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

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 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

More about the authors





Contribute to the Gateway


More like this

Information

Guide to Onboarding

A comprehensive guide to onboarding volunteers, covering planning, policies and procedures, induction, training and evaluation. This guide provides information, checklists and templates relevant to both volunteers and employees. Note: This resource is accompanied by a suite of supporting resources.
1 minute read
Volunteering ACT
General
e-learning

Recruiting Volunteers

These webinar, e-learning and guides offer best practices for recruiting volunteers, including recruitment selection, reference checks and interviews.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
General
e-learning

Engaging Volunteers with Disability

These guides, videos and e-learning helps volunteer organisations attract, support, and retain volunteers with disabilities, including those with autism and cerebral palsy. It provides practical tips and tools for creating a more inclusive environment.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
Disability, General
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
scheduled

National Standards Deep Dive: Standard 6

The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Panel Discussion: Developing Meaningful and Fulfilling Volunteer Roles

Join us for a panel discussion on Standard 3 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

National Standards Deep Dive: Standard 3

Take a deep dive into Standard 3 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free