Defining the elements of a successful volunteer program in the provision of AIDS services

Volunteerism has been the cornerstone of HIV/AIDS services since the founding of the first AIDS service organizations (ASOs) in the early 1980s. The work of volunteers continues to be an integral part of care in the face of limited resources and the spreading epidemic. As existing ASOs seek to improve and expand services, and communities seek to establish new organizations to combat the disease, guidelines for practice are necessary to facilitate the implementation of effective, efficient, and successful volunteer programs. This article provides a synthesis of a diverse literature base on the subject and describes the current practical experience at three large American ASOs.