Social Activism in Transition
Social Activism in Transition

Why Activists Resign from Working and Volunteering in the Third Sector

Author(s): Aleksandra Belina
Subject(s): Pedagogy
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: non-profit organizations; third sector; grassroots initiatives; social activism in Poland
Summary/Abstract: Social work professionals are engaged in long-standing partnerships with NGOs in addressing the needs of people at risk of exclusion, as well as prevention and development of community capacity. The aim of this paper is to provide a qualitative analysis of the reasons behind the termination of voluntary and paid jobs done by volunteers and workers of non-profit organizations. The research discloses a phenomenon described as a ‘social activism in transition, ’which should be taken into account by helping professions. The analysis is based on two research periods: 2016–2017 and 2018–2019, when 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among former volunteers and workers of non-governmental organizations in Warsaw. The chapter includes a critical literature review, description of the research methodology and conclusions that have emerged from the study, as well as some ethical concerns of qualitative research on civil society. The results showed that most of the researched nonprofit organizations struggle with a plethora of problems and obstacles related to managemental, financial, and relational aspects. The majority of the interviewed former workers and volunteers strove to situate voluntary and paid work in NGOs between legally framed, highly formalized activity attached to growing business standards, on the one hand, and unrestrained, mission-based acts of kindness and empathy, on the other.

• Details
• Contents