How to Encourage Employees to Volunteer: 6 Expert Strategies
However your company decides to measure success, it certainly starts with employee involvement. This ideal applies both in your corporate structure and day-to-day business, as well as in your employee volunteer program. After all, an important part of success is not just your profitability, but how you use your power as a corporation to contribute to the communities in which you do business. One of the tried-and-true questions that Points of Light’s
Corporate Services Solutions
team often gets is how to encourage employees to volunteer. Average participation rates have declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CECP’s annual
Giving in Numbers
report. The report, which covers 2021 data, tells us that the current participation rate is 17%, which is far lower than it was in 2019, at 29%. Pre-pandemic, some companies were even hitting 40% and above.
Here’s a few tips for how to encourage employees to volunteer.
1. Set and Communicate Goals
There’s no need to keep your
employee volunteer program
’s goals vague or hidden. In fact, internal communication about the goals you hope your program will reach is vital to employee participation. Even better, include your employees in setting goals – they’ll be more likely to hold themselves and their teammates accountable and push toward achieving those benchmarks.
2. Balance Company Priorities and Employee Passions
Your company’s strategic priorities don’t have to be at odds with your employees’ personal passions. Find how you can merge the two. Maybe this happens in the goal-setting or planning stages, when employees can speak up about
causes that are important to them
. Or, in the additional outlets you provide to employees like Volunteer Time Off (VTO), Matching Gifts and Dollars for Doers.
Share which causes are also important to the business and find common ground.
3. Make Participation Easier
One of the reasons employees often don’t participate in their employee volunteer program is that it’s not convenient for them to do so. If employees have to put in too much effort outside of their regular work, or they miss out on pay, participation will be harder to maintain and grow.
So,
make opportunities easy
for employees to participate in. Bring projects to the office or plant, allowing employees to participate during breaks. Send materials home to employees (if your budget allows). Keep in mind that some hourly employees may need
flexible opportunities
like those that occur onsite, or even on-the-clock if you don’t offer VTO.
4. Create Leadership Opportunities
Some of your employees might be looking to get even more engaged but feel a lack of upward mobility within your employee volunteer program. Carve out leadership roles for those who want “stretch” assignments or are very passionate about the cause or community partner. Let these employees amplify your message. The easiest invite is a personal ask.
Engaged employees
often feel honored to be selected for such roles and responsibilities.
5. Ensure Leadership Understands Benefits
Your employee volunteer program’s leadership team should have comprehensive knowledge of your entire CSR program’s benefits. This is especially important for middle managers, who are often the ones driving employees’ schedules and participation. Communicate frequently about the benefits (the “What’s in it for Me” or WIFM) to the company, the employees and your managers. Provide them with the tools they might need to encourage participation, like policies, speaking points, answers to frequently asked questions, etc.
6. Give Space for Feedback
Finally, and most importantly, talk to employees! Ask for feedback on your employee volunteer program by hosting focus groups, putting out a survey and doing sample interviews. Find out what your teams are interested in, what their obstacles are and what motivates them to participate.
Then report out on these findings and act on them. Make the necessary changes to your program to encourage more participation.
How to Use Your Volunteer Toolkit this Global Volunteer Month
April is right around the corner which means Global Volunteer Month is rapidly approaching. Points of Light wants to equip you with the tools you need to make it a success. Global Volunteer Month is an opportunity to recognize volunteers for the amazing work they do to support your organization as well as make the community aware of your needs and recruit more volunteers or connect individuals to causes they care about. Head over to our
Global Volunteer Month
page to
download your free volunteer toolkit
, tailored to four unique audiences.
Plus, read all about how to make the most of your toolkit right here.
Volunteer Toolkit for Companies
The Global Volunteer Month
toolkit for companies
is full of ideas to support your company’s employee volunteerism campaign tactics and plan your Global Volunteer Month activities. We show you how you can best
engage your employees
, share their stories and promote the month internally and externally. It also includes logos and graphics you can use in your communication materials.
Toolkit for Nonprofits
The
toolkit for nonprofits
also includes logos and graphics to share on social media, as well as a host of ideas as you map out your organization’s plan to participate in Global Volunteer Month. In addition to help with messaging and promoting engagement, we offer recognition ideas that you can carry with you throughout the month and all year long.
