Research ReportAngel JohnsonJulie NguyenAsha Saeed

Rachael Zilic

Photos from SOV Instagram

Executive Summary

Objective

To gain insight to the shortfall of volunteering

for MillennialsResearch Methods

Qualitative: In-depth Interviews & Focus Group

Quantitative: Survey & Content Analysis

Research Question

What is the relationship between the lifestyle pattern and service

for millennials?

SWOTAnalysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

● Easy volunteering process

● Believes in unity

● Proactive in every event

● Small knowledge of target audience

Difficulty delivering message

● Engaging young volunteers

Moving to the “next step”

● Utilizes power of social media

● Involved in schools

● Innovative

● Sensitive audience

● Negative feedback

● Overstimulation of millennials

Focus Group Research Question

What does someone’s background say about their feelings towards volunteering?

Focus Group Method Overview & Data Collection

Method Overview

Thoughts on our own lives

Attitudes towards Volunteering

Data Collection

Simple Random

Contact through phone, e-mail, text message

Seven participants

Focus Group Data Analysis

Family and Volunteering

Almost all participants had parents/guardians who volunteered

Forced volunteering then = lower enthusiasm now

Community and Volunteering

Rural areas have less opportunities

Urban residents enjoy volunteering more because of variety

“You kind of had to know someone who volunteered because it was never really

broadcasted.”

Focus Group Data Analysis Continued

Reasons for Volunteering

Parental Influence

Religion

Career advancement

“If you have the ability to help someone, you have the responsibility to help someone.”

Reasons for Not Volunteering

Time

Forced community service

“Any time that I volunteered, it was forced labor by the court and was forced to do acts like wash cop cars or sort through clothes at

Goodwill. So anytime I hear the word ‘volunteer,’ that is what I associate it with.”

In-Depth Interviews Research Question

What is the relationship between the lifestyle pattern and service for millennials?

In-Depth Interviews Method Overview & Data Collection

Method Overview

10 Interviews

Thoughts on Volunteering

Data Collection

Non-Random and Convenient selection

Aged 19-23

Comfortable Settings

In-Person & Over the Phone

In-Depth Interviews Data Analysis

Advantages of Volunteering

Positive

Experience & Opportunity

Growth

“I think it just makes you feel good, and have more of a purpose. I feel like you get more out

of life when you’re helping other people.”

Disadvantages of Volunteering

Opportunity Costs

Unpaid

No Disadvantage

“I don’t really see how there could be disadvantages to volunteering, other than the obvious - it’s free, and unless you enjoy

doing it, it takes up your time.”

In-Depth Interviews Data Analysis Continued

Reasons for Volunteering

Personal Connection

Interest

Required

“My sister had down syndrome and passed away when I was really young. So I have a

heart for children with disabilities.”

Reasons for Not Volunteering

Time

Uninterested

“I don’t volunteer. I guess because there isn’t an organization that I would take time out of my day to help out with that truly motivated

me and I like enough to do for free.”

In-Depth Interviews Data Analysis Continued

Early Volunteering Experiences

School

Sports

Family

“Being on sporting teams and stuff, they definitely had us always involved in at least

one big (volunteering) thing during the season.”

Preferred Volunteering Activities

Direct Contact

Physical

“I like being first contact with patrons and being that person you come to if you have

questions. It also depends on what organization it is and what we’d be doing that

day.”

In-Depth Interviews Data Analysis Continued

Millennials Active in Volunteering

4 / 10 Consistent

University Programs

4-30 hrs / month Volunteering

“I am a part of Alpha Phi Omega which is a service co-ed fraternity… For APO, the service ranges working with kids to the elderly, and environmental/animals.”

Millennials Not Active in Volunteering

School, Work, Leisure

Busy/Uninterested

Would Commit Varying Hours

“Since I have weekends off from work, I’d probably do like a Sunday afternoon.”

SurveyResearch Question

What do millennials who volunteer have in common with millennials who do not?

SurveyMethod Overview and Data Collection

Method Overview

Finding similarities and differences between millennials who volunteer and those who do not

Ages 16-34

Demographics vs. volunteer habits

Data Collections

Participants were chosen doing a simple random survey through Qualtrics

We reached out to people through email, social media and word of mouth

SurveyData Analysis

4) What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?

“Some college credit” was the highest response from our participants

SurveyData Analysis Continued

6) How many hours a week are dedicated to school, work or extracurricular activities?

Most people expressed they spend 40 hours or more a week involved in work or other activities

SurveyData Analysis Continued

8) On average, how many hours a week are dedicated to volunteering?

0-10 hours are spent on an average basis volunteering

SurveyData Analysis Continued

10) If you are not active in volunteering, what answer best describes your choice to not volunteer?

Most people said they did not have enough time to volunteer

SurveyData Analysis Continued

11) If you do volunteer, what sparked your interest to do so?

People mainly volunteered out of their own will

Content AnalysisResearch Question

What kind of environment seems most attractive for millennials to volunteer in?

Content Analysis Method Overview & Data Collection

Method Overview

Types of volunteer experiences

What is the most attractive?

Data Collection

40 Random Instagram Photos

#volunteer #servicelearning #volunteerlife #volunteering

Series of 16 questions

Content Analysis Data Analysis

There is a wide range of interests that volunteers like to participate in.

Content Analysis Data Analysis Continued

The social media content for volunteering varies but overall consists of volunteers

doing their service.

Final Thoughts

Millennials, specifically in school, claimed that there is not enough time for them to give towards volunteering; however, would be up for the opportunity if presented.

Millennials who were in school AND a member of a program at their university are all actively in volunteering.

Millennials like the thought of volunteering because of the positive aspects but the interest to go and volunteer is very minimal.

Recommendations

Spark Millennial Interest with Incentives

Point out minimal requirementsInteractive aspectsPositive EnvironmentNot demanding

University Involvement

Sponsor at each universityClub involving kids with disabilitiesProfessors & University Organizations share the opportunity

Involvement in Events in Areas Highly Populated with Millennials

Flyers with positive incentives to volunteerInteractive Table - Games, prizes, competitionsSign-up station ready Cards with contact information and social media platforms