ההתנדבות פנים רבות לה: חוויית ההתנדבות בגל הראשון של מגפת הקורונה בראי דפוסי ההתנדבות

The goal of the present study was to test differences in the volunteering experience during the Corona pandemic according to three volunteering patterns: traditional volunteering that takes place mainly face-to-face, virtual volunteering that occurs through digital means and hybrid volunteering that combines virtual and traditional volunteering. The research sample included 657 volunteers during the first wave of the Corona pandemic. Four aspects of the volunteering experience were tested: the motivational, the affective, the cognitive and the behavioral. A mixed-method design was used and the data were collected via questionnaires that were distributed by an electronic link. In the qualitative part, a thematic analysis of the participants’ answers to an open-ended question in which they were asked to describe special moments they experienced during their volunteering were analyzed. The volunteering experience of the hybrid volunteers was positive in some aspects: they are motivated by social solidarity and feel that they contribute to their clients more than the others, and exhibit the greatest commitment to volunteer. However, they are less satisfied than the others from the professional accompaniment during their volunteering and are characterized by a higher negative affect. The virtual volunteers exhibit relatively low commitment to volunteering and their satisfaction from the feedback they receive from the beneficiaries is lower. The content of the special moments of traditional and hybrid volunteers is usually emotional, with the volunteer at the center, whereas the special moments of the virtual volunteers are related to affording purposeful assistance, with the beneficiary at the center. Practical recommendations for non-profit organizations that activate volunteers are presented.