“This groundbreaking text provides a fresh perspective on the evolving relationship between social work and the volunteer sector. A must read for anyone interested in macropractice.” 

— David R. Hodge, Arizona State University

“Michael Sherr has bravely charged into this sorry state of affairs and produced a provocative analysis of why social workers resist working with volunteers and with the faith community,”

— John G. McNutt, University of Delaware

“A fascinating examination of the motivations behind volunteering, which provides not only practical applications for soliciting volunteers, but also for keeping them trained, focused, energized and effective.”

— Marv Knox, Editor, Baptist Standard

SOCIAL WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS

Michael E. Sherr, Baylor University

The first book to specifically address the relationship between social work and volunteers, Social Work with Volunteers examines the current shift in social welfare services and the growing need to develop effective partnerships with volunteers. As the primary profession in the development, provision, and evaluation of social services, social workers are in a position to shape how agency administrators, direct staff, and volunteers work together to provide services. Using the groundbreaking Context-Specific Optimal Partnership (CSOP) model, the author demonstrates how social workers in all areas of practice can work with volunteers to create a positive change.

Social Work with Volunteers is organized around three basic themes: volunteerism as a complex behavioral and social phenomenon, the historical relationship between social work and volunteers, and the development and application of the CSOP model.

Features

• Applies theoretical concepts to real-life case illustrations
• Engaging discussion and learning questions in each chapter
• Uses a human behavior theoretical framework for describing social work with volunteers
• Provides a progressive new model (CSOP) for social workers to partner with volunteers

Contents

Figures and Tables
About the Author
Foreword by John G. McNutt
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART 1 VOLUNTEERISM: A COMPLEX PHENOMENON
Chapter 1	Defining Volunteerism
	What Is Volunteerism?
	A Working Definition of Volunteerism
	Additional Concepts Related to Volunteerism
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 2	Why People Volunteer
	Why People Begin Volunteering
	Why People Continue Volunteering
	Linking the Reasons Why People Begin and Continue Volunteering
	Other Reasons Why People Volunteer
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 3	Volunteerism and Human Behavior Theory
	What Are Human Behavior Theories?
	Systems Theory and the Ecological Perspective
	Conflict Theory
	Empowerment Theory
	Phenomenological Theory
	Social Learning Theory
	Life Span Theory and Life Course Theory
	Social Exchange Theory
	Maslow's Theory of Self-Actualization and Self-Transcendence
	Using a Multidimensional Approach
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
PART II THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL WORK AND VOLUNTEERISM
Chapter 4	Jane Addams: Social Worker and Volunteer
	Develop a Diverse Network of Relationships
	Create Opportunities to Bring People Together for Any Reason
	Be Willing to Become a Volunteer
	Raise Critical Awareness and Guide toward Social Action
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 5	Social Work’s Historical Relationship to Volunteerism
	The Historical Relationship
	Explaining What Happened
	Insecurity
	Avoidance
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 6	The Impact of Religion on Social Work’s Relationship with Volunteers
	The Religious Foundations of Volunteer Service
	The Functions Religious Groups Perform in Promoting Volunteerism
	The Scope of Volunteer Contributions Made by Religious Groups
	Social Work’s Skittishness with Religion
	Religion: The Key to Social Work with Volunteers
	Devolution or Progress?
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
PART III REFRAMING THE RELATIONSHIP
Chapter 7	The Context-Specific Optimal Partnership Model
	The Model
	Assessing the Context
	Creating Optimal Partnerships
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 8	Putting the Context-Specific Optimal Partnership Model into Action
	Corazon de Jesus
	A Better Way
	Rediscovering Gem County
	Comparing Partnerships
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 9	Finding Volunteers for Partnerships
	Think of Bonding and Bridging Capital
	Be Strategic, But Not Too Strategic
	Consider Joining a Volunteer Service Organization
	Volunteer Service Organizations
	Summary
	Discussion Questions and Learning Exercises
Chapter 10	Changing the Context
	The Impact of Social Class
	Organizational Context of Practice
	Strategies for Partnering with Volunteers to Change the Context
	A Final Word
References
Index

About the Author

Michael E. Sherr (PhD, MSW, University of South Carolina, Columbia) is assistant professor at Baylor University School of Social Work. His research interests include the integration of faith and social work education and practice, volunteerism, gerontology, and theory and practice with ethnic/racial populations.

2008, Paper, 168 Pages, ISBN 978-1-933478-11-1, Price $31.95