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Models of volunteerism in non profits

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2002 4:31 pm
by Steven Roderick
I seem to remember several inquiries about models of dynamics
in non profit organizations several years ago. At the time,
my interest was piqued, but I had little need for insight into
these areas. Now, my situation has changed and I am the one
looking for ideas. Has anyone seen, or been involved in the
modeling of volunteer organizations?

Specifically, the issue is within a church that is suffering
from la high degree of volunteer burnout. There are several
population cohorts moving through the system, with burnout
occurring primarily in the older of these, and recruitment
issues in the younger one.

Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thank you so much ahead of time.

Sincerely,
Steven Roderick
From: Steven Roderick <sroderic@mac.com>

Models of volunteerism in non profits

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2002 9:28 am
by "Andy Ford"
Folks,

This is Andy Ford replying to Steven Rodericks inquiry about modeling
of volunteer groups. Steve is specifically interested in a church that is
suffering from a high degree of volunteer burnout. He says there are
several population cohorts moving through the system, with burnout occurring
primarily in the older of these, and recruitment issues in the younger one.

Alan Gaynor, Jean Morrow and Stelios Georgiou have published an article
on this topic in the Winter 1991 issue of the SYSTEM DYNAMICS REVIEW. The
article describes a system dynamics analysis of the problems of contraction
and cohesion in the Order of the Servants of Mary. The authors assert that
the problems of this religious order are typical of a large number of
regligious orders in the US. They present a model (including equations)
that simulates trends in novitiate and sister populations along with trends
in cohesion and compliance over an 80 year time period.

Andy Ford
Program in Environmental Science & Regional Planning
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4430

Phone: 509 335 7846
Email: FordA@mail.wsu.edu
Web: http://www.wsu.edu/~forda

Models of volunteerism in non profits

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2002 3:21 pm
by Bill Harris
Steven,

I dont know if this is related to your issue, but John Hayward has a
site on church growth modeling at
http://www.church-growth-modelling.org.uk/.

Regards,

Bill
From: Bill Harris <bill_harris@facilitatedsystems.com>

--
Bill Harris 3217 102nd Place SE
Facilitated Systems Everett, WA 98208 USA
http://facilitatedsystems.com/ phone: +1 425 337-5541