A program evaluation, factors affecting volunteer retention within the DeKalb County CASA program, 2002

This process evaluation focused on volunteer retention issues at the DeKalb County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. Literature on the topic of volunteer retention continually reports that the problem of retention can usually be linked to the motivation of the volunteer. Marlene Wilson reviewed researchers McClelland and Atkinson's work on motivation. They identified three distinct motives that affect people's work related behavior (Wilson, 1976): 'the need for achievement, the need for power, the need for affiliation.' The research considered all three motivations in varying degrees. This process evaluation assessed whether there is a relationship between status, current or former, and level of motivational satisfaction. The evaluation examined which motivational style is being catered to the most by the CASA staff: Affiliation, Achievement, Power, and Altruism. Additionally, this evaluation examined the relationship between the suggested motivational techniques and the effective management of the CASA volunteers. The Gordon Howard Assessment Tool was the instrument. The sample consisted of 27 current volunteers who were sent surveys through the mail. The sample also consisted of 7 former volunteers who were telephoned first for permission to mail them a survey. Those former volunteers who were not reached by telephone were sent surveys to their last known addresses. The participants vary in length of time in service, age, educational levels, occupation, and ethnicity. Ultimately, this research can be beneficial in recruiting, rewarding, and retaining volunteers