Tim Schmidt is a healthcare CEO who also volunteers with the United Way of Laredo. A study from Griffith University found that episodic volunteers return to volunteer because their previous experiences gave them satisfaction and a connection to the organization. The study suggests that nonprofits can improve volunteer satisfaction and foster lasting bonds by providing clear tasks and information, and by soliciting feedback from episodic volunteers.

2.  An experienced healthcare CEO, Tim Schmidt
currently serves as the vice president of healthcare
operations at Medistar Corporation and as the chief
administrative officer of Bay Area Regional Medical
Center. Tim Schmidt balances his professional pursuits
as a CEO with his involvement in various community
organizations, including the United Way of Laredo.
In a March 2015 article, United Way stated that it’s
very important for nonprofits to understand the
reasoning and motivation behind the efforts of
episodic volunteers, or individuals who volunteer
periodically instead of continually.

3.  The United Way recently reviewed a study by
researchers at Griffith University in Australia to
better understand why episodic volunteers
return to volunteer with an organization.
According to the study, episodic volunteers
follow a volunteer experience pattern that
begins with a sense of satisfaction from
volunteering and often concludes with a
deeper connection to a particular
organization. United Way notes that it and
other nonprofits work hard to foster a lasting
bond with volunteers.

4.  To help cultivate this bond, the study
found that nonprofits can improve
volunteer satisfaction by providing
detailed information and clearly defining
tasks. The study also suggests that it’s
especially crucial for organizations to
solicit feedback about the volunteer
experience from episodic volunteers.