Volunteer Manager Perceptions and Sentiments About Court-Ordered Volunteers
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
Every year 600,000 people return to their communities after incarceration, and there are 3.7 million individuals who are living in the community under community supervision arrangements. These 4.3 million individuals with recent criminal records represent 2.7% of the American workforce. And with over 65% of courts in the US assigning community service hours as part of a sentence, it is estimated that 36 million hours of community service is ordered annually. With an estimated value of $31.80 an hour for volunteer time, the nonprofit sector stands to realize $1.14 billion in compelled labor savings annually from court ordered community service; however, the current experience for court-ordered volunteers is transactional in nature. This study explores the perceptions and experiences of volunteer managers regarding court-ordered volunteer programs. This qualitative analysis includes interviews with Michigan-based volunteer management professionals to examine their sentiments, challenges and strategies in overseeing court-mandated volunteers. The study seeks to understand how these programs are structured, the barriers managers face in implementation, and the broader impact on nonprofit organizations. Through interviews, this research aims to identify best practices and management strategies that can enhance the effectiveness of court-ordered volunteer initiatives, benefiting both the volunteers and the organizations involved.
Volunteer Manager Perceptions and Sentiments About Court-Ordered Volunteers
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Every year 600,000 people return to their communities after incarceration, and there are 3.7 million individuals who are living in the community under community supervision arrangements. These 4.3 million individuals with recent criminal records represent 2.7% of the American workforce. And with over 65% of courts in the US assigning community service hours as part of a sentence, it is estimated that 36 million hours of community service is ordered annually. With an estimated value of $31.80 an hour for volunteer time, the nonprofit sector stands to realize $1.14 billion in compelled labor savings annually from court ordered community service; however, the current experience for court-ordered volunteers is transactional in nature. This study explores the perceptions and experiences of volunteer managers regarding court-ordered volunteer programs. This qualitative analysis includes interviews with Michigan-based volunteer management professionals to examine their sentiments, challenges and strategies in overseeing court-mandated volunteers. The study seeks to understand how these programs are structured, the barriers managers face in implementation, and the broader impact on nonprofit organizations. Through interviews, this research aims to identify best practices and management strategies that can enhance the effectiveness of court-ordered volunteer initiatives, benefiting both the volunteers and the organizations involved.