An assessment of factors affecting volunteerism in the Texas 4-H program

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors affecting adult volunteers’ motivations in the Texas 4-H youth development program, in order to target approaches for recruitment and retention of volunteers. This study sought to describe demographic characteristics, identify motivational factors according to the Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI), identify opportunities to volunteer, and determine and compare relationships between motivations and demographic characteristics. This study was descriptive and correlational in nature. All volunteers for the Texas 4-H youth development program were included in the target population. Convenience sampling was conducted on an accessible population of 6,287 volunteers enrolled by October 19, 2018. A total of 1,225 respondents completed the survey, resulting in a 19.5% response rate. The respondents completed a 45-question online survey using Qualtrics™. Two parts of the survey included the VFI, a 30-question previously developed instrument, and a 15-question demographic section. Texas 4-H volunteers’ main motivators were their values and understanding of the program, they were not motivated to volunteer for the program based on the career or protective function. Volunteers were mainly white, female, and college educated. However, volunteers mainly did not have previous affiliation to the program prior to their child’s enrollment. Their children’s affiliation to the program also did not influence their motivations to volunteer in the Texas 4-H youth development program. Texas 4-H volunteers serve the program to fulfill their want to help others.