Considerations about engaging volunteers in crisis managements

Abstract

Deep crises seem to multiply and diversify, with recent examples such as the war refugee crisis and the COVID 19 pandemic. At the same time, in these crises, people tend to get involved through various forms of volunteering. However, these can prove useless when unorganised, without adequately trained people. This article, having a theoretical background, examines key aspects of crisis management through a specialised literature review, highlighting ways of involving volunteers effectively so that they can make a real contribution to solving the crisis. The results indicate ways volunteering can respond to the various needs of crisis management, emphasising the need for careful planning, appropriate role assignment, training, and coaching, without neglecting aspects of time management, working under pressure, task satisfaction and well-being.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What are the best strategies for emergency preparedness and emergency information dissemination among resettled refugees?

The evidence in this area is suggestive. Within these suggestive studies, there is broad consensus on four key points related to emergency preparedness and emergency information dissemination among resettled refugees: Pre-existing partnerships among refugee communities, community-based organizations (CBOs), and local emergency planners are vital. People who serve as social bridges between refugee communities and governmental…

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION: None Tested

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

More STUDIES

The management of volunteers – What can human resources do? A review and research agenda

There is an increasing interest from scholars and practitioners in understanding how non-profit organizations can design and implement human resources (HR) practices to enhance desirable volunteer attitudes and behaviors. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of existing studies on the relationship between HR practices and volunteering outcomes. We use the ability-motivation-opportunity model as a guiding…

Predictors of turnover amongst volunteers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Volunteers represent a global workforce equivalent to 61 million full-time workers. A significant decline in volunteering has highlighted the urgency to better understand and address turnover amongst volunteers. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of turnover amongst volunteers. We also examined whether staying or leaving has different predictors. The meta-analysis integrated…