A study of the membership of the national FFA alumni association: volunteering, loyalty, and benefits
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: There has been little research conducted related to the National FFA Alumni Association since its establishment in 1971.The purposes of this study were to determine the demographic characteristics of the membership of the National FFA Alumni Association, determine whether differences exist regarding members" motivation to join and engage themselves in the local FFA Alumni affiliate, and whether differences exist in members" loyalty to the FFA Alumni at the national and local levels based on their level of engagement.This descriptive study utilized survey research to accomplish the purpose, assessing the motivational functions for volunteering and measuring loyalty to the local FFA Alumni affiliate and the National FFA Alumni Association.The population of this study was the membership of the National FFA Alumni Association for the 2009-2010 membership year (N = 49,589).A proportional stratified random sample (n = 1,000) was used to identify study participants and ensure representation from the four membership regions of the National FFA Alumni Association.Based on a final usable sample (n = 913), the researcher obtained a final response rate of 43.7% (n = 399).The National FFA Alumni Association is comprised of predominantly white, male, college-educated, actively engaged former FFA members with an average age of 49.6 years.The results of independent sample t-tests indicated a significant difference between male and female members in the importance they place on six motivations for volunteering.Female members were considerably higher in the motivational functions of values, understanding, enhancement, social, career, and protective.A correlation analysis also indicated that age of the respondents played a role in the motivation to volunteer.Older members were less motivated in the areas of career, understanding, values, and enhancement.Paired samples t-tests determined members were significantly more loyal to the local FFA Alumni affiliate than the National FFA Alumni Association.There was also a significant difference in the loyalty of members based on their level of engagement with a local FFA Alumni affiliate with more highly engaged members expressing more loyalty to the association.those that thought I might quit after a few setbacks, but those doubters did not know my resolve, or what some would refer to as stubbornness.I want to thank my father and grandfather for my heritage that provided me with the tenacity to complete the task.I know both would have been very proud of me had they still been alive to see it.I look forward to the next few months getting reacquainted with my wife, Fay.I am among the most blessed people on earth to have a wife that is so supportive, encouraging, and sacrificial for such a long term investment of time and energy.She may also have a heritage that refuses to give up, or allow me to consider quitting, as was evidenced several times when the opportunity presented itself.She kept pushing me to continue, encouraged me when I got discouraged, and spent many nights by herself while I was upstairs reading, writing, or studying.For that love and support I am truly grateful.I also want to thank Dr. Steve Harbstreit for his encouragement through this process.If it wasn"t for his assurance that I could do this from a distance, I would either not have finished, or I would not have moved to Indiana.His advice, assistance, and encouragement kept me moving forward.And thanks to the rest of my committee; Dr. Ken Hughey for his excellent editing skills; Dr. Tweed Ross for staying with me until his retirement; Dr. Todd Goodson for joining me mid-stream when I needed someone to fill an empty spot
Author: Gossen, Larry Alan
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6656398