| In this study, this researcher investigated what specific motivations and values cause an individual to serve on a Southwestern Michigan not-for-profit health and human services board. Organizational information was provided by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University indicating 2,624 nonprofits in the Western Michigan counties of Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, and Muskegon; with 574 of these organizations falling into the health and human service category. This researcher utilized the Motivations, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI) to survey board members of these health and human services not-for-profit agencies to determine significant motivational factors, and the extent to which certain demographical factors of the board members influence their motivations to serve. Data was collected in a two stage process. First, letters were sent to all 574 health and human service organizations to determine willingness to participate in this study. Second, after determination of participating boards, information packets were sent to all participating organizations providing instructions for individual board members. There were a total of 70 organizations and 437 board members who participated in this study. Data collected by this study indicated no significant differences between board member values and the general population or board members who were compensated and those that were not compensated. However, significant differences in values were found in demographic factors including educational level, educational major, occupational focus, role of the board member, gender, ethnicity, age, years of board service, church attendance, religious affiliation, contribution levels, and if the member received past services. |
