Volunteer Recruitment and Sustainability Assessment: United Youth Courts of Alaska -- Final Report

Abstract

In response to a request from United Youth Courts of Alaska, we conducted an assessment of volunteer recruitment and sustainability during the Seventh Annual Statewide Youth Court Conference held in November 2003 in Anchorage, AK. We conducted three simultaneous focus groups with a total of 22 youth court volunteers to assess the advantages and disadvantages of volunteering for youth courts and the benefits and costs of continuing to volunteer for youth courts. In particular, we asked youth court volunteers about ways to improve recruitment and sustainability. All youth court volunteers clearly enjoyed their volunteer experience and planned to continue volunteering. In order to recruit and maintain skilled volunteers, focus group participants recommended to: (1) Provide potential volunteers a more accurate description of youth courts, (2) Revise the training course, (3) More proactively curtail the volunteers’ use of drugs and alcohol, (4) Enhance parental involvement in fundraising and non-court activities, (5) Publicize how to get involved in youth courts, and (6) Reward volunteers with tangible incentives. Although none of these recommendations will surprise youth court directors, we hope that this independent evaluation will confirm their beliefs and provide justifications for progress and change. Most youth court volunteers expressed an interest helping their youth court to achieve these goals.