In this presentation I speak about the trends driving more corporate volunteer programs, and the key successful factors of building a program in China.

1. Volunteering in China

2. About Me
Develop long term capacity within the various actors (NGO, MNC, academic, gov’t, and citizen)
to create stable/ sustainable solutions
•Provide a platform where civil sector professionals can share best practices
•Conduct research, study problems, assess program, & create partnerships
•Work with social entrepreneurs and NGO leaders to develop capacity
•On campus research, develop student leaders, clubs, mentorships, internships
Established in 2004, Hands On China’s mission is connecting people – both locals and foreigners
in Shanghai who want to become involved as volunteers in community activities with local
charities who need assistance.
• Coordinates volunteer opportunities for active professionals, according to their availability
and personal interests
• Support project partners with direct donations, fundraising planning and
execution, community project design/implementation
• Design and manage a variety of community relations programs for private sector partners in
Shanghai – CorpWorks!
Developed the project based class Sustainability and Responsible Leadership
•To institutionally support society by leveraging its students, faculty, alumni
•Improve student awareness of the social and environmental challenges in China
•Teams will conduct research, develop external partner, & present business plan

3. Volunteering Trends
Global
Globalized Programming:
China HQ BU BU
HQ
Era of centralized / disengaged programming:
• Partnerships chosen at global level
Internati China
Foundat
BU BU • Partnerships reflected global issues of interest
onal NGO ion
• Little local ownership
Programs that were chosen were at a global level
Program Program Program and, regardless of program effectiveness, isolated local offices
Partner Partner Partner
from programs.
Localized Programming
China
Global Era of decentralized/ engaged programming:
HQ
• Entrance of locally chosen program partners
• Alignment of issues at the regional level that tie to
global level
BU
Corning BU BU
• High local ownership / engagement
BU
Global firms (and their foundations) began developing
Local
Local Local Local capacity internally to locally source project partners as a
Partner
Organizat Partner Partner
ion means to create more stable programs that have greater buy
in locally

4. Availability of Partnerships

5. Recognized Value
Volunteerism culture is Participating in volunteering
one of the key reasons projects increases my work
why I join/stay with GE. satisfaction.

6. Path to Success
Answer the 5 Basic Questions
• Who, what, when , where, and how much
Build program structure and plan
• Build program framework, identify goals, and set clear expectations
Partners and Champions
• Identify external partners who will support program
• Identify internal champions who will own program
Awareness Engagement
Marketing and Trainings
• Internally market opportunities to employees
• Offer training / orientation to interested employees
Scale Capacity
Project Launch / Pilot
• If program is long term, or sizeable in scale, run a pilot program
involving volunteer leaders
Internal Communications
 Newsletters, website, and photo sharing of event success
 Feedback opportunity for particpants
Monitoring & Adjustment
 Internally : revisit goals of employees and measure against program progress
 Externally: Revisit partnersihp and assess true impact of program

7. “In the end, environmental, social and economic sustainability cannot be separated.
A sustainable planet must include a sustainable human civilization – resilient human
systems that respect the complicated relationships among poverty, human
rights, economic development, environmental health, and human success”
- Institute for the Future, 2008
Richard Brubaker
Founder and Managing Director, Collective Responsibility
Adjunct Professor, Sustainability and Responsible Leadership, CEIBS
Founder and Executive Volunteer, HandsOn China
richr@collectiveresponsibility.org
www.collectiveresponsibility.org