ABSTRACT
Of all stakeholder relationships, those that nonprot organizations have with members or volunteers may be at the same time the most tenuous and the most necessary. Stakeholders who enter into a relationship with a nonprot group, whether it is an alumni association, a professional group, or a social service agency, usually have some need or goal that motivates their joining, donating, serving, or attending. Yet that need or goal is usually self-directed, meaning that if it is not satised or supported, the individual will nd another source for satisfaction or motivation. Similarly, most, if not all, membership-or volunteerbased organizations have needs or goals as well. To address their missions, most oen the need is nancial, with the organization heavily dependent on donations to maintain activities or services. e need may also be for stang, where, in essence, the volunteers are functioning as quasi-employees of the organization. Such great pressures may tempt organizations to exploit donors, volunteers, or clients or to forego truthful disclosure when puery or evasion may bring quicker returns.