Toolkit for Individuals
You don’t have to be part of an organization to participate in Global Volunteer Month. Passionate individuals can shine their light by
volunteering in-person or virtually
or completing a DIY project. The
toolkit for individuals
has links to these DIY projects, as well as plenty of helpful visuals and hashtags you can use as you participate.
Toolkit for Government Officials
The
toolkit for government officials
includes many of the same elements as the toolkits for companies and nonprofits – a sample communications plan, graphics and logos, and ideas for promotion. It also features ideas for giving a floor speech to honor and recognize the constituents and organizations making a difference in your community.
No matter who you are and how you’re getting involved this year, start now to map out a plan for your Global Volunteer Month and make an impact in your own community and beyond.
The Urgency of Now
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
While the new year is a marker for a fresh start, it’s also a time to reflect on where we need to double down on the tough work that’s already underway. The “fierce urgency of now” that Dr. King talks about is precisely why, at Points of Light, we know that’s what we must do.
The world faces continued rapid change and challenges. According to the
Global State of Democracy
, a publication by International IDEA, half the world’s democracies are in retreat, and the number of democracies has stagnated. Even in solidly democratic countries, there’s been little innovation in systems or structure.
Just last week, the United States House of Representatives was unable to function, as politics took precedence and held up the selection of a majority leader and, therefore, all of the important work of that chamber. Abroad, we see threats against free speech and democracy, like the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor and the refusal to concede elections in Brazil and Fiji.
It’s no wonder that a growing distrust remains the trend. The
Edelman Trust Barometer
shows governments are one of the least trusted institutions, with only 42% of people saying they trust government leaders.
At Points of Light, we’ve been thinking about our role in democracy. Last fall, at a
gathering on the subject
, one of our guests, Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University, said, “Democracy is a game of infinite, repeat play.” Which means no one is ever “winning” democracy. It’s ongoing, living in all of us – the power of people.
Democracy is a system, and like any system, it can be improved upon to ensure we’re meeting everyone’s needs. The
Points of Light Civic Circle
® is a framework that can help change a system for the better. It’s an onramp to engage people who aren’t quite sure how to get involved, and a way to deepen engagement for those who are purposefully engaged.
Just like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led Black Americans and others advocating for equality to use their power in multiple ways – through their purchase power during the bus boycotts, using their voices in peaceful protest, registering voters despite being met with challenges, disputes and loopholes – we need to combine our actions to accelerate the change we want to see.
It’s a strategy that is sticky as evidenced in Points of Light’s
2022
Global Civic Engagement Research
that showed that on the issue of civil rights, racial discrimination and social justice, people are still using their power through multiple actions. Of those who said they took action in this issue area, 77% said they took the time to listen and learn about the issues, 68% used their voice to share information about the issues; and 66% volunteered.
This year, Points of Light is looking at how we can combine and maximize the Civic Circle actions and work with our stakeholders to create change. What would it look like to use the Civic Circle to create a more equitable society?
Derrick Feldmann, founder of the Millennial Impact Project and researcher at Cause & Social Influence, recently shared that people must feel secure about their basic needs – defined as health, transportation and employment – to then move beyond survival mode and care about a social issue outside themselves.
While these are deeply complex issues, we cannot have a strong democracy without a healthy, equitable society. Could we use the Civic Circle to address health equity, as a means of strengthening democracy? These are questions we’re exploring. There is an urgency to answer them, and the moment is now.
What is your urgent question and how is it connected to a strong, vibrant democracy? Are you leveraging your power by combining multiple actions to make progress toward an answer and a solution?
Because that is what democracy is about – the power of people working together to create the change we want to see.
Diane Quest is the interim president and CEO of Points of Light. She has served as an executive leader at the organization since 2016, and brings 20 years experience in nonprofit and social impact organizations leading strategy, external affairs, partnerships, events and crisis communications.
6 Tips for Working With Nonprofit Partners on Employee Activation
Companies know business, inside and out. But delving into employee activation can be tricky territory. Having a
CSR Partner
can take your success to the next level. One of the major factors of success for your company’s employee volunteer program is identifying and working with knowledgeable and experienced community partners. This includes those with
local, national or global reach
, the ability to scale as needed, and the ones that best know the community’s needs and are already working to solve society’s greatest challenges.
Here are some tips to ensure success when it comes to employee activation.
