An interesting survey from the Corporation for National and Community Service found that just over one quarter of Americans, nearly 61 million people, volunteered in their communities in 2007.  These volunteers gave 8.1 billion hours of service worth an estimated $158 billion in terms of volunteer-worth.    

Perhaps the best news is that after a six percent decline in total volunteers between 2005 and 2006, volunteering levels stabilized in 2007.  And there were one million more volunteers in 2007 than 2002.

The survey didn't find all was good when it comes to Americans and their time giving back to their communities, however.  One third of those who volunteered in 2006 did not continue to do so in 2007, raising concerns that volunteers are losing interest, are not encouraged to remain with the organization or are feeling burned out.

Despite positive news that volunteer levels are increasing from previous years, there is still much work to be done.  What should organizations do to keep volunteers interested?  Are you encouraged by the results of this study?