This section is about collective action by professional associations or (sub-groups of professionals with a shared interest) organizing formal volunteer initiatives.
Produced by Community Brands, YourMembership, and Abila, this study reports on answers given by over 1,000 association members to what they want from their membership and what keeps them renewing.
Study by Womens Way in Philadelphia shows how critical business skills, like problem solving, coaching/mentoring, and public speaking are developed and improved through volunteerism.
, 2006, pp. 16
TechSoup Global handbook for recruiting, matching and managing technical volunteers, particularly for assignments in Web design, DOC, PDF
, 2009, pp. 60
Gives an annual community service award for "sustained, pro bono service to the community demonstrating sound principles or values of landscape architecture." See 2009 winner: http://www.asla.org/AwardRecipient.aspx?id=23194
About all things related to association management, from ASAE (American Society for Association Executives). Was previously called "Acronym" and that archive is still accessible at http://blogs.asaecenter.org/Acronym/.
An initiative to recruit people with finance skills to volunteer support to microfinance and technology sector developmentsaround the world. Sponsored by the Grameen Foundation. Also see the Points of Light case study on this initiative.
Fascinating program in the UK offering a group of professional trainers who have volunteered to give their time free of charge to registered charities to help them "make a bigger difference by making their training budget go further."
Based in Hungary and with a $250,000 starting grant, HashtagCharity (#Charity) claims to already have signed up 600 technology/Web-skilled volunteers and will match them to small nonprofits anywhere in the world. What's unique is that they have created a way to mine the volunteers' profiles on LinkedIn to determine successful matches with projects. Check it out and see if you can get some expert help.
The Pipeline, Profession & Practice: Community-Based Dental Education Program operates under the auspices of the National Program Office (NPO) located at the Center for Community Health Partnerships at Columbia University Medical Center . It is funded to expand dental services to poor and underserved populations.
Volunteer corps of professional engineers supporting the local capacity of rural communities in developing countries to influence public infrastructure and environmental protection.
Started in 2006 by an American dental and medical student, in recognition of the need for a free portal to connect health professionals (or all kinds) to volunteering opportunities around the world.
Since 1971, some 15,000 MSF volunteers have provided medical relief to the victims of natural disaster and war in over 80 countries. When medical relief is not enough to save lives, volunteers speak out and advocate on "forgotten" and "hot news" issues alike.
National Association of Asian American Professionals
The largest and fastest growing Asian American professional organization in the U.S. and Canada , "forging leaders of tomorrow through professional development, cultural awareness, and community service."
"Net Impact is a community of more than 50,000 student and professional leaders creating positive social and environmental change in the workplace and the world."
A blog for those interested in integrating the pro bono ethic into their careers — giving their time and talent to strengthen nonprofit organizations. Part of the Taproot Foundation site.
Compiled by the Resource Center of the Corporation for National and Community Service, this page links to a wealth of learning materials on pro bono volunteering, including the Nonprofit Readiness Toolkit for Pro Bono Volunteering.
Examples of how event organizers incorporate community service into their programs. Search on "volunteering and community service" to see charitable work of all the regions.
To "mobilize the project management community in order to generate high value, skilled volunteer project management services for the Not for Profit community and charitable organizations."
Taproot is focused on encouraging pro bono donations of professional services. Here are articles and research reports about business and professional community engagement.
The United Nations Information Technology Service, promotes volunteer involvement as fundamental to efforts focused on information and communications technologies for development ( ICT4D ). United Nations Volunteers service coordinates this UN ICT initiative.
Established in 1969, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in New York City is the pioneer in arts-related legal aid and educational programs about the legal and business issues that affect artist and arts organizations. They provide a national VLA Directory by state to assist the arts community in areas outside of the New York region and recommend contacting your local and state arts council and bar association if seeking information and access to services.
Volunteering Is CSR: The VolunteerMatch Blog for Business Leaders
Extensive collection of original papers written for the for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Conference on Volunteering and ICTs, December 2003.
Professional/Trade Associations
Geraldine Hyland
Submitted by Geraldine Hyland, The Canadian Payroll Association
, Canada
I coordinate volunteers in a professional trade association setting which provides leadership in advocacy and education. In effect, these are busy people who give of their valuable time and use their skills to better serve their profession. I am the 'glue' so to speak which binds the Volunteer Management Committee together. I do not supervise as much as support and counsel these volunteers. Is there anybody out there who has the same type of role in a professional or trade association?? If so I'd love to share ideas!! geraldine@payroll.ca
