Archive for the ‘Volunteering’ Category

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12 Benefits from Employee Volunteer Programs

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

Employee volunteer programs are a great way to not only benefit your community, but also your workplace environment and employees. It is easy to begin one of these programs within your office environment. By serving your community as an organization, the community will get to know your business and their employees. Establishing a personal connection with the community will improve the overall attitude that your community has toward your business.

Do you still not believe that an employee volunteer program is worth the time and energy? Check out the top twelve benefits reported by companies who have employee volunteer programs as part of their business plan.

  1. Helps create “healthier communities:” Concepts such as corporate social responsibility create more vibrant and thriving communities because it allows business to practice greener methods and sustainable business measures.
  2. Improves corporate public image: When your business chooses to give back to the community, it is often viewed as a sign of generosity and appreciation from those living in the community. Volunteering shows that your business truly cares about the community and the people with which it operates.
  3. Enhancing impact of monetary donations: Organizations will be more appreciative of your donations when they link a personal value to the donation. Do not just throw money at an organization, but rather help enhance that organization through volunteerism.
  4. Improving relations with community and/ or government: The overall community will think more highly of your business when they see the good that it does for the entire community.
  5. Building employees’ teamwork skills: The best way for your employee to get to know each other outside of a work environment is to serve together. It allows employees to interact with coworkers they may never communicate or work with.
  6. Improving employee morale: Volunteering boosts motivation and allows employees to work with each other outside of an office setting. When employees have the chance to give back in a meaningful way for something they care about, they will feel more positively connected to the organization.
  7. Attracting better employees: Your business will have a better chance at recruiting more motivated and driven employees when it offers the chance to give back to the community in addition to work benefits.
  8. Enhancing employee training: Great way to teach your employees useful skills, through volunteer work.
  9. Improving employee retention: Your employees will feel more connected to the company and want to continue their work there when  they feel the issues they care about are also important to their company.
  10. Enhancing corporate strategic goals: You can model your volunteer program strategy to accomplish your overall mission statement goals.
  11. Enhancing employee productivity: When employees get a break from the office, they become better workers when they return.
  12. Enhancing company productivity: Get your company’s goals accomplished through volunteering!
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The New School Year Means It’s Time to Volunteer!

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Welcome to the first week of school, for the most of us! Yikes! What do you do now that the kids are in school and you have way more free time!

For many parents, this is a time to celebrate the additional free time for other hobbies, besides the kids. For other parents, this is a time for the unknown. It is difficult for many to find other things to do when the kids are at school. Take the added free time for granted and give back to the community through community service. Check out how you can volunteer your time while your kids are at school.

  • Microvolunteering: Microvolunteering is a great way to pass the time. Microvolunteering is a way for an individual to spend a couple of hours giving their time to a nonprofit organization. Tasks can include setting up a nonprofit website to being an online blogger for a nonprofit. Check out Sparked.Com for an opportunity to fit your schedule!
  • School Volunteer: Be an aid to your child’s school. Whether you are a classroom volunteer or you join the PTA, volunteer your voice and your time to make a difference in your child’s overall education. You will be a positive influence on your children by volunteering your time at their school.
  • Host a Bake Sale: Is your child on a school sports team? Volunteer your team at a school bake sale. Present the idea at a school  or booster meeting. Vote on a local nonprofit to raise donations for at the next sporting event. After the vote, decide on the appropriate roles for the event including who will make the baked goods and who will donate the profits from the sale.
  • Clean up time: Volunteer your time to clean up around your child’s school. Schools often need help maintaining their grounds, take the initiative and help out!
  • Paint a mural: Help beautify your child’s sc children hool by painting a beautiful mural. Organize a few parents together to volunteer their time on a weekday or weekend to beautify your local school.
  • Host a school supply drive: We know that school time means big expenses for parents. Host a supply drive for those who cannot afford all of the supplies on the annual teacher list. Whether your sponsor a family, or donate supplies to an individual school, you are making a big difference!
  • Reading time: Be a reader at your local library. Reading is one of the most important gift you can give a child. Volunteering your time at a library will truly help the in your community.
  • Find a grandparent friend: Volunteer your free time at a retirement home. You will find that the rewards completely outweigh everything. You will truly be helping someone in need just by socializing with him or her.