1. Prioritize Social Change Above All Else
It’s important to anchor volunteer programs in the needs of nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders. As important as company priorities are, start with knowing that you are doing this work to drive positive social change
first
. Do not decide for the nonprofit what their needs are. Instead, listen to them and decide how to best support those needs together. In this way, you can create shared value.
2. Work With Nonprofits That Have Ample Experience in Corporate Civic Engagement
Select a nonprofit partner that has experience working with organizations of your size and structure. This is also an opportune time for current employee volunteer leaders to step up, or for you to select one or more of your internal leaders to help with project planning, working with the partner and recruiting volunteers.
3. Pick a Partner and Build a Strong Relationship
As you vet nonprofit partners you might like to work with, look for organizations that you can have a transformational, rather than transactional, relationship with. While one-time or episodic volunteer projects have their time and place, focusing on long-term or recurring opportunities and deep engagement can result in feeling a sense of belonging and ownership of the shared work.
4. Communication is Key
As you work with your nonprofit partner, keep each other informed after you agree on the project specifics. Have regular check-ins (or ensure that your volunteer leaders are taking this step) so that you all know if the plan goes off course and can right the ship. This measure also prevents any surprises. Make sure you agree upon timing, tasks and policies to uphold, like taking photos or having any beneficiaries present to sign a waiver, enforcing safety precautions, determining who is purchasing supplies or what will be donated, scheduling supply arrival, and even simple things like keeping track of who will be there to open the door on the day of the project.
5. Evaluate and Reevaluate the Success of the Partnership
Don’t forget to stop and evaluate the partnership from time to time. Just like any relationship, you will want to know what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. With regular reviews of performance and overall success of the relationship, you can be clear on whether the relationship is working for both parties or whether it’s time to break up.
6. Invest in Your Program and Partnership Wisely
Keep in mind the time and effort it takes to plan a volunteer project. Think about your budget, not just for supplies and refreshments for volunteers, but also the work that goes into planning and leading a project if you’re leaning on the partner for that work. Think also about using budget dollars to invest in your partner’s readiness, especially as it relates to future skills-based or pro bono collaborations and measuring impact.
Need a nonprofit partner that knows its way around employee activation? Points of Light offers a suite of
Corporate Services Solutions
for strong community impact and a strong employee volunteer program.
4 Ways Corporate Volunteerism Will Change Your Business
As a business owner or team leader, you know how crucial it is to appreciate your employees, keep them engaged and offer them greater job satisfaction. You know that competitive pay, an extensive benefits package and the opportunity for upward mobility can help your employees feel valued. But how can corporate volunteerism help keep your employees engaged in their work, connected to the team and eager to remain with your company? Here are a few things Points of Light has found from working with our
corporate partners
.
1. Corporate Volunteerism Increases Job Satisfaction
Points of Light’s
research on civic engagement
shows that up to 40% applied for a job specifically because of the employer’s social responsibility stance. In particular, Gen Z employees overwhelmingly want to work for a company that takes a stand on social impact.
When you demonstrate to your workforce that the company cares about doing good just as much as the bottom line, you instill these values in your employees and attract new employees who also share them.
2. Corporate Volunteerism Increases Retention
According to a study from
Galaxy Digital
, “…employees are five times more engaged in companies with employee volunteer programs.” Your organization can benefit from employees being more hands-on, not just in their day-to-day, work-related tasks, but also in company-wide efforts to drive change in the world.
“Even during the trying times of a recession, volunteering is important. Nonprofits may have to lay off employees, limiting their capacity. This is where skills-based volunteers can be not only be important but vital to the nonprofit’s bottom line. Plus, being civically engaged has been proven to reduce stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings, which is helpful during a stressful time like a recession. Having an intentional CSR strategy will help the community and your employees.”
– Holly McCaleb, Senior Director, CSR Consulting
3. Corporate Volunteerism Bolsters Employees’ Skills
Building your team’s skillset is valuable to both you and your employees. When it comes to corporate volunteering, many skills can be honed through hands-on work with teams and communities. Your employees can practice the things they’re already adept at and can continue to expand their knowledge and expertise by trying new things.
Working within communities and engaging in volunteerism can also help increase your employees’ empathy and make for a more tolerant, inclusive and compassionate workplace.
