Making the Business Case

• Positive career impacts for volunteers. In a recent study of white collar workers, 63% of all respondents (74% of volunteers) reported that volunteering had had a positive effect on their careers (Deloitte / Points of Light Foundation, 2006)
• Skill development for employees. A survey of professional women found that 83% reported enhanced leadership skills, 78% reported improved communication skills, and 50% reported learning other useful workplace skills through their volunteer efforts (Markitects and WOMANS WAY, 2006)
• Improved corporate image. A 2005 GolinHarris survey that found that employees’ view of a company’s corporate citizenship affects employee morale, spirit, and pride; trust in their employer; and willingness to recommend their employer as a good place to work (GolinHarris, 2005).
• Higher retention rates. According to a 2006 survey of 1,800 "millenials" (13-25 year olds), 79% want to work for a company that cares about how it affects or contributes to society (Cone Inc., 2006)

Quick Wins

Although developing a comprehensive strategy takes some time, these Quick Wins can help you start a successful program. Join the Impact at Work call later this month to learn more about implementation.

• Find the synergies. Learn what causes and organizations motivate your colleagues to act. Try a brief survey or social event to start the conversation. Look at corporate strategy goals like improved brand image and departmental needs such as improving team work to identify congruence with volunteer opportunities that can strengthen your triple bottom line.   
• Research community needs and opportunities. Combine the ideas generated by your colleagues with opportunities to pursue business objectives and finds projects on sites like VolunteerMatch.com, Volunteer Solutions, Idealist.org, Network for Good, and the Points of Light & Hands On Network. 
• Identify your vision, goals, and scope. Define the why, what, when, who and where of the program to help map your desired outcomes and how to get there.  
• Develop a budget and action plan. Check out Timberland's easy to use template (PDF, 4.48 MB) to determine the costs of your program.
• Define key metrics. Decide what impact you want to have in the community and in your organization and how that will be measured (i.e. hours volunteered, money raised, employee satisfaction surveys etc.) Use Points of Light's online calculator to quantify the economic impact of volunteering.
• Share your experiences and learn more. Join the May Impact at Work call to participate in an expert-led discussion about employee volunteer programs and community engagement strategies.

Events

• Thursday, May 22 Impact at Work call led by Paulina Migalska, former Corporate Volunteer Manager at the Points of Light Foundation and Impact at Work participant. Join this call to connect with Net Impact professionals who are passionate about workplace change as Paulina helps to lead a discussion about volunteer program strategies and implementation best practices.
  May 22 1-2 PM Pacific / 4-5 PM Eastern
  Register for the call here.
• 2008 Green Challenge final submission form now available! There's still plenty of time to get involved with the 2008 Green Challenge. Learn more about the competition or download the final submission form. Contact Josh at jcleveland@netimpact.org for more info or project support.

Resources

• Net Impact's Impact at Work Resources - Links to an array of employer-supported volunteer program materials.
• Timberland's Service Toolkit (PDF, 4.48 MB) -  A great how-to document with A-Z help for successful implementation of volunteer projects.
• Points of Light & Hands on Network - A definitive resource for employee volunteer projects.  

About Impact at Work

Tired of business as usual? Want to bring your ideals to work? The Impact at Work program is designed to help our professional members connect to the resources and support necessary to increase the momentum of workplace change projects. For more information email Josh at jcleveland@netimpact.org or visit the Impact at Work website.