“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
Coming soon

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, 180 Pages, ISBN 978-1-933478-11-1, Price $28.95