The general purpose of this study was to describe, through the Vroom's (1964) Expectancy Theory, the motivational components of voluntary work developed by Pastoral da Criança volunteers in Natal, Brazil. Based on the model mentioned, an interview draft was applied to a group of 9 volunteers. Previously, all leaders in Natal response a questionary regarding their social-demographic profile. The analysis of the results indicated that the volunteers' motivational force can be considered medium, because although the described valences and identified expectations have been, in a general, high, the verified instrumentality was less expressive. It is important to state the epistemological challenge regarding this research because studies of human behavior in voluntary organizations are scarce. In the other hand, there is a large literature take into account work as a synonym of employ and income. Finally, it is important to point out that, considering the Expectancy Model as a motivational process theory, the results must be taken as effects of a specified moment and context.
work; voluntary organizations; motivation
