang, et al 2003; Tang, Morrow‐Howell, and Hong 2009). Institutional facilitators are defined as features that leverage volunteer participation by providing volunteers with the support they need to perform.…”