Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 2.3.
The number of comments from a survey of volunteer stewardship group leaders
and land management personnel as to the characteristics of a successful volunteer steward-
ship group. *Statistically significant difference in number of responses between land manage-
ment personnel and volunteer stewardship group leaders.
comments as characteristics that, when lacking, contribute the most to an unsuccess-
ful organization. This was reflected in comments, such as “lack of communal plan-
ning/engagement with volunteers,” “unrealistic goals,” and “meaningless projects.”
No significant difference was found in the number of comments provided by land
managers and volunteer group leaders as to what makes groups unsuccessful.
The relationship between the land management agency and the volunteer stew-
ardship groups was unanimously regarded as very important (fig. 2.4). All of the rela-
tionship variables, except formal communication (e.g., using professional letterhead,
wearing business attire), were seen as important attributes contributing to volunteer
group success. Trust within the relationship, consistent communication, information
sharing, and a commitment to work together were rated as “very important” to group
success. Social interaction, shared decisions, resource sharing, and feedback were
rated as being “important” to success.
Land management personnel volunteer group leaders differed on the importance
of having equally shared decision making about the projects and goals to be accom-
plished by the volunteer stewardship group (
p
= .007). Shared decision making is
more important to volunteer stewardship group leaders than it is to the land manage-
ment personnel. Their opinions also differed on how important it is to get feedback
from the land management agency regarding the group's accomplishments (
p
=
.044). Providing feedback to volunteer groups was more important to land manage-
ment personnel than to the volunteer group leaders.
