The first evaluation I ever led was for The Doula Project. My relationship to The Doula Project started with being a volunteer as a graduate student, and joining the board of directors a few years later.

Based on feedback from the organization’s Leadership Circle, there was a gradual decrease in volunteer shift sign-ups, and as a volunteer-led organization, the board wanted to understand why.

We learned that, despite having over 100 volunteers at the time and expanding to more clinics in most of New York City’s boroughs, volunteer engagement decreased. Why?

Once I graduated and began working full time, I didn’t have time to volunteer anymore. Majority of the volunteers that engaged in the evaluation had the same experience. Also, majority of the volunteers were transient. Many New York City college and graduate students tend to leave the city after graduation. For the ones that stay, transitioning from school to employment presents barriers on volunteering. And for The Doula Project, many of the shifts were during the work week.

Another thing the board and the Leadership Circle wanted to explore was the impact of the organization’s recruitment efforts. As a volunteer, most of the women I helped were women of color, and this was reflected in the experiences of the volunteer base. This was important because, while the organization served mostly people of color, majority of the volunteer base identified as white.