A 1988 Gallup study offers some insight into the extent of the volunteer liability issue. Since most of the facts regarding volunteer liability have not changed since 1988, we believe that the findings of the study would be similar if undertaken today. The study was sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives and funded by the Gannett Foundation. This study also concentrated on director and officers liability, some revealed very interesting data on the effect of this crisis on direct service volunteers. 48,000 is a significant number of volunteers.
Resignation is a very drastic measure.
One in six volunteers report withholding their services due to fear of exposure to liability suits. If this figure is applied to the number of nonprofit groups, then as many as 100,000 American volunteers have declined to serve due to fear of exposure to lawsuits. This is an extraordinary figure. This survey also highlighted the increased cost of liability insurance premiums for associations in recent years. This study revealed that the extent to which the threat of law suits, and the prohibitive cost of liability insurance, have a negative effect on volunteer participation in charitable organizations and associations.