National Service in Israel: Motivations, Volunteer Characteristics, and Levels of Content

Abstract

The importance in Israeli society of service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is well known. Less well known are the voluntary alternatives to serving in the IDF through National Service. This study deals with the characteristics of National Service volunteers, their views and motives for service, their levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their work, and proposals for changes in the National Service. The random sample included 40 volunteers. The instruments were developed specifically for this study. The findings suggest that parents and friends have the greatest influence on the decision to serve in the National Service. Altruistic motives are the main category of motivation for serving, followed by environmental pressure, and idealism. Overall, respondents were satisfied with their experiences, especially in regard to their coworkers' attitudes. Although some dissatisfaction was expressed, it was not with the work itself but rather with the lack of public appreciation.Keywords : National Service; voluntarism; volunteers; voluntary organization; motives; motivation The notion of youth providing some form of voluntary social service is well known and is accepted in many countries (Rapoport, Penso, & Garb, 1994). Such volunteering is part of a long-standing historical tradition, for which references can be found even in the Bible, in association with the right to work with the Tabernacle (Ezra 2:68; Numbers 3:6) and in volunteering for war (Judges 5:3 94common elements with the National Service. Today, National Service is typically identified with programs in which people volunteer for some kind of "civil service" (Sherraden & Eberly, 1990). The specific shape of National Service, in whatever form it may take, is influenced by sociocultural variables of the particular society in which it is implemented (see http://www.americorps. org, 2003). This study focuses on the characteristics, motivations, and opinions of National Service volunteers (NSVs) in regard to their service. Historically, the National Service program of Israel originated in 1971 and served the purpose of providing a substitute for military service for religious girls. It should be understood in the context of the political struggle between the secular and the religious groups in the country. Whereas the religious parties wanted to protect the females from the detrimental effects of military service on their morals, those who were Zionists still believed in some form of substitute service that would accommodate their moral and educational goals (Rappaport et al., 1994).The program is presently run by various organizations that received their mandate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (see http://molsa. gov.il/fr_Mingal.htm, 2003). Some represent the most orthodox sector of the population, whereas others serve less religious or secular groups of individuals who are not accepted to the army because of religious, moral (e.g., conscientious objectors), or medical reasons. The inclusion of the possibility to enlist voluntee...

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“…A small percentage of the NSV program participants also reported being motivated by peer pressure (i.e., service is expected), and religious motives (NSV participation versus service in the army). Similar to links between family history of volunteer work as reported by Becker and Dhingra (2001) and connections between parental and youth volunteer involvement (Eley & Kirk, 1996), research findings also indicate most respondents received support from family members and friends as they participated in the activities of the NSV program (Sherer, 2004). Nelson et al (2004) All volunteer motives (i.e., self-development, affiliation, and altruism) associated to satisfaction with the strongest relationship found between satisfaction and affiliation followed by self-development and altruism.…”

“…During this same period, researchers seeking to understand volunteer behavior also investigated means of volunteer motivation measurement (Clary, Synder & Ridge, 1992;Clary, Synder, & Stukas, 1996;Clary Synder, Ridge, Copeland, Staukas, Haugen et aI., 1998;Cnaan & Goldberg-Glen, 1991;). Using the measures created by these individuals, as well as measures created by others, researchers (Becker & Dhingram, 2001;Caldwell & Andereck, 1994;Carlo, Okun, Knight, de Guzman, 2004;Eley & Kirk, 2002;Finkelstein, Penner, & Brannick, 2005;Martinez & McMullin, 2004;Sherer, 2004;Nelson, Hooker, DeHart, Edwards, & Lanning, 2004;Strigas & Jackson, 2003) explored volunteer motivation in relation to several other variables.…”

“…Research findings also indicated actual motivation to begin and continue volunteer involvement, whether this consists of contributing actual person-hours or merely joining a recreation-related society, and occurs because of a complex set of Other variables associated with likelihood to engage in volunteer activities included social ties (Becker & Dhingra, 2001) and family support or history of volunteering (Eley & Kirk, 1996;Sherer, 2004), education, and marital status (Becker & Dhingra, 2001). Variables important to continuation of volunteer work include past volunteer experience, length of service, training, achievement, and actual task perceptions provide potentially positive influences on volunteer continuation (Gidron, 1984 from an environment in which organizational newcomers proceed through specified stages of advancement (i.e.…”

“…Sherer (2004) utilized three different reviewers as part of the theme and data interpretation process to enhance the reliability of the researcher findings. In addition to the content analysis, Sherer calculated ratios for each category that emerged from the data.…”

“…Using the measures created by these individuals, as well as measures created by others, researchers (Becker & Dhingram, 2001;Caldwell & Andereck, 1994;Carlo, Okun, Knight, de Guzman, 2004;Eley & Kirk, 2002;Finkelstein, Penner, & Brannick, 2005;Sherer, 2004;Nelson, Hooker, DeHart, Edwards, & Lanning, 2004;Martinez & McMullin, 2004;Strigas & Jackson, 2003) explored volunteer motivation in relation to several other variables. From these investigations, we see that unpaid and paid organization members have both similar and dissimilar perceptions of organizational life.…”