Lend a Hand When Needed
There is no doubt that the coordinated efforts make a difference. The contribution and value in numbers send a clear message about the importance of giving back. Volunteer days for company groups do not have to be limited to participation in nationwide initiatives. Community action days often pull together volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. New York Cares Day has been described as the largest day of service in New York City putting people in more than 100 public schools to paint murals, refresh classrooms, update libraries and brighten playgrounds. The event pools high school students, individuals, clubs and companies together in shared effort. I have been part of a corporate team for one of these days, the energy and outcomes are pretty amazing.?
Community members affected by weather emergencies and local disasters are frequently beneficiaries of this concerted activity. There's no reason to wait for the worst or seek out a city wide program to get employees involved. Many organizations commit manpower to volunteer days spreading out to a variety of projects or working in a larger team on a designated day. I am a board member of Furniture Sharehouse, a local non-profit that helps furnish need families. We welcomed a team of employees from a Pepsi bottling facility who cleaned, organized and painted one of the areas in the warehouse we rent.
Volunteer Days as an Employee Benefit
Paid time off to volunteer can be an attractive benefit, particularly to Millenials who are passionate about a cause. With a few guidelines a day off that meets the non-profit needs and employee schedule can send a message of support. In The Employee Benefits Answer Book I described an employer who even labeled the time as VTO (Volunteer Time Off).
Guidelines should not make the prospect daunting but should ask that employee's devote the time to specific work with a recognized non-profit. A faith based organization or initiative could fit in but it could get really tricky if employees are using sanctioned volunteer time off to work on a political campaign. One way to avoid this is to designate the time for work that meshes with the company mission and profile in the community. A policy could, for example, allow the time off engaging in activities that provide direct services to youth, needy families or the environment. This will help keep political debates out of the equation. Employees can use other time off for these more partisan activities.
The Hand Does Not Have to be Big
The level of involvement can start on a smaller scale for one time events held during the weekend.? Walkathon's and fairs always look for volunteers. They usually seek sponsors too. Financial and in kind donations are usually the best way to ensure that the company name and logo is on the t-shirt. A food drive for a local food pantry does not take a great deal to organize.? Follow up a successful collection with a trip to the warehouse or distribution point to help pack or sort donated items.
Whatever you choose don't forget your camera. Pictures of smiling employees helping others never seem to get stale or not worth having.
