Resources that Help Sustain Environmental Volunteer Activist Leaders

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sociology
• Volunteer Management

Background:

• Environmental activism organizations rely on volunteer leaders.
• Recruiting and retaining these leaders is crucial for organizational sustainability.
• Understanding the resources that support sustained leadership is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine resources that help or hinder sustained environmental volunteer activist leadership behaviors.
• To identify key factors influencing the retention of volunteer leaders in environmental activism.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 21 environmental volunteer activist leaders.
• Analysis of interview data within a Resource Mobilization Theory framework.

Main Results:

• Six resources supporting sustained engagement were identified.
• Time, community support, and social relationships were universally sought.
• Money, volunteers, and network connections, while valuable, increased administrative burdens.
• Social relationships fostered positive emotions and sustained leaders.

Conclusions:

• Organizations should prioritize time, community support, and social relationships for volunteer leaders.
• Resource sharing between larger and smaller organizations can reduce administrative burdens.
• Developing infrastructure groups can build and sustain networks.
• Prioritizing positive relationships within volunteer teams is key for retention.