Decline of Volunteerism

Part 1: The Decline of Volunteerism - and Why It Matters for All of Us

Over the past two decades, volunteerism in the United States has quietly, but dramatically, declined. Only 23% of Americans volunteered in 2021, down from nearly 30% in the early 2000s.¹ That means millions fewer people helping their communities, serving on boards, or lending professional expertise.

Researchers call this a symptom of “time poverty” when people feel they no longer have the hours, energy, or financial flexibility to give back.² Economic strain, shifting family structures, and the loss of traditional community institutions have left fewer opportunities to connect and serve.³

But this isn’t just a civic problem. It’s a professional one.

In fields like athletic training, the same disengagement we see in communities is appearing within our own ranks fewer members volunteering for state and national committees, fewer voices stepping into advocacy roles, and fewer professionals shaping the conversations that define our future.

Volunteerism is the invisible scaffolding that holds both society and professions together. Without it, progress slows and representation disappears.

Can professional associations bring volunteers back through continuing education incentives?

Part 2: Could Continuing Education Be the Key to Reviving Volunteerism?

As volunteer numbers shrink, professional associations across disciplines face a sobering reality, the same small group of people does most of the work.

In athletic training, that means fewer clinicians serving on boards, fewer educators contributing to committees, and fewer emerging professionals finding mentorship through involvement. It’s not from a lack of interest, it’s a lack of capacity.

What if we reimagined volunteer service as continuing education?

If meaningful participation - like serving on a board, volunteering at an event, contribute to legislative advocacy, or attending state meetings - qualified for CEUs, we’d acknowledge that professional service is professional growth.

This approach could:

Recognize the educational and leadership value of service.

Offer flexible, relevant CE opportunities for those balancing busy careers and family.

Strengthen our pipeline of leaders and advocates.

Provide more strength in numbers.

It’s time to reward engagement that benefits the entire profession, not just attendance at courses or conferences.

Why is engagement at the state and national level critical to the future of athletic training?

Part 3: Professional Engagement - The Bridge Between Service and Influence

Volunteerism doesn’t only strengthen communities; it builds professional power.

For athletic trainers, involvement in state and national associations is how we ensure that decisions about our practice aren’t made without us. Volunteers drive legislation, organize conferences, lead committees, and shape how our profession evolves.

When fewer people participate, we lose diversity of thought, weaken our advocacy, and risk stagnation. Engagement isn’t about titles or politics - it’s about protecting our identity and ensuring our relevance within healthcare.

Every athletic trainer who serves adds a unique voice:

The clinician who testifies on behalf of AT licensure.

The educator who mentors the next generation.

The researcher who informs evidence-based practice.

Volunteer leadership keeps our profession alive, visible, and respected.

Should it be required to volunteer at the different level of athletic training?

Can athletic training maintenance reframe service as a professional expectation - not an optional act - could help rebuild our foundation?

Part 4: Reframing Service - From Optional to Essential

The decline in volunteerism isn’t inevitable - it’s reversible. But it requires a shift in how we define professional responsibility.

In athletic training, volunteering shouldn’t be seen as “extra.” It’s the foundation of everything we do - from legislative advocacy and educational reform to conference programming and community outreach.

When professional associations recognize service as continuing education, they send a clear message:

Engagement is not just appreciated - it’s expected.

CE for service could bridge the gap between individual growth and collective advancement, ensuring that every hour spent leading, teaching, or advocating strengthens both the professional and the profession.

Volunteerism builds culture, voice, and legacy.

Is volunteerism not a pillar to Professional Responsibility (Domain 5)?

When athletic trainers step up, they don’t just give their time - they give direction to the future of healthcare.

Part 5: Professional Responsibility and the Power of Volunteerism

In athletic training, Professional Responsibility (Domain 5) isn’t just about maintaining certification or fulfilling ethical duties - it’s about embodying the values that move our profession forward.

The BOC Practice Analysis (8th Ed.) defines Domain 5 as encompassing leadership, professional development, advocacy, and collaboration - all of which are inseparable from service.

Volunteerism is how those principles come to life.

When athletic trainers volunteer to:

Serve on state or national committees, Contribute to community health events, or Mentor students and early professionals, - they’re practicing professional responsibility in action.

Yet as national volunteer rates decline, we risk losing not just participation, but the culture of shared accountability that sustains our profession.

Reimagining Volunteerism as a Core Competency

If we view volunteerism through the lens of Domain 5, it becomes more than goodwill - it becomes an essential marker of professional maturity.

Integrating structured volunteerism or leadership service into CEU frameworks could reinforce this connection, ensuring that athletic trainers grow not only in clinical skill but also in professional citizenship.

Athletic training was built on service - to patients, to athletes, and to one another. Upholding Domain 5 means continuing that legacy through intentional, sustained engagement.

When we give our time, we give our profession its direction.

References:

U.S. Census Bureau & AmeriCorps (2023). Volunteering and Civic Life in America.

University of Georgia (2024). “New Study Links U.S. Decline in Volunteering to Economic Conditions.”

Futurity (2024). “Why Are Fewer People Volunteering?”

Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (2024). Practice Analysis, 8th Edition.

National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2023). Code of Ethics.

Washington Post (2023). “Fewer People Are Volunteering — and Not Enough Are Being Asked.”

Washington Post (2024). “The United States Is Experiencing a Decline in Volunteerism.”

Cincinnati Cares (2024). “Why America Is Experiencing a Decline in Volunteerism — and How We Can Reverse It.”