This is a repost of deborahSusan Clarkson's mail to the Summer of Code mentors list (reposted with permission, of course):

Having worked as a volunteer and with volunteers for the past 30 years, there is a myriad of reasons that motivate people to get involved. Most are motivated by a combination of factors.

Those motivated by passion, as Karoly mentioned, are willing to go above and beyond. Passion drives them to overcome their shortcomings, and they accomplish more than one might expect.

Those motivated by reward accomplish their goals, like Stephan's example, and their work is greatly appreciated because they have contributed to a greater good.

Those motivated by the desire to learn often become beacons of experience who lead others through the darkness, as exemplified by Karoly's example of Angie Byron.

However, the community benefits no matter what the motivation. So my opinion is that all volunteers are welcome, and all of their contributions are worthwhile.

On a personal note beyond the discussion of the "effect of the volunteer upon a project", but rather the "effect of the involvement upon a volunteer": The motivation behind a volunteer does have a profound effect upon the volunteer . . . you get out, what you put into your efforts. If you are looking for something, you are likely to find just that and only that. If it's done out the goodness of your heart, you open yourself for a greater goodness than you can ever imagine.

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