It can be hard to say good bye to your children once they leave for their first day of school. When your volunteer your time for your community, the time away from your children will feel more bearable. Enjoy your alone time and learn more about your community and yourself through volunteering!

Are you volunteering your time this school year? We would love to hear your stories and tips in the comments section below!

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Olympic Athletes Know Good TeamWork!

Monday, August 6th, 2012

The Olympics have been full of excitement and surprise thus far. From seeing Michael Phelps become the most decorated Olympic athlete thus far to watching Gabby Douglas pull in the Gold medal after a stellar performance. It is hard not to be captivated by these athletes’ amazing strength and endurance.

How can we take insight from these spectacular athletes in the nonprofit world? We can take away their message of teamwork. Whether you remember the spectacular performance Jordyn Wieber gave to her team or the undeniable friendship between Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt. We must model this dedicated teamwork when we volunteer in order to be successful!

  1. Support every volunteer: Volunteers come with different background experiences, education, and skill levels. We must left up our fellow volunteers when they are feeling down or commend them for a good job. When a volunteer is ready to give up come to their defense and help them finish the job whether they need an extra hand or a little message of motivation. When someone does a good job, let them know!
  2. Don’t steal someone’s spotlight: If another volunteer is doing a great job, do not take credit for their work. Let your organization know how awesome this individual is whether you are giving them a shout out in a newsletter or discussing their performance at an organizational meeting. It is important to let others know about the awesome work your volunteers are doing.
  3. Make sure volunteers have everything they need: To be successful, a team must have all the necessary components to succeed. Just like a swimmer needs goggles, a bathing suit, and a swimming cap to be successful in the water, a volunteer needs basic materials as well. Make sure you supply volunteers with the necessities such as gloves if they are working outside. Also, supply water bottle and snacks to replenish hard-working volunteers.
  4. Thank you goes a long way: Let your volunteer team know how thankful you are for their service. They will be more willing to support your organization if you let them know how appreciative you are. Just saying individual thank you during and after the project makes a big difference. Also, writing hand written thank you notes is a great way to show your appreciation, as well.
  5. Give them the gold: Discuss having a volunteer of them month award at your organization to recognize extraordinary performance. You can also hold a volunteer award ceremony. These incentives will make your volunteers want to continue playing on your team.

We can learn a lot from our Olympic athletes. Not only do they give back to charities, but they display great team practices, overall. Thank you for representing America so well and teaching us all so much!

What are your favorite Olympic events? We would love to hear about the lessons that you have learned this far during the games in the comments section below!

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Give Your Teachers More than Apples

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

The weather is getting hotter and hotter, the pool is becoming less refreshing, and the kids are starting to get antsy. It’s about that time of the year again… school time! The first day of school is just days away for many kids across the country. The start of school often means stress and instant panic for parents and teachers who scramble to get last minute things together for the new school year.

Being a volunteer for your community’s school is one of the best ways that you can combat school year stress; after all volunteering is proven to make us happier! Whether you are a parent who wants to become more involved in your child’s education or you are an individual just looking to make a difference. Check out our ideas to serve your community’s schools this upcoming year!

  1. Volunteer at the library: Many schools fall short when it comes to keeping up with their library and ensuring proper staffing. Volunteer at your child’s library to help with book donations, shelf organization, checking out books, or reading to children. It is a great way to meet your child’s teachers and remain visible at the school.
  2. Time to take a trip: Volunteer to chaperone for your child’s field trips. Teachers often lack the necessary funding to rent transportation for field trips. Volunteering your time to chaperone or drive will ensure that your child gets an enriching and fun education!
  3. Clean up on the school aisle: Have you noticed that your child’s school grounds could use some beautification? Put together a volunteer cleaning crew who will help clean up the school grounds and restore routine maintenance. Often schools need new paint jobs and other beautification projects. Volunteers can be a great asset to this need.
  4. Teach kids about the work force: Volunteer your workplace as a field trip. If you work somewhere that could be particularly educating to a group of youngsters. Suggest that your child’s teacher bring his or her class for a day of learning!
  5. Share your time and talents: Are you crafty or do you have a green thumb? Volunteer to a classroom volunteer. Teachers often need assistance with small classroom projects. Volunteer to teach children an arts and crafts skill or about gardening.
  6. Hold a donation drive: If you know a school that could benefit from some extra supplies; hold a drive at your workplace. Often teachers have to purchase their own classroom supplies. Help ease the burden on these teachers, by donating things that they need!
  7. Join the club: Volunteer your time with the PTA, planning committees, or school board. You will help make a difference on your community’s education system by being part of the decision making process.
  8. Tutor or mentor: Many kids are forced to go into after school or daycare programs when the school day is over because parents have to work. Volunteer to mentor a child after school. Present a mentoring program to your school, if they do not already have one. It is great way to get kids more motivated about school!

There are so many ways that you can volunteer in your community’s schools throughout the year, these are by no means your only options! Check out your local volunteer centers or speak with your school’s principal to see how your talents can be of use at your local school.

Have your volunteered at a school? We would love to hear about your experience or tips in our comments section below!

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5 Tips to Better Volunteer Communication

Monday, July 30th, 2012

As a volunteer manager, it is important to keep your volunteers up-to-date and in the loop with important information regarding your organization. Communication is also a key step to project management and it should be an essential step in every service project planning steps. What is the best communication strategy for your organization?

Check out our communication suggestions below and decide which one will work best for you!

  1. Social media: Our culture is increasingly becoming more reliant on technology. This heavy reliance makes a social media strategy essential for any emerging business, including the nonprofit sector. If your organization can secure funds to make a social media team possible, it will be worth every penny! Your organization can use social media to communicate important event dates and details, new resources, service projects, nonprofit news, and project tips. Social media can help your organization market itself at a low cost, which will help your organization attract a new audience.
  2. Newsletters: A great way to keep your volunteers informed is to publish a frequent newsletter. Newsletters can contain a variety of information including upcoming projects, organizational news, and volunteer spotlights. Your organization can save money by distributing these newsletters via email lists. The best way to begin compiling email lists is by collecting personal volunteer information on project days.
  3. Telecommunication: Utilizing cellular phone technology is another way to reach a large number of volunteers without taking a lot from your annual budget. Choose a text-messaging program that volunteers can opt into to receive organizational updates and service project information.
  4. Volunteer orientation: Prior to service projects, assign times for volunteer training/ orientation. At volunteer orientation, inform your volunteers about your organization’s mission and purpose, important information regarding the upcoming project (attire, transportation, specific requests), and explain project expectations. Allow volunteers to give input and meet organizational staff and other volunteers.
  5. Volunteer resource guide: Publish your organization’s volunteer resources online for volunteers to access, when needed. These guides can serve as information for volunteers who wish to plan their own projects. These guides should communicate every necessary detail for volunteers so that they know what to expect at each planning and execution step.

 

Project communication is essential to the success of your project. Make sure that you make this step a priority within your organization. As you can see there are many different communication tools that your organization can use that do not cost a great deal of money. It is important for your organization to choose a communication tool that will fit your organization’s style.

How does your organization communicate with its volunteers? We would love to hear your tips, insights, and questions in the comments section below!

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Combat Summer Boredom with Volunteer Work

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

July is a month full of fun in the sun, vacation destinations, and backyard barbecues. Any wonder why it is Anti-Boredom Month, we think not!

