Why should I integrate family volunteering at my company?
What can I do?
What Other Companies Have to Say
Why should I integrate family volunteering at my company?
How Does Family Volunteering Benefit Businesses?
- Family Volunteering increases employee morale and builds a positive attitude in the workplace.
- Family Volunteering improves the workplace by breaking down barriers among employees, reinforcing teamwork and building commitment.
- Family Volunteering in the workplace adds an extra dimension of sharing and caring and creates a sense of community among employees.
- Family Volunteering enhances quality time for families by allowing learning opportunities and positive role modeling for children.
- Family Volunteering provides opportunity for skill development in such areas as leadership, problem-solving, and public speaking, as well as improved organizational skills.
- Family Volunteering has a positive impact on a company’s image in the community and demonstrates a company’s commitment to the communities in which it does business.
Why should our company support family volunteering projects?
A recent study by Deloitte & Touche found overwhelming support for company-supported volunteering. According to the 2004 survey**
- 72% of employed Americans would pick the company that supports charitable causes when deciding between two jobs with the same location, responsibilities, pay and benefits.
- 92% of Americans believe it is important for companies to offer employees volunteer opportunities.
- 58% say that workplace volunteering helps boost morale.
- 87% believe companies should contribute cash, products, or in-kind services to non-profit community groups.
Businesses that promote Family Volunteering report significant results*:
- 70% report improved public and community relations
- 57% report greater employee commitment
- 15% report more productive employees
- 12% report fewer hours lost for family responsibilities
Information provided by the Points of Light Foundation – Youth and Family Outreach, 1400 I Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 2005
*Conference Board Survey, 1997
**Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, 2004. Volunteer Leadership January-March 2005.
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I run a community service/volunteer program at my company. What can I do?
One of the most creative ways that companies can help is by sponsoring a family volunteering event in your area. By having your name and company logo on T-shirts, banners, and promotional materials, you will be increasing your company’s goodwill in the community.
Organizations such as i-concepts can help provide cost-effectve visual materials to help promote your event. Depending on the project, many organizations may also be willing to either donate their services or provide them at lower-than-normal rates.
In addition, you may want to get your employees involved in the volunteering project. Employees and their children can help together, reducing the requirement that they take away from their family time to volunteer with coworkers. By helping a cause that your company supports, the employees will also become more loyal to your company’s philanthropic priorities. This will ultimately increase employees’ overall commitment and perception of your organization.
Another great idea is to invite your business partners, clients and customers to the event. Not only will you be showing them that as a company, you are a committed member of the community, but you will be able to spend more one-on-one time with a valued client outside of the office. This could lead to future sales and increased earnings for your company.
If you would like help finding an organization to support, mobilizing your employees (and/or clients), and arranging a productive event in your community, please send us an email for more information. We would be more than happy to help you.
*If you are interested in recruiting volunteers for an event, click here to login and post an event description for community members to see.*
For more information on this and how The Volunteer Family can help, please click here to see recent press.
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What Other Companies Have to Say
“Volunteer projects give employees the opportunity to come together as colleagues and make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our communities.”
– Joyce Fung-Yee, Employee Community Involvement Manager, Levi Strauss & Co.
Here are a couple of real life examples:*
- The Corporate Volunteer Council of Central Maryland and 125 volunteers from Baltimore-area companies and organizations joined together for a one-day clean up. A shelter’s bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways were painted, repaired and cleaned. Picnic tables and flower boxes were constructed for the shelter courtyard. A collection drive provided linens, children’s toys and toiletries for the shelter.
- Recent projects for employees at Legacy Health System included environmental restoration in Portland’s 5,000-acre Forest Park, restoration of bicycles for needy children, and opportunities to serve on community litter patrols.
- Through Levi Strauss & Co.’s Volunteer Day 2001, more than 2,600 employees participated in volunteer projects at more than 60 non-profit community organizations. In the San Francisco Bay Area alone, volunteer projects included painting murals at schools, planting gardens at community centers, sorting clothing at a clothing bank, and refurbishing day care centers.
* Source: The Points of Light Foundation. Corporate Volunteering Section. Key Steps for a Successful Company-Sponsored Project.
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