I know from reading somewhere that the top reasons for volunteering is:

 (1) to make a difference,
 (2) a sense of duty or moral obligation,
 (3) and for personal fulfillment

However, I want to provide a reference or two to support this assertion.

I want a reference to some sort of research, study or survey that
answers "why people in general volunteer", NOT something more specific
like "why elderly folks volunteer".  The answers concluded in the
provided research reference(s) should be inline with the top three
provided above (unless the answers above are demonstratively
incorrect).  I am not looking for a one-reason answer; I'd like at
least the top 3 reasons.

Many Thanks!

---

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 04 Jun 2004 12:40 PDT

I've found an article that discusses several reasons why people volunteer.

"INCENTIVES FOR VOLUNTEERING
The participants identified a number of incentives that had either
influenced their decisions to become involved in volunteer work, or
that they thought might encourage others to join:

Achievement 
Recognition and feedback 
Personal growth 
Giving something back 
Bringing about social change 
Family ties 
Friendship, support, bonding and a feeling of belonging" 

http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/pc-cp/pubs/e/WhyPplE1.htm

Does this meet your needs?

fwiw there are many religious volunteers around the world in *many*
religions.  Their motivations are often derived from their holy
book(s).
These are at least easy to cite, as the books are easily quoteable.

Hi there....

Another BIG reason why some people volunteer is to get "hands on"
experience for employment in whatwever field they are in. As well,
volunteer work looks good on a resume'.

pinkfreud-ga,

I do like the content of this article and can accept that as an
answer.  However, do you feel there are additional articles that you
could provide references to?

Thanks...

Your question is fully open to all Researchers, and it will remain
viable until July 2nd. Perhaps someone else will be able to locate
additional material that will be useful to you.

Here is another study result:

"WHY DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER
In the past, it was thought that individuals volunteered strictly for
altruistic reasons. However, recent studies have indicated that there
may be other reasons, including:

CAREER - to build your resume; to develop skills or to learn new
skills; to make career contacts

ESTEEM - to feel better about yourself; to feel needed and feel like
you are making a contribution

SOCIAL - to act in a socially desired way (ie) helping those less fortunate 

VALUE - to allow you to act on deeply held beliefs about the
importance of helping others

PROTECTIVE - to relieve yourself of unpleasant feelings like loneliness and guilt 

UNDERSTANDING - to better understand the people and organization you
serve; to better understand yourself"

http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/04/02.html

"WHY VOLUNTEER
Here are just a few of the many possible motivations identified by
other volunteers:
·  to feel needed 
·  to share a skill 
·  to get to know a community 
·  to gain leadership skills 
·  to do your civic duty 
·  satisfaction from accomplishment 
·  to keep busy 
·  for recognition 
·  to repay a debt 
·  to donate your professional skills 
·  to have an impact 
·  to learn something new 
·  for freedom of schedule 
·  to help a friend or relative 
·  for escape 
·  to become an "insider" 
·  to be challenged 
·  to be a watchdog 
·  to feel proud 
·  to make new friends 
·  to explore a career 
·  to help someone 
·  as therapy 
·  for religious reasons 
·  to earn academic credit 
·  to keep skills alive 
·  to assure progress 
·  to feel good 
·  to be part of a team 
·  to gain status 
·  because you were asked 
·  to test yourself 
·  to build your resume 
·  to be an agent of change 
·  to stand up and be counted "

http://charityguide.org/charity/motivation/whyvolunteer.htm
http://www.icecentricnews.com/workforce/e_article000162547.cfm

On a different note, there is also a very strong scientific basis for
altruism, and it is a subject of serious study in the fields of
biology and evolution.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism-biological/

Australian bureau of statistics is quite comprehensive...

http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/5f42bd63b0af7b85ca2569bb00164f70?OpenDocument