TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– The aim of this paper is twofold: to delineate the results of the focus groups regarding volunteers and their needs; and to compare the results with pertinent literature regarding volunteerism to determine whether the motivating factors and needs of volunteers still need to be addressed by public health and other professional practitioners.Design/methodology/approach– Focus groups were conducted with public health volunteers and content analysis was conducted to identity central themes.Findings– Several important themes related to motivation and training emerged from the focus groups. These findings are supported by the sociological, psychological, management and administrative literature on volunteerism.Research limitations/implications– While qualitative, these findings emphasize factors of which public health and emergency management officials need to be cognizant as they prepare, plan and work with volunteers.Practical implications– In order to retain volunteers' public health and emergency management, volunteer programs need to address the social, interpersonal, and educational desires of volunteers.Originality/value– The perceptions, values, interests and motivation of public health volunteers were directly elicited in order to identify factors that facilitate volunteer participation in public health and emergency responses.
VL  - 17
IS  - 1
SN  - 0965-3562
DO  - 10.1108/09653560810855874
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560810855874
AU  - Brand Michael W.
AU  - Kerby Dave
AU  - Elledge Brenda
AU  - Burton Tracey
AU  - Coles Dana
AU  - Dunn Amy
PY  - 2008
Y1  - 2008/01/01
TI  - Public health's response: citizens' thoughts on volunteering
T2  - Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 54
EP  - 61
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -