Volunteerism is a great way for any size business to give back and an employee volunteer program is a must for several reasons. The most important reason is it gives you and your employees a stake in the business's giving and it can improve employee morale. Even if you are a solo-entrepreneur, a volunteer program is an excellent way to build relationships in your community (even if your business is online).
An employee volunteer program doesn't have to be complex and time consuming. But, it should be leveraged against other assets for giving, which determines how you build this program. The employee volunteer program needs to also have the systems in place for it to be successful and effective. If you are thinking about establishing an employee volunteer program or if you are a solo entrepreneur and want to include time as a way to give back, here are 6 easy steps to create and employee volunteer program.
1. Align volunteer activities with the business giving mission. Volunteering should not necessarily be done on the fly or without consideration. This is key to its effectiveness and benefits for your business. Take the time to select volunteer activities that closely align with your giving mission. Choosing activities that align with your giving mission generate the greatest benefits for the business, employees and the community.
2. Develop a volunteer program structure and policies. Written and communicated policies about volunteering keep the program focused and easy to manage. It lays the groundwork for what the business will do, how you will do it, and when to recognize employees for their volunteer time. Structures and policies keeps the process fair for everyone involved.
3. Leverage volunteer activities against other assets the business has to give. You need to know how much time you can afford to give back. Time is weighed against in-kind donations, cash contributions (including matching gift programs), loaned expertise, and more. A good tip to know when the economy has taken a downturn, pump up your volunteer program over other ways you give back.
4. Communicate your volunteer efforts. Communicating your giving program generates enthusiasm within the business and goodwill within the community. The results and efforts of your volunteerism are linked to public relation and marketing efforts both internally and externally.
5. Reward engaged employees. Nothing speaks louder to employees than appreciation for what they do. Establishing a recognition program inspires others and is a great way to say 'thank you' for their contribution to the overall business giving program.
6. Measure and evaluate. You don't know how successful your volunteer program is unless you take the time to evaluate it. Yes, volunteering is all good, but you must evaluate the program as it's the only way true success can be determined. One area to measure is employee satisfaction with the program.
If you think you don't have the time to volunteer, know this for sure - you will never have enough time. Volunteering is a rich and rewarding way to give back. In the last chapter of my book, Donna Finocchiaro is a professional organizer and owner of Organized East of the River. She never thought she had enough time, but she makes the time. In her chapter, she describes the satisfaction and benefits of volunteering through her business.
Copyright © 2009. Maggie F. Keenan, Ed.D. All rights reserved.
