Utilizing volunteers in theatres

This thesis focuses on how Philadelphia theatres can more robustly utilize volunteers and implement volunteer programs, as an argument for the integration of a Volunteer Manager in organizational structure. A survey of Philadelphia theatres revealed that while nonprofit theatres in Philadelphia understand that volunteers should have a larger role in their organizations, theatres don't quite grasp how involved volunteers can be, and as a result, are unable to articulate a reason for hiring a VM. Using data from the Department of Labor, and studies on the impact of volunteerism, this paper outlines how to identify the volunteer needs of a theatre, why people volunteer as a means to understand how to best recruit, and how to recruit. Additionally, this paper attempts to crystallize why theatres need to include a VM in their organizational structure. Looking forward, the recommendation of this thesis is that theatres begin to look more closely at how they utilize volunteers and how they can begin to create a more formal structured volunteer program, with an eye towards eventually integrating a VM into the staff structure.