If you are actually bored this summer, choosing to do a volunteer project is the best way to combat it! Celebrate July’s anti-boredom theme by being proactive within your community. Check out our volunteer ideas below to get started!

  1. Become a certified lifeguard. Becoming a lifeguard is a great summer job, plus you are really helping out your community by ensuring safety.
  2. Organize a volley ball game in your neighborhood. Proceeds benefit a local nonprofit.
  3. Teach your child the valuable skill of swimming. Drowning is the second leading cause of childhood death.
  4. Hold a school supply drive for the upcoming school year.
  5. Teach a swimming lesson class for kids in your neighborhood.
  6. Make art for a hospital or retirement home.
  7. Volunteer at a senior center’s bingo night.
  8. Volunteer at the zoo or animal shelter.
  9. Educate community members about the dangers of heat related injuries.
  10. Volunteer as a summer camp counselor.
  11. Volunteer to be a dog walker for your busy neighbors.
  12. Adopt a grandparent or mentor a younger child.
  13. Hold a teacher appreciation luncheon.
  14. Hold a book drive for summer reading materials.
  15. Perform a free concert in your local park.
  16. Help a prospective college student prepare for their SAT.
  17. Clean up your local park or river.
  18. Establish a nature preserve in your community.
  19. Start a community garden full of summer fruits and veggies.
  20. Babysit a busy parent’s children for free so that they can finish other obligations.
  21. Clean a bed-ridden neighbor’s home.
  22. Volunteer to buy groceries for a family in need.
  23. Volunteer to be a part of a beach cleanup.
  24. Hold a car wash and donate your profits to a nonprofit in your community.
  25. Volunteer to cut a neighbor’s lawn or clean their pool.

You can beat your summer boredom through so many different volunteer activities. Volunteering will not only benefit you, but also your community. By giving back, you will not only feel less boredom, but you will also be in a much better mood!

Get out in that summer sun and volunteer this month to better your community! You never know the opportunity that awaits you!

How are you volunteering this summer? We would love to hear about your projects in the comments section below!

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4 Steps to a Spectacular EVP!

Monday, July 9th, 2012

According to a 2011 Deloitte survey of volunteer impact, 93% of employees who volunteer are more satisfied with their current employer. Why? Employees feel more connected to their employer when they feel that they are giving back through their profession. They are more likely to establish lasting relationships with their co-workers and feel more respected in their profession.

What is an employee volunteer program? An employee volunteer program is a planned effort sponsored under and individual’s employer to effectively volunteer in the surrounding community. These programs can be carried out through philanthropic partnerships or individual employees.

How can your company better implement a volunteer program as a part of the job description? Check out our tips below to get you started!

  1. Identify business priorities: The first step to establishing a successful workplace volunteer program is to identify which business objectives can be achieved through the actual program efforts. These priorities can be identified in a mission statement. Let employees and outsiders know that volunteering is an important aspect of the overall business of your company or organization. You can better tailor your volunteer interests by studying your current mission statement and matching it to a philanthropic mission.
  2. Identify your employees’ interests: Seek individual interests and concerns to better match your program to what your employees care about. Let your employees know that you want to start a workplace volunteer program. After getting their attention about the program, survey your employees. It is very important to let your employees have their input to allow for more involvement in the projects and help them feel more connected to the company and their new program.
  3. Identify community needs: Your program should target critical community needs that need to be addressed. After you identify the most critical issues that your employees care about, contact your local volunteer groups or community organizations to see how these issues are currently being handled. You can identify an organization to volunteer with based on these assessments.
  4. Put it together: After collecting all the necessary information, you will be ready to prepare a purpose statement. Through your program you will be able to: Connect people with opportunities to serve, build capacity for effective volunteering, promote volunteering, and meet local needs.

Developing an employee volunteer program will not only benefit your community, but it will also generate a more positive workplace for all involved. Get your employee volunteer program started today to see the many benefits that will come!

