The document discusses employee volunteering programs, highlighting their importance in fostering a caring corporate culture and benefiting both companies and communities. Key success factors for these programs include management support, clear communication, and a structured approach to volunteer involvement. It also outlines what doesn't work, such as lack of employee choice, absence of communication plans, and insufficient recognition for volunteers.

1. Staff Volunteer Programmes What Works and what doesn’t

2. What is ‘Employee Volunteering’ “ the way in which employees are involved in the community by contributing their time and skills,with their company’s encouragement and support.”

3. The Rationale “ Sooner or later a company’s culture and habits will represent the society as a whole. If that society is to be caring, efficient and responsible, its corporations must model that behaviour. Volunteer activities promote these behaviours and play an important role in building a livable society.” Ref : www.bloomington.in.gov/documents

4. The Benefits To Your Company Enhanced Public Image Increased staff commitment and motivation Improved recruitment and staff retention Reduced training costs that also bring added CSR benefits Innovation Be “Employer of Choice” To Your Employees Re-energised and proud staff Enhanced skills (e.g. teamwork, leadership, decision-making and communication skills, organisational skills, caring, listening,negotiating, planning,budgeting? Higher personal morale and pride in the company Improved well-being, reduced sickness and absenteeism To Your Community Partners Ability to harness new skills and energy A fresh perspective Extra help to plan and carry out major tasks Enhanced public profile

5. What works Management support and involvement A Programme Plan Resourcing the programme Programme Policies and Procedures Managing and Motivating Volunteers Work with your NPO/NGO partners Monitoring and Evaluation Networking and relationships Corporate Governance Communication, Communication, Communication

6. Management Involvement and Support “ Many people want to contribute and give something back to society. The problem is they often don’t know who to support and how. Our experience is that when we provide the facilitation and enablement, our staff immediately embrace the opportunity,” says Paul Harris Ex CEO of FirstRand Limited

7. The Programme Plan Depending on management, size and culture of business : A dedicated resource? A resource and committee/decision making team who plan and manage all activities? An outside consultant? Business Unit champions to drive programme (size) Internal Communications/HR/CSI Business Unit? To align activities to company’s core business or CSI Strategy? To allow employees to support charities of their choice? Budget to run the programme Incentives/opportunities for staff (e.g. a matched funding programme, 1 Day of Community Service)? “ Time” – in corporate’s time or only in personal time

8. The right person for the job Attitude A PASSION for everything they do EXCELLENT communication skills Good people’s skills Flexibility very important Able to overcome challenges ENERGY and COURAGE A “DOER” Understanding and empathy Understanding the everchanging nature of business INNOVATIVE and CREATIVE An understanding of sustainable CSI

9. Programme Policies and Procedures Depending on management, size and culture of business: A Programme Mission and Vision Clear and simple guidelines Hosted on an Internet/Intranet site Internal Communication Channels (internal newsletters, emails,business broadcasts etc) Matched Funding Programme? How to claim, the claim forms,correct utilisation of funds Training Workshops Accreditation where possible How to join, how to participate, how to run a programme www.firstrandvolunteers.co.za Click on “Procedures”

10. Managing and Motivating Volunteers “ employee led and employer supported ” Depending on management, size and culture of the organisation : A Website A Calendar of Events Source good charities and drives for staff to support Consult and involve employees Exciting and innovative drives Fun and Simple to participate (give a little, and receive a lot) Competitions and Challenges Observe National Days A Matched Funding Programme/ One Day of Community Service Internal newsletters, at staff feedback meetings, intranet sites, business broadcasts etc. Enter External Awards Programmes An Annual Internal Awards Evening/Recognition Who to contact and how to participate – very NB

11. Working with your NPO/NGO Partners ‘ Do not make promises you cannot keep!’ ‘ Manage the expectations of the organisation’ ‘ Committed-a link between the problem and the solution’ ‘ Suggest that we work more on skilling the community and building capacity’ ‘ We still need more for our communities, we nee sustainable relationships with volunteers…’ ‘ Avoid once-off approaches’ ‘ Find out the gaps and try to fill the gaps Sustainable giving Work “with” us, not in isolation, keep us in the loop Know as much about us as possible You are Special People – Warriors!

12. Monitoring and Evaluation To ensure ongoing success and momentum you need to measure the effect of the initiative on : Your organisation Your employee volunteers The partner organisation Methods to use : Questionnaires Reports Telephone conversations Interviews Focus Groups Written records

13. Corporate Governance Annual audit of the programme systems Transparency Documented Programme Policies and Procedures Risk Management – Actions and Tools Monthly Management Accounts Reporting – Management Reports, Sustainability Reports Training of Volunteers Accreditation for Workshops

14. Networking and Relationships Strong relationship building - key to success Other corporate volunteer programme managers/CSI specialists Initiatives with other corporates Benchmarking your programme Media relationships Strong internal relationships – across all levels of management Create networking opportunities Strong relationships with all NPO/NGO partners

15. Current Trends in Employee Volunteering Support for Enterprise Development Giving of your “time” Sharing your knowledge and skills eMentoring – volunteer from your desk More support for income generation programmes Initiatives in support of the environment Alignment with CSI strategies Sustainable partnerships/collaboration – after all this is CSI

16. What doesn’t work Omitting any of these key success factors discussed No TOP management support and involvement Stringent Policies and Procedures/too much admin!! “ Forcing “ people to participate. ‘Volunteering’ means having the freedom to choose to be involved as well as having choice about the type of involvement. Staff involvement in volunteering should not happen as a result of a directive from the company No structured communication plan Lack of acknowledgement and recognition programmes

17. ! “ Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand, Volunteer me and I will excel” Alleged words uttered by Confucius Desiree Storey Manager : The FirstRand Volunteers Programme Tel : 011 282 1773 Cell : 082 881 2670 [email_address] www.firstrandvolunteers.co.za