Switzerland

The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the meaning and understanding of sports volunteering as well as the voluntary workforce in Switzerland. The term volunteering (“Freiwilligkeit”) is used in Switzerland not only for voluntary, unpaid work but also for donating money or goods. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, volunteering has played an important role in Swiss society and particularly in the Swiss sports system. Current surveys show that nearly one out of five persons of the adult population volunteers regularly in sports clubs, and nearly half of all members do volunteer work in their club. About 10 years ago, there was a reduction of volunteering in sports clubs. However, current figures show that the number of volunteers has increased again, although there is neither a national policy nor a specific program in Switzerland to promote volunteering in general or in sports. Volunteers in Switzerland pursue altruistic as well as self-oriented motives. Current studies show that several factors are relevant for the satisfaction of volunteers in sports clubs, for example, interesting tasks, material incentives, appreciation and recognition, and support. For volunteers at sports events, the following motives play an important role community involvement, interpersonal contacts, career orientation, personal growth, and extrinsic rewards.