Rebuilding Professional Engagement

Volunteerism, CE Incentives, and the Future of Athletic Training

Across the United States, volunteerism has declined significantly over the past two decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, only about 23% of Americans formally volunteered in 2021 — the lowest rate since data collection began.¹ This represents a steep drop from nearly 30% in the early 2000s. The causes are complex and interconnected: economic pressure, shifting demographics, social disengagement, and institutional fatigue have all contributed to fewer people offering their time to civic and professional causes.

For athletic trainers, this decline is particularly concerning because volunteer engagement is closely tied to Domain 5: Professional Responsibility, which emphasizes leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and ethical practice. Volunteerism provides an opportunity to demonstrate professional responsibility beyond the clinic or classroom by contributing to governance, education, and public policy.

Why People Have Stopped Volunteering

Research from the University of Georgia links much of the decline in volunteerism to economic hardship and “time poverty.”² Many individuals work longer hours or multiple jobs, leaving less capacity for unpaid service. Others cite changing community structures — as younger populations move to urban areas and social institutions like churches and civic clubs weaken, fewer opportunities for connection and local engagement exist.³ Additionally, studies show that one of the strongest predictors of volunteering is simply being asked to help.⁴ As organizations shrink and staff are stretched thin, fewer recruitment efforts occur, creating a feedback loop of declining engagement.

For athletic trainers, these same social and professional pressures may reduce participation in committees, boards, and advocacy initiatives — which are critical avenues for fulfilling Domain 5 responsibilities.

Could Continuing Education Incentives Reinforce Volunteerism?

Professional associations, including those in athletic training, rely heavily on volunteer participation to sustain governance, advocacy, and event operations. However, these associations face the same disengagement trends seen in society at large. One potential solution is to reward volunteerism with continuing education units (CEUs) or even require limited service participation for certification maintenance.

Offering CEUs for service on boards, committees, or event support could help reframe volunteerism as professional development aligned with Domain 5, rather than an optional extra. This approach would:

• Recognize the educational value of volunteer experiences, particularly in leadership, collaboration, and policy development.

• Encourage mid-career professionals — who may struggle to balance work, family, and CE requirements — to stay engaged in governance through structured incentives.

• Strengthen advocacy and leadership pipelines by ensuring experienced clinicians, educators, and emerging leaders contribute to organizational development.

To ensure fairness, CE credit would need clear criteria: documented hours, defined learning outcomes, and alignment with the BOC continuing education domains, including professional responsibility. By integrating volunteerism into CE frameworks, associations can reinforce the link between service and ethical, leadership-driven practice.

Why Professional Involvement Matters for Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers play an increasingly complex role in the healthcare and performance landscape — functioning as clinicians, educators, and wellness advocates. Engagement at the state and national levels is critical to ensure that policy, scope of practice, and public perception evolve alongside the profession.

Active participation allows athletic trainers to:

• Influence legislation and regulation that define practice standards and patient access.

• Promote visibility and credibility among other healthcare professions and policymakers.

• Contribute to leadership development and ensure that diverse voices are represented in decision-making.

• Stay informed and connected to emerging trends in education, safety, and innovation.

Volunteer service exemplifies Domain 5 — demonstrating leadership, ethical responsibility, and advocacy in practice. Without engagement, advocacy weakens, communication stalls, and the profession risks losing influence in healthcare and legislative conversations.

Conclusion

The national decline in volunteerism is both a social and professional challenge. For athletic training, it represents an opportunity to rethink how engagement is valued and rewarded. By recognizing service as a legitimate form of continuing education — or by incorporating structured volunteerism into credential maintenance — professional associations can rebuild a culture of participation that sustains advocacy, education, and innovation.

When athletic trainers volunteer, they do more than give their time — they fulfill Domain 5 professional responsibilities, modeling leadership, ethical practice, and commitment to advancing the profession. Volunteerism is not just goodwill; it is professional duty.

References

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

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

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

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

scd 12/1/2025