Males as mentors: a qualitative assessment of volunteer recruitment

The purpose of this qualitative study is to assess what prompted current male volunteers to join Big Brother Big Sisters Greater Pittsburgh (BBBS), explore barriers potential male volunteers may have in joining BBBS and assess possible messaging/active recruitment techniques to increase the number of male volunteers. Specific aims of the research are to: (1) determine how current male volunteers were recruited; (2) understand why current male volunteers joined the program; (3) define perceived barriers to volunteering for BBBSP; (4) explore information needed by males in the communities to garner interest in mentorship; and to (5) gain insight on how BBBSP can relay/target information to males in the community. This research is significant to public health as mentoring programs promote future community health by targeting factors that put youth at-risk for dropping out of school, depression, and negative behaviors. Mentors have the opportunity to influence youth decisions surrounding school attendance, drug/alcohol use, and negative behaviors that would fall into the classification of misdemeanors. 14 semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with current Big Brothers, lasting 30-55 minutes. Data analysis was driven by a modified grounded theory approach and was used to create a comprehensive, thematic code book. Findings were synthesized into specific recommendations for BBBSP to increase male mentor (Big Brother) recruitment