Knowing Who Volunteers and Why Helps You Recruit Leaders

Knowing who volunteers and why can help you recruit the best unit leaders, commissioners, and committee members. Independent Sector, a nonprofit organization that researches charitable giving and volunteering in the United States, compiled the following statistics on U.S. volunteers:

• Forty-four percent of adults over the age of 21 volunteer with a formal organization, with 63 percent volunteering on a regular basis.
• Volunteers are more likely than their non-volunteering counterparts to belong to a religious organization (75.5 percent versus 58 percent).
• Women are more likely to volunteer than men (46 percent versus 42 percent).
• On average, volunteers give 3.6 hours per week.
• Ten percent of those with Internet access used the Internet to search for volunteer opportunities or learn about volunteer organizations.
• Individuals who are personally asked to volunteer are more likely to volunteer than those who are not asked (71 percent versus 29 percent).

The Volunteer Outcomes Study conducted by Harris Interactive provides insights into who volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America and what they receive from the experience.

• More than half of Scout volunteers have been adult leaders for six or more years, with 28 percent having volunteered for Scouting for more than 10 years.
• Approximately 70 percent of Scout volunteers are male, and 30 percent are female.
• On average, Scout volunteers give 5 hours of service to Scouting per week.
• Sixty-six percent of Scout volunteers also volunteer for other youth organizations.
• Adults say volunteering for Scouting has helped them:
  • Be a better citizen (90 percent).
  • Become a better parent (88 percent).
  • Ensure a safe environment for the youth in their community (88 percent).
  • Have more fun in their life (85 percent).
  • Become a better manager or supervisor (74 percent).
  • Become a better employee (66 percent).

The Merits of Marketing (marketing.scouting.org) is a resource for local councils, developed by the Marketing & Communications Division of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.