Moving Toward a Collective Impact Effort: The Volunteer Program Assessment

Authors

  • Sheridan Trent University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Kelly Prange University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Joseph Allen University of Nebraska at Omaha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/21746

Keywords:

volunteerism, university programs, evaluation, industrial-organizational psychology

Abstract

Volunteers are essential to the operation of many nonprofits, but some experience challenges in retaining their volunteer workforce. The Volunteer Program Assessment (VPA) seeks to address this issue by helping organizations to identify strengths, growth areas, and recommendations for improving volunteer experiences. To maximize the effectiveness of VPA’s mission, the organization is moving toward a collective impact (CI) approach. Although not developed as a CI effort, the program currently exemplifies many of its characteristics, which have been instrumental in expanding reach to more organizations. We examine VPA’s alignment with collective impact and outline how VPA will continue to improve efforts.  

Author Biographies

Sheridan Trent, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Sheridan B. Trent is a doctoral student studying Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also the Assistant Director of Operations for Volunteer Program Assessment at UNO. Sheridan’s research interests include volunteer retention, engagement, work-life issues, and burnout.

Sheridan B. Trent
Department of Psychology
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182
E-mail: strent@unomaha.edu
Telephone: 402-949-0227
Fax: 402-554-2556

Kelly Prange, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Kelly A. Prange is a doctoral student studying Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also the Assistant Director of Research for Volunteer Program Assessment at UNO. She is pursuing research interests within the realms of collective impact, social responsibility, and community engagement.

Kelly A. Prange
Department of Psychology
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68182
E-mail: kprange@unomaha.edu
Telephone: 402-540-1876
Fax: 402-554-2556

Joseph Allen, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Joseph A. Allen is an Associate Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His engaged scholarship pursuits include the study of meetings among career and volunteer firefighters, investigating volunteer management challenges in nonprofit organizations, and the study of collaboration in the form of collective impact.

Joseph A. Allen
Department of Psychology
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68182
E-mail: josephallen@unomaha.edu
Telephone: 402-554-6017
Fax: 402-554-2556

 

References

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Published

2017-11-29