The purpose of this article and of the workshop on this subject presented at the 1989 International Conference on Volunteer Administration is to inform Directors of Volunteers of a new approach to burnout prevention which can directly impact occurrences among themselves and their co-workers. We in volunteer administration are not immune; our burnout rates average 3 1/2 years. This situation, left unchecked, poses a threat to the long term effectiveness of our organizations.
Descriptive data using an administered questionnaire were obtained from fifteen in-home respite volunteers and from fifteen paid in-home respite workers. From each group, five volunteers and five paid workers and the families they served, were interviewed in depth. Independent t tests showed volunteers to be older, have more education, spend less time in respite and more time in the confidant role than paid workers. Volunteers were characterized as a family surrogate motivated by altruistic and substitutive needs. They were shown to be reliable, competent, creative, and nurturant. Paid workers were found to be motivated by a liking for people and financial need. Though their services were also shown to be reliable, competent and nurturant, paid workers were characterized more as an extension of the family care-giver.
This program has made it possible for students to experience some important firsts: the first report card they are proud to share, the first award they receive at an honors assembly. Students have gained a new awareness of the elderly: "I never used to look up to them," one student said. "Now I really understand that they are history. I will have more respect for the elderly, because I will want respect when I am older."
In summary, CCRCs are arenas in which four types of natural helping and volunteerism occur. The CCRC may, therefore, be a microcosm of a community system, serving multiple functions in a campus setting. Volunteer program coordinators can benefit from the experiences of others, and research into helping patterns and the process of community building may provide insight as new CCRCs develop.
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