What is motivation?
Motivation is what drives people to act. It helps to
determine where people direct their energy and how
hard they work.
Research undertaken for the International Year of
Volunteers identified eight distinct motives for
volunteering for sports organizations. The strength of
these motives varied according to age and sex, and
the role of the volunteer (leadership volunteers, e.g.,
board or committee, versus hands-on volunteers, e.g.,
those who do office work or fundraising). For this
survey, 621 sports volunteers were asked to respond
to a 34-item questionnaire, in which they rated
motives for volunteering on a scale from one to seven.
Higher values represented more important motives.
Motive 1: Helping the community
The desire to help their community is the strongest
motive for volunteering in sports organizations. In
general, this motive was stronger among older people
(those 45 and older) than among younger people
(those between the ages of 15 and 44). It was also
stronger among leadership volunteers.
Motive 2: Helping others
Sports volunteers are motivated by the desire to
help others. This motivation was stronger among
women than among men.
Motive 3: Social interaction
The social interaction afforded by volunteering for
sports organizations, e.g., meeting new people and
making new friends, is an especially strong motivator
for younger volunteers (those between the ages of
15 and 34). This motive was stronger among
women than among men.
Motive 4: Recognition
Some people volunteer for sports organizations to
gain recognition and status in the community.
Generally, this motive was strongest among younger
volunteers, especially those aged 15-24.
Importance of the Motive “Helping the
Community,” by Age, Sex, and Role of Volunteer
4.48 4.29 4.29 4.46 4.67 4.53 4.28 4.63 4.36
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Helping Others,” by
Age, Sex, and Role of Volunteer
4.56 4.24
3.79 3.71 3.74 3.88 3.95 3.80 4.10
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Social Interaction,”
by Age, Sex, and Role of Volunteer
3.06
2.58 2.19 2.17 1.88 2.21 2.31 2.18 2.27
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Recognition,” by
Age, Sex, and Role of Volunteer
4.83 4.92 5.33 5.59 5.48 5.19 5.44 5.22
5.77
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
www.nonprofitscan.ca
IYV
Research
Program
For more information
on this and other
research projects visit
INTERNATIONAL
YEAR OF
VOLUNTEERS
Kim D. Dorsch
University
of Regina
Harold A. Riemer
University
of Regina
Valerie Sluth
University
of Regina
David M. Paskevich
University
of Calgary
Packianathan
Chelladurai
University of
Western Ontario
Motive 5: Cultural norms
The belief that volunteering is “the right thing to do”
motivates some sports volunteers. The strength of
this motive was roughly similar for all age groups.
Motive 6: Diversion
Volunteering for sports organizations can be a way
for people to get away from their daily activities
and troubles. This motivation was stronger among
younger volunteers (those aged 15-34) than among
older volunteers. It was also stronger among
“hands-on” volunteers than among leadership
volunteers.
2.32 2.13 2.24 2.24 1.86 2.17 2.23 2.39 2.17
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Cultural Norms,” by Age,
Sex, and Role of Volunteer
3.52
2.86
1.87 1.55 1.31
2.16 1.85 1.91 2.03
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Career Advancement,”
by Age, Sex, and Role of Volunteer
2.78 2.45
1.94 1.94 1.79 2.15 2.01 2.14 1.80
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Diversion,” by Age, Sex,
and Role of Volunteer
1.83 1.79 1.83 1.51 1.73 1.93 1.90 1.84 1.81
0
3.5
7
15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Female Male Board/
Committee
Handson
Importance of Motive
Importance of the Motive “Obligation,” by Age, Sex,
and Role of Volunteer
Motive 7: Career advancement
Volunteering for sports organizations is sometimes
seen as a way to get a job or to advance in one’s
current career. This motivation was strongest among
younger volunteers, especially those between the
ages of 15 and 24, and declined with age.
Motive 8: Obligation
People sometimes volunteer for sports organizations
because they feel pressured by friends, family or
others in their lives. The strength of this motive was
roughly similar across age groups and was
somewhat stronger among men than women