October 17, 2008

Since April 2004, the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service has developed an online volunteer recruitment process to help West Virginians who want to volunteer connect with organizations that need volunteers. In the spring of 2008, with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the Commission conducted eight focus groups to explore the state of volunteerism in the Mountain State.

As a result of the focus groups, the Commission learned relationships, resources, leadership and structure were defining factors in positive volunteer experiences. The Commission also learned that most volunteers wish for more funding for volunteer efforts, better promotion of volunteer opportunities, and greater focus on providing the types of volunteer opportunities that volunteer seek. Because of these findings, the Commission outlined four main areas on which to focus future plans. These include outreach and branding, training and technical assistance, evaluation, and technology.

Below you can read more about the Commission's findings via an executive summary report or a full report.

Focus Group Report - Executive Summary

Focus Group Report - Full Report

For questions or more information on the focus group reports, please contact Lisa Tignor, program coordinator for Volunteer West Virginia, at (304) 558-0111 or by emailing Lisa.A.Tignor@wv.gov.