Needs and Challenges for Volunteering in Rural Areas: Lessons Learned From a Survey of a Service Organization in Rural Michigan.

Background And Objectives: Volunteers are the foundation of social service agencies in rural communities, yet limited research exists on their needs and challenges. Motivated by the multidimensional older voluntarism sustainability framework, this study aims to understand (1) the characteristics of volunteers, (2) the relationships between volunteers' sense of community and their own aging and volunteer retention, and (3) the unique challenges faced by volunteers and volunteer-based agencies.

Research Design And Methods: This study uses a mixed-methods design.