System of agency between non-profit organizations and potential volunteers in Munich

Abstract

　　Changing values in Germany since the 1970s led voluntary activity given by authorities on an honorary basis to stagnate and gave birth to a new individualistic motivation to participate; “I will do it because it is fun for me.” In the meantime, efforts were made to rebuild mechanisms of participation in civic engagement to cope with this transformation. Among these mechanisms, a mechanism of agency between volunteer organizations and potential volunteers is playing an important role in promoting civic engagement. We carried out research in Munich to clarify a number of the successful mechanisms. As a result, it has become clear that there are various ways to participate via agencies and events and precise consultation and connecting methods have developed to meet the individualistic requirements of each potential volunteer ―for instance, volunteering agencies and the volunteering fair in Munich.