Multifaceted volunteering: The volunteering experience in the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in light of volunteering styles

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to investigate differences in the volunteering experience during the COVID‐19 pandemic according to three volunteering styles: traditional volunteering that takes place mainly face‐to‐face, virtual volunteering that occurs through digital means and hybrid volunteering that combines virtual and traditional volunteering. The research sample included 657 volunteers during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Four aspects of the volunteering experience were tested: the motivational, the affective, the cognitive and the behavioral. The experience of the hybrid volunteers was more positive in some aspects compared to the others: hybrid volunteers are motivated more by social solidarity, feel that they make a greater contribution to the community, and exhibit greater commitment to volunteer. However, they are less satisfied than the others from the professional accompaniment during their volunteering and experience higher levels of negative affect. The virtual volunteers exhibit relatively low commitment to volunteering and are less satisfied with the feedback they receive from the clients. The content of the special moments of the traditional and hybrid volunteers is usually emotional and focuses on the self, whereas the special moments for the virtual volunteers are purposeful and focused on the client. It is recommended to hold explanatory activities for clients that will encourage expression of thankfulness to the volunteers. Communication channels should be developed in order to afford constant feedback to the virtual volunteers via the digital means by which it takes place. Adaptation of the volunteering styles to the volunteers’ needs and to their technological abilities will ensure commitment to volunteer over time for the benefit of the volunteers and their clients.

Мотивы Волонтеров: Контексты До И Во Время Пандемии COVID-19

“…Regardless of the context of the pandemic, involvement in volunteering appears to be based on a combination of motives: conscious and unconscious, pragmatic and altruistic. These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that the structure of volunteering motives is not monolithic (Mousa, Freeland-Graves 2017;Kulik 2021). Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, two behavioral options, i. e., 'giving' and 'exchanging' help, were possible for Russian volunteers, which is consistent with the research by Kislyakov and Shmeleva (2021).…”

Philanthropy during COVID‐19: Learnings and recommendations for philanthropic organizations navigating crisis

“…Online platforms matching volunteers with community needs supported continued volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic (Spath, 2021;Trautwein et al, 2020). In addition, "newer" forms of volunteering-like virtual and episodic-helped minimize the negative impact on volunteering rates resulting from things like the restrictions placed on philanthropic organizations (e.g., social distancing, stay-at-home orders) during the COVID-19 pandemic (Kulik, 2021) During crisis, philanthropic leaders should minimize barriers to volunteers' ability to engage with the organization and ensure that they are well-equipped to perform their duties. Austrian researchers noted that "[t]he lower the threshold and the less bureaucratic it is to get involved in the short term, and the more clearly the help needed is defined, the more people are prepared to get involved" (Neumayr & Meyer, 2021, p. 15).…”

“…Online platforms matching volunteers with community needs supported continued volunteering during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Spath, 2021; Trautwein et al, 2020). In addition, “newer” forms of volunteering―like virtual and episodic―helped minimize the negative impact on volunteering rates resulting from things like the restrictions placed on philanthropic organizations (e.g., social distancing, stay‐at‐home orders) during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Kulik, 2021). Researchers from Iceland recommended that philanthropic organizations “[b]e quick to offer new ways of volunteering such as digital volunteering and flexible, short‐term activities.…”

A multi‐variable model for explaining long‐term commitment to volunteering among COVID‐19 volunteers

“…Another accelerating factor for volunteering was the broad range of volunteering possibilities offered by the new reality created by the pandemic. Due to the lockdown, virtual volunteering through digital means evolved, alongside traditional face‐to‐face volunteering (Kulik, 2021; Lachance, 2020; Trautwein et al., 2020; Pickell et al., 2020).…”