Book

Investigating Ways to Attract and Retain Volunteer Human Capital in Non-Governmental Organizations

In order to address one of the most important challenges facing non-governmental organizations in Iran, which is the concern of attracting and collaborating with long-term volunteers, the “Hemzi Foundation for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development” has recently published it through the publication of “Enlighteners” and Women’s Studies. In the introduction of the book, voluntary work is defined as follows: “Any type of free activity for the benefit of a group or community without expecting material gain and with the aim of improving the lives of individuals in society.”

This book is the result of a ten-year research with a clear question: How can voluntary forces be attracted and retained in organizations? In order to find reliable answers to this fundamental question, the researchers of this book have visited 15 non-governmental and charity organizations in Iran and conducted over 80 scientific interviews with their managers and voluntary forces to assess the expectations of both sides and understand the reasons for the volunteers’ remaining in the organizations. “Imam Ali Society”, “Mahak Institute”, “Anonymous Addicts Association”, “Rayeh Charity Foundation”, “Dehshpour Charity Institute”, “Women Entrepreneurs Association”, “Raad Charity Complex”, “Children’s Book Council”, “Children’s Support Association”, “Women’s Society for Fighting Environmental Pollution”, “Omid Mehr Charity Foundation”, “Al-Yasin Charity Foundation”, “Imam Hassan Mojtaba Charity Society”, “Qaemiyeh Tehran Islamic Charity Institute” and “Cultural Support Society” are the names of the

The Foundation for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development is a non-governmental and non-profit organization that was established in 1384 (2005). The foundation’s website defines its objectives as follows: “The foundation aims to promote and develop entrepreneurship and business among women, youth, adolescents, and local non-governmental organizations, and to institutionalize its activities throughout Iran with a priority on underprivileged areas (particularly Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, and South Khorasan). The foundation’s key approaches to fulfilling this mission are empowerment, facilitation, and support. Through education, research, counseling, and advocacy, the Foundation for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development works towards achieving this mission.”

Firouzeh Saber, a highly experienced civil activist, is the founder and CEO of the Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Foundation. In a recent meeting held in Tehran to introduce the above-mentioned book, she divided volunteer work into two categories, “voluntary work” and “volunteer assistance”, and said: “In 2021, Iran ranked 23rd in terms of voluntary financial assistance, but ranked 93rd in voluntary work. This shows that voluntary work has not yet taken off in Iran. When we do voluntary work in an organization, it takes on an organizational structure for us. This leads to more social participation, and when social participation increases, social development occurs, creating a positive cycle. In a society with more monopolies and obstacles, social participation decreases, and as a result, organizational work and the work of volunteer forces also decrease.” (1) In this meeting, Ms. Saber also mentioned the foundation’s experience in dealing with the issue of

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It has been proven through experience that even if attracting volunteer forces is not particularly difficult for starting or continuing an organizational work, attracting efficient and influential forces and especially maintaining cooperation with them is extremely exhausting. This research can serve as a guiding light for concerned and active individuals in the field of civil society organizations in the geography of Iran; a geography that, for various reasons such as the rootedness of hierarchical culture and the lack of a collective work spirit, has made starting and especially maintaining organizational work and the growth and development of NGOs challenging.

Book Name:

Investigating ways to attract and retain human capital of volunteers in non-governmental organizations.

Author: By the efforts of the Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Foundation.

Publisher: Roshangaran Publications and Women’s Studies

Publication Year: 1400

Notes:

1- Unveiling a book about volunteer human capital: The thirst for volunteerism in Iran’s civil activities, the website of the Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Foundation, 6 Ordibehesht 1401.

2- Same.