Responses to: Workplace Volunteerism: Have We Thought this Through?

Responses to:
Workplace Volunteerism: Have We Thought this Through?

Submitted on 21 April 2005 by Marcia Long, Washington Mutual Bank, Asst Vice Pres, Seattle WA USA
Workplace volunteering fills several needs. Many nonprofits need a large group of committed volunteers to manage an annual event -- from set-up to take-down. Employees who are volunteering from the sponsoring company establish a deeper relationship with that nonprofit. Employee volunteers have various skill sets, allowing nonprofits to engage skilled volunteers. Employee volunteers usually have varied work schedules so they can help at different times, which helps nonprofits and schools. And, employees who can volunteer where they want to have feelings of loyalty to their company, creating less turnover. Many companies support employee volunteering with "dollars for doers" programs, paid staff to manage the volunteer program and release time. These efforts enhance their regular philanthropy. Sometimes it is difficult for a large brick building to show its humanity -- an employee volunteer program demonstrates to consumers that this company truly cares about the community it serves.

Submitted on 10 November 2004 by Reed Dewey, Points of Light Foundation, Director, Corporate Partnerships, Washington, DC USA
I work at the Points of Light Foundation on workplace volunteering issues. In our work with businesses we emphasize that workplace volunteering should be about meeting the needs of the community, employees and, yes, the company. The Foundation works with over 360 member volunteer centers that often provide resources and services to local businesses around volunteering. Find the volunteer center near you at www.1-800volunteer.org. I thank Susan for talking about working to encourage smaller smaller and mid-sized businesses to encourage employee volunteering and flex-time. Right on! I worked with Susan in my old AARP days and she's a gem! Thanks for all you do!

Submitted on 23 September 2004 by Kim Klisch, Guild Incorporated, Volunteer Coordinator, West St. Paul, MN USA
If some businesses promote volunteering to "add a veneer of social conscience to their business practices," I say it's a step in the right direction, albeit for the wrong reason. Involvement of any kind increases the potential for the stirring of real social conscience.

Submitted on 22 September 2004 by Reenie Marshall
Marshall Associates, Principal, Midlothian, VA USA
Regarding the point Susan saved for last, about nonprofit and government organizations that engage in workplace volunteering, here's more food for thought. This point is based on economics, from an economist I know and love... The private, for-profit sector is generally the only one that produces cash revenue. The government gets the majority of its money from taxes, and the non-profit sector from donations. If business wants to spend some of its "earned" money on sending its employees into the community to volunteer, that's its choice and considered "giving back." But for a government or nonprofit organization to spend my tax dollars or my donated dollars on sending its employees into the community as volunteers seems not only redundant (as Susan suggests), but also presumptuous!

Submitted on 11 September 2004 by Pat Whiters, WTCS, Volunteer Director, Lawrence, KS USA
Thinking from a feminist perspective, most women who work outside the home actually have 2 jobs -- inside the home and outside the home. That leaves very little time to volunteer. Employers allowing company time for community service is an excellent way to bridge gaps that sometimes exist between the profit and non-profit structures.

Submitted on 7 September 2004 by Jason E Camis, Franklin County CVB, Director, Ottawa, KS
I disagree with the thought that nonprofit and government employees shouldn't be able to do volunteer work during "company" time. We are continually asking that these groups operate more and more like businesses yet we don't want to offer them the same opportunities in terms of benefits, etc. that some of the best companies offer.

Many nonprofit employees I've met don't do a lot beyond their job simply because of the mental/physical demands placed on them in their jobs. Allowing them company time to volunteer, etc. is a great way to get them past that and further involved in a community. It also helps the organization that need it, as well as it should help their own organization by what the volunteers take from the experience. It shouldn't be a reason to not be creative in our recruitment techniques, but it has the potential to create more socially aware and involved individuals beyond their regular work.

Submitted on 6 September 2004 by Hillary Roberts, Project Linus NJ Inc., President, Keyport, NJ USA
Our agency has experienced what we perceive as "pecking order volunteerism" from companies.

Management and board members offering funding and flex time to their staff while employees volunteer as weekend warriors at charity events, or coordinate in-house charity fun-raisers as part of the social/civic company philosophy.

We have also met corporate staffers who prefer to decide for themselves where to volunteer or make a financial contribution rather than have those decisions suggested by their employer.

Having been on the receiving end of generous and impactful company support, I think both sides of the socially responsible table can learn a great deal from each other....and often do.

Submitted on 4 September 2004 by Randi Abrams-Gonzalez, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Volunteer Coordinator, San Pedro, CA USA
This topic reminds me of the “pushme-pullyou” from Dr. Doolittle. I too prefer sincere volunteering and I’d say that for 99% of our volunteers this is true, even for our corporate volunteers. It’s also true that corporations are some of our major funders.

Corporate volunteers help out mainly at large community events and fundraisers. I like working with the corporate volunteers because they do a lot of these type events and I can be sure that the job will get done with little or no supervision. The corporate volunteers I’ve met have a sincere interest in our facility and welcome the chance to visit us and help out.

The other side of the coin is that I get asked by staff to make connections with corporations to encourage volunteering for our daily programs. Many corporate funders ask if any of their employees volunteer for us in their grant applications. I’ll make the connections but find it’s just not fruitful for most of our day-to-day needs. Our daily needs are met by the local community and student volunteers.
This isn’t really a response but just some thoughts on the issue. Thank you for the opportunity.

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