Not all Employee Volunteering Programs Are Created Equal

Understanding what kind of EVP your company has may be the key to the success you've been looking for.

Not all volunteering is the same.

For example, if you show up at a non-profit once a year, volunteer for the day, and post a facebook photo of yourself in your newly earned t-shirt....well, I guess that’s one type of volunteering. On the other hand, if you return on a regular basis to the same non-profit, develop a relationship with the people who work there, give financially to the organization, and promote their cause to your friends - that’s entirely different. These examples are both “volunteering” - but the latter offers rewards that the former simply cannot give.

Making Distinctions

When it comes to employee volunteer programs, the difference lies between annual “Impact Days” and long-term partnerships agreed to by a company and a non-profit. Understanding the differences is essential for an effective assessment of any EVP.

A recent study in the UK performed by Corporate Citizenship surveyed 546 employees about their experiences with employer-supported volunteering. The study was limited to volunteering that occurred in schools and colleges. The report, Volunteering – The Business Case, was commissioned by the City of London Corporation.

While the report provides a wealth of information, the most important aspect is the distinction it makes between various types of volunteering activities. “It is also important to note that different volunteering activities are more effective in developing specific skills and competencies.” 

Doesn’t sound like rocket science, but these distinctions are rarely noted by companies - in fact, most companies approach volunteering as if its is entirely one-dimensional. Activities are often lumped  together in large groups which limits what a company can learn about the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the program. It also eclipses key pieces of data could be (and should be) used for improvement.

Experience First

Try thinking of it this way: If your employees volunteered for a 4-hour “Day of Service,” what skills would you expect them to glean and bring back to their jobs? Any? How about a sense of how to effectively build teams or problem-solve or manage crises? No? Of course not. Nobody learns these skills well in just one day.

What did the “Day of Service” achieve? Let’s see....it was fun, right? It provided half a day out of the office and an opportunity to new people in the company. It was a chance to do something helpful for the community and an opportunity to learn about a potentially unfamiliar social issue. 

Most importantly, it was an experience - an opportunity to discover something. Typically, 42% of those who volunteer through your company will be volunteering for the very first time. Episodic volunteer events offer a chance to fall in love with volunteering.

But that’s it.

Taking it to the Next Level

It’s a start. Falling in love with volunteering is an essential stage of the journey. Unfortunately, the returns most companies and communities are hoping for from employee volunteering won’t happen until the later stages, which we’ve explained here.

The problem with most employee volunteering programs is that only a handful offer the opportunity for employees to volunteer at their “highest level of contribution.” If companies hope to realize the promised benefits of employee volunteering, its time to pave the way for partnerships with nonprofits that enable significant and long-term opportunities. Read further discussion on doing this here.

If your company is interested in taking its employee volunteering program to the next level, you may want to schedule a Canvas Design workshop. Just contact us at the info below:


chrisjarvis@realizedworth.com - or - 
angela@realizedworth.com
317.371.4435

Not all Employee Volunteering Programs Are Created Equal