Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Research and Reports
1 minute read

Meeting volunteer expectations — a review of volunteer motivations in citizen science and best practices for their retention through implementation of functional features in CS tools

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This document provides a comprehensive guide on the effective management and implementation of citizen science projects. It underscores the significance of clear project goals, volunteer recruitment, sustainability, and the pivotal role of citizens in these initiatives.

Enhancing Volunteer Engagement

For volunteer organisations and management practitioners, the document offers valuable insights into aligning volunteer interests with project needs, ensuring meaningful participation, and fostering long-term commitment. It stresses the importance of understanding volunteer motivations, providing appropriate training, feedback, and recognition, and leveraging technology to enhance participation and scientific output.

Contributing to Global Goals

Moreover, the document highlights how citizen science projects contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by involving citizens in environmental monitoring and other scientific research. This not only aids in addressing global challenges but also empowers individuals with STEM knowledge and skills.

Summary

For organisations involved in volunteer management, this document serves as a crucial resource. It offers strategies for retaining volunteers by meeting their expectations, creating a sense of community, and ensuring projects are fun, rewarding, and aligned with their interests. By adopting the recommended approaches, organisations can maximise volunteer contributions, enhance scientific productivity, and make a significant impact on environmental and global issues.

Johanna Amalia Robinson, David Kocman, Orestis Speyer & Evangelos Gerasopoulos (2021) Meeting volunteer expectations — a review of volunteer motivations in citizen science and best practices for their retention through implementation of functional features in CS tools, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64:12, 2089-2113, DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2020.1853507

Downloads and sources

Visit source

More about the authors

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Research and Reports

Volunteering and psychological contract

This document dives into the concept of volunteer management, emphasising the importance of the unspoken agreement between volunteers and organisations – the psychological contract.
1 minute read
M. Hager, K. Renfro
General
Factsheets

Engaging Volunteers Factsheet

This Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) factsheet offers some things to keep in mind when engaging volunteers.
1 minute read
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
General
Resources

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation

This free e-learning course helps volunteer organisations create a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
1 minute read
Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
FreddyMatch
Tech

FreddyMatch

FreddyMatch is a web-based platform that facilitates and optimises the process of volunteering. We help match organisations and volunteers based on their unique interests, skill sets, location and availability using the “FreddyMatch” algorithm.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
Volaby
Tech

Volaby

Volaby is an end-to-end volunteer and people management platform, enabling organisations to do more with less! Built from the collective voice of our volunteer managers using the platform, Volaby helps you automate and simplify the volunteer and manager experience to save time and scale impact.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
Rosterfy
Tech

Rosterfy

Rosterfy is an end-to-end volunteer management software solution, that helps organisations streamline their volunteer management and engagement. Rosterfy offers automated solutions to manage volunteers efficiently.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
scheduled

Cybersecurity: Protect Yourself From Scams for NFPs

Learn to identify the red flags of sophisticated scams, from phishing to investment traps, in this practical session. We'll explore real-life case studies and provide effective strategies to protect yourself and support others in our digital world with this online session presented by Infoxchange.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

AI 101 for NFPs

Join us to demystify what artificial intelligence (AI) means for the not-for-profit sector, focusing on what AI is, how it works and its practical benefits and challenges.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free
scheduled

Not-for-profit Risk: Current Legal Issues for the Board Agenda - April 2026

This webinar will provide an overview of some current legal risks to keep in mind when setting the board agenda in your not-for-profit; including critical changes, key trends and regulatory priorities to give you confidence in the decisions you make. 
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
–
A$49.00