Mary V. Merrill is a volunteer consultant and trainer based in Columbus, Ohio.

Doyle Paul Johnson is a professor of sociology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He wrote the article “Ecumenical Outreach Coalitions: Using Open-System Role-Set Theory to Examine Church and Community Cooperation” for the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (1997).

Clive Mentzel is director of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. OACS is home to more than 60 student service groups that work on local, national, and international problems through hands-on volunteer service.

Denise Davis-Maye is an assistant professor with the social work program in the department of sociology, anthropology and social work at Auburn University in Alabama. Her research focuses on the role of community in African-American families.

Todd Collins is director of the Public Policy Institute at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. The institute aims to empower Western North Carolina to effectively deal with real policy problems by mobilizing community leaders, faculty, residents and students.

Charles E. Zech is a professor of economics at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. He wrote the article “The Value of Volunteers as Resources for Congregations” for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (1998).

Ram A. Cnaan is a leading expert on faith-based social services and the chair of the doctoral program in social welfare at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He wrote the article “Defining Who Is a Volunteer: Conceptual and Empirical Considerations” for the journal Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (1996). He is also director of the Program […]

David Bell is director of the Program for International Development, Community Planning and Environment at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

Christine Letts is interim faculty director at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Massachusetts.