2011/10/11 by Rebecca Nesbit, Beth Gazley
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Community Development and Social Impact #Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering #Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development
paper · doi:10.1007/s11266-011-9218-0
openalex publication_date 2011/10/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract Professional and occupational societies rely on volunteers for leadership, expertise, member recruitment, fundraising, legislative activity, and many other activities. Yet, volunteerism in the professions has received very little analytic attention. This study uses a large, international dataset produced by the American Society of Association Executives to examine patterns of volunteer activity in 23 professional associations and societies. A comparative analysis allows us to test widespread theories on the factors that predict volunteer activity in the particular context of professional life, where the motivations to volunteer may vary. Our findings suggest that some patterns of professional volunteer activity mirror what we can expect in a non-professional context (i.e., church or community volunteering), while other patterns are distinct. Our findings have particular relevance in understanding that a professional’s demographic characteristics and voluntary preferences are context-specific and must be accounted for in volunteer recruitment efforts.