The Volunteer Satisfaction Index (VSI) is a measurement tool developed in 1999 to assess volunteer satisfaction. It was created through extensive two-year research to address the unique context of unpaid volunteer work. The VSI identifies five key dimensions of volunteer satisfaction: work assignment, participation efficacy, organizational integration, organizational support, and quality of communication. It has proven effective for program development, need analysis, and understanding volunteer retention and attrition. The developer's organization, VolSat, provides education and research on applying the VSI to optimize volunteer programs.

1. VSI The Volunteer Satisfaction Index

2. Developed by: Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn The VSITM is a measurement tool unique to the context of the unpaid work environment. Developed in 1999, the measurement tool has continued to draw the interest of researchers worldwide and the application of professional volunteer administrators seeking a better understanding of volunteerism. The VSI has proven effective as a foundation for program development and need analysis.

3. “The work of volunteers impacts on all our lives, even if we are not aware of it.” Anthony Worall-Thompson Volunteers

4. The Need for the VSI The VSI was developed specifically for the unique context of volunteerism Five dimensions of volunteer satisfaction emerged from the extensive research behind the development The knowledge of the VSI can be directly applied to build and grow successful volunteer programs

5. Publication The seminal research surrounding the VSI ’s construct definition and development, and validity was published in 2001 in the Journal of Social Service Research. Galindo-Kuhn, R. & Guzley, R. (2001). The Volunteer Satisfaction Index: (VSI ) Construct Definition, Measurement Development, and Validation. Journal of Social Service Research, 28 (4), 45-68.

6. “I see something that has to be done and I organize it.” Elinor Guggenheimer Development of the VSI

7. A Unique Context for Work Unpaid vs. Paid Work Environments Extensive two-year research project Thesis, publication, and application Professionalization of the nonprofit management sec

9. Work Assignment Job Fit Logistics Square pegs in round holes Reverse HR Expectations

10. Participation Efficacy Meaningful Client impact Measurable outcomes Connecting the dots A story to tell

11. Organizational Integration Belongingness Volunteer-staff relationships Volunteer-volunteer relationships Acknowledgement Stakeholders

12. Organizational Support Resources Education and training Professional development Evaluation Support vs. Supervision

13. Quality of Communication Quantity is not Quality Interviews to Thank You’s Channels Information Dissemination Relationship Building

14. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” Eugene O’Neill Application for Practitioners

15. Looking Through the VSI Lens Recruitment Recognition Retention

16. Outcomes Organizational capacity building Intent to remain Extra role behavior Attrition or addition And sometimes deletion

17. “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there” Will Rogers Assessment

18. Measuring Satisfaction Need Analysis Priorities Trending Benchmarking The Volunteer Satisfaction Index

19. Need Analysis and Trending

20. VolSat- VSI Education & Research VolSat is owned by Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn, developer of the Volunteer Satisfaction Index (VSI). VolSatwas created for volunteer administrators whose organizations want to make optimum use of the VSI. An education and research entity, the VolSat mission is to build a stronger nonprofit sector through the dedicated understanding of volunteer satisfaction.

21. VolSat – VSI Education & Researchwww.volunteersatisfactionindex.comRoseanna Galindo-Kuhn(503) 864-5229 volsat@att.net THANK YOU!