Need help getting started? Check out our more than 250 action centers nationwide or Points of Light’s Corporate Institute to start a program within your company today!

Have you started an employee volunteer program? Do you have any tips? We would love to hear about it in the comments section below!

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This July 4th Keep the Spirit of America Alive

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

Patriotic spirit is in the air! We are only a day away from fireworks, barbeque, and everything American! Not only is the Fourth of July a great day to relax, spend time with family, and celebrate being an American, but it is also a great time to give back to your country through the act of service.

It is easy to forget that we are all united citizens of this country, meaning that we are all intertwined and have a responsibility to help one another. We also have a responsibility to protect our lands from pollution, toxins, etc. Take a few minutes from your celebrations to remember these values and give back to your community tomorrow!

Below are just a few ways that you can celebrate America in your community!

  1. Make cookies for the firefighters, police men and women, or EMTs. Unlike many of us who get to relax today, July 4th is one of their busiest days of the year!
  2. Thank your favorite teacher for teaching you everything you need to know to be a responsible and successful American.
  3. Feed the hungry! Spend your morning serving at a local soup kitchen or donate food items to a food bank.
  4. Send a military man or woman a care package and thank you letter. It is important to thank our service men for protecting our freedom.
  5. Hold a picnic for the veterans in your community to thank them for their service to our country.
  6. Learn the history of your town by visiting your library. You will be a better-rounded citizen, if you make a conscious effort to learn your city’s history.
  7. Clean up a river or park in your neighborhood. Celebrate living in a beautiful setting by keeping it clean.
  8. Choose greener alternatives such as green cleaning products, recycled plastics, etc. Love your earth and it will love you back.
  9. Fly a recycled American flag, instead of buying a new one. RecycledUSFlags.com is a great resource to find one!
  10. Share your leftover food with someone in need. We all know that family cook outs mean a ton of food, take your leftovers to a neighbor in need. You could even invite them to the cook out!
  11. Invite a needy family to a day of all-American fun complete with a game of corn hole or horse shoes.

July 4th is a great day to unite your community. By participating in good works, you will exemplify what it means to be a good citizen and a great American. Keep America beautiful and the spirit of American patriotism alive today and year round!

How are you celebrating the Fourth of July? We would love to hear your plans in the comments section below!

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Action Heroes Needed!

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Today is a BIG day for youth service! “Why?” you ask. July 2nd is the beginning of generationOn’s summer youth service campaign, Community Action Heroes. In partnership with Hasbro, generationOn wants parents to teach their kids or teens the importance of serving their communities.

Summer is the perfect time to get kids involved in volunteerism with all the extra time they have on their hands! GenerationOn will rally thousands of youth volunteers to become active heroes within their community.

How does it work? Interested parents and youth can access the Community Action Hero application through the generationOn website. Kids can choose a challenge team and project ideas. Once a pledge is made, kids can also challenge their friends to be heroes through the use of social media. Once the challenge is met, kids can share their projects through video, essays, or pictures to inspire other youth. All participants will receive a certificate of completion after the project as well!

What issues can your kid pledge to volunteer for?

