Lyceum Books





 




“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