  • Animals: Five to seven million animals are rescued by shelters annually. Your child can help animals in the community by donating cat or dog food, bathing and playing with shelter animals, cleaning a dog park, raising money for guide dog training, creating emergency preparedness packs for pets, raising money for animal shelters, etc.
  • Literacy: Although summer is a great time to catch up on a new book, many kids do not have access to reading materials in their community. Kids can make a big difference for their neighbors by writing letters to policy makers asking to make education a priority, reading to other children, holding a book drive, organizing a book fair benefit, etc.
  • Health: Summer is a great time to be active outside, but unfortunately not all kids are healthy enough to play outside. Your child or teen can be a hero for sick children by making a lemonade stand, making books to make a smile, bingo at a senior home, anti-bullying posters, toy drives, etc.
  • Environment: No matter your age or size, we all have the power to improve our environment. Your child or teen can learn the value of helping the environment by getting his or her household to use eco-friendly cleaner, cleaning up a park or nature walk, hosting a green thumb party, cleaning up a lake or river, starting a recycling program, etc.
  • Homelessness: 770,000 homeless children are currently enrolled in United States public schools; the summer time is even harder because they do not have the safety of a school. Your child or teen can get involved in solving this important problem by making a work of art for a shelter, making a pillow buddy, hosting a princess party to collect fairytale books, making health kits, collecting school supplies boxes, advocating for the homeless, etc.
  • Hunger: Although summer is a special time for certain seasonal meal favorites, many kids do not receive their proper nutrients because they do not get school lunches in the summer. Your child or teen can be a hero for hungry children by participating in meals on wheels, making lunches, sharing extra food from their garden, hosting a fundraiser event to tackle hunger, etc.
  • Military: Our military men and women volunteer their lives daily to better our country, Your child or teen can show his or her gratitude to military servicemen  and veterans by making care packages, sending letters, sending them fun items to bring a smile, hosting a veterans’ dinner, interviewing and sharing a veteran’s story with the Library or Congress, etc.
  • Emergency prep: Summer is a time to relax, but is also a time for many heat related disasters and emergencies. Be a hero in your community and get others prepared by providing hurricane victims with essential items, collecting smoke detector batteries, making and delivering first aid kits, raise awareness about summer emergencies, providing homeless shelters with evacuation plans, etc.

The world needs more action heroes, are you up to the challenge? We hope that your children will make the pledge to accept one of these eight hero challenges to better his or her community!

Check out generationOn, the youth volunteer enterprise of Point of Light, to learn more about the Community Action Hero Challenge.

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Five Summer Volunteer Ideas for Teens

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

There is nothing like summer vacation as a teenager! With summer comes endless possibilities. It can be a chance to laze around and catch up on all of that terrible TV you missed during the school year, or it can be a learning and growing experience in your own community. Leave the couch behind and spend time volunteering this summer. Volunteering can help you learn new skills, understand more about your professional interests, and give you something to put on your resume for college applications and future paid positions!

Read on for summer volunteer ideas for teens.

Nursing Homes Why turn to your television for a good story this summer, when you could hear real life experiences from seniors in your local retirement community? Being around young people helps old people recreate memories. Volunteer tasks at nursing homes could include: office work; setting up the dining room; pushing wheelchairs; playing checkers, cards, and puzzles; having a conversation; delivering mail; helping write letters; reading aloud; cooking projects, and art projects.

Camp Consider volunteering at a nearby summer camp. Even if you’re too young to be a paid full-time counselor, look into counselor-in-training programs at a camp you’ve attended. CITs are usually 16 or 17 years old, depending on the camp. Volunteering at a camp combines the experience of volunteering with the fun of summer camp!

Hospitals If you’re interested in medicine, volunteering at your local hospital might be just the thing for you. Just call a hospital in your area and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator. Volunteer tasks at hospitals keep it fresh, with tasks varying from stocking supplies, transporting patients with a nurse, making some pharmacy deliveries, bringing books to patients, sitting and talking to patients, and reading to patients.

Animal Shelters Why coo over pictures of cute animals online when you could play with them at your local animal shelter? Local animal shelters and vets are a great place to start looking for opportunities. Volunteer tasks may range from walking or playing with the animals, answering phones, escorting animals in and out, and cleaning the kennels. Look up veterinary offices and animal shelters and hospitals in your area and ask to speak to the office manager how you can help.

Libraries If you’re a big reader or just looking for a cool place to escape the summer sun, volunteering at your local library might be right for you. Library volunteers work in a variety of positions including the computer center, re-shelving books, and aiding with the children’s programs. Ask to speak to someone in volunteer services at your local library.

Are you volunteering somewhere during your summer vacation? Let us know in the comments below!

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