4. Corporate Volunteerism Increases Organizational Success
With all of these things in mind, you can safely assume that employee satisfaction, retention and skill-building will absolutely lead to greater success of your business. When you have employees who are eager to be engaged with your company in and out of the workplace, who grow their expertise and practice leadership and teamwork, and who remain with the company longer term, you will see these reflections in your profitability.
If you’re just getting started with corporate volunteerism, check out the
resources we have available on our website
. If you’re ready to start to building or refining your corporate social responsibility program and need a trusted, knowledgeable partner to help, Points of Light can provide best-in-class tools, frameworks and customizable support through our suite of
Corporate Services Solutions.
9 Gifts That Keep on Giving This Holiday Season
The
Points of Light Civic Circle
®
offers nine different ways to get involved and build a more civically engaged life. From
donating
goods and money to
voting
in local and national elections to
volunteering
your time and talent, there are plenty of ways you can give gifts that don’t cost you anything but kindness and a little time.
This holiday season, we’re offering ideas for nine “gifts” that keep on giving in your community and around the globe, based on the elements of the Civic Circle. Pick one or two, and watch as your contributions start a ripple effect of change.
Donate:
Donate to a cause close to your heart. You can start by looking for organizations that are already doing good work in your community. Or choose an organization like
Points of Light
that makes a global impact with a mission centered on mobilizing social good by working with a
Global Network
of affiliates from around the world.
No one is too young to start learning about social justice. Inspire the pint-sized activists in your life by giving them this valuable resource to learn about social justice movements and define commonly used terms. The book features a variety of young advocates across movements – from Ruby Bridges to Malala Yousafzai.
Purchase Power: Small Business Gifts & Gift Cards
Supporting small businesses is a fantastic way to make a difference in your community while giving thoughtful gifts. Make a list of several small, local stores in your region and browse their shops to find items for your loved ones. Not sure what to purchase? You can still use your dollar to support small business owners and leave the choosing up to the recipient – purchase a gift card instead.
Service: Send Holidays Cards Military Service Members
Choosing to live a life of service comes with sacrifice, which can often mean being separated from family for long periods. You show your gratitude by sending personalized cards and letters to military heroes who serve in the U.S. and abroad. The Holiday Card Challenge and #cards2connect programs let them know that they are not alone during the winter holiday season and throughout the year.
When 4Ocean was founded, they started by making bracelets out of plastic collected from the ocean. Today, the organization has pulled 26,335,566 pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers and coastlines, offering bracelets of all varieties plus footwear, water bottles and other apparel. Make an impact by choosing sustainable fashion that is simultaneously solving a global issue.
For the passionate participant in every election – encourage voting with trendy tees, mugs, bags and more from Rock the Vote. This nonprofit organization has registered and turned out millions of young voters on campuses, in communities and online for 25 years. Their online store has a variety of gifts made for everyone from babies to seniors.
Voice: Raise Awareness and End Stereotypes
Use your voice to erase racism, hunger, homelessness or climate change. Be a part of ending harmful stereotypes and raising awareness for these causes by having authentic conversations with friends and family or posting on social media. For example, the United Nations makes it easy to leverage their
social media tools
to reach your social network and #FightRacism. Start your own conversation and be the change you want to see in the world.
Volunteer: A Volunteering Event or Day of Service
What better way to get the whole family or group of friends involved than to encourage volunteering through a day of service? Make a list of some local nonprofit organizations and call around to find out what their needs are, or check out
Points of Light Engage
to find local or virtual volunteer opportunities. From coat drives to toy drives to food drives, many nonprofits are in need of volunteers around the holiday season.
Work: Benefits for Your Employees
If you own a business or manage a team of employees, you have a unique opportunity to provide them with beneficial gifts this holiday season. While you’ll need to keep in mind what you can legally gift your employees, you might consider giving them a holiday bonus, throwing in an extra day off or starting an
employee engagement program
with volunteer time off in 2023. Look at your team’s needs and your business’ budget to determine the best course of action, then extend your gratitude to your hard-working team. They’ll appreciate the recognition.
Are you inspired to give gifts that keep on giving? Once you decide on a gift or two to give this holiday season,
tag us on social media
to share your experience with us. We can’t wait to see all the good you do this year.
Everything to Know About the Top Civic Engagement Conference
Every year, the
Points of Light Conference
brings together thousands of changemakers from across the world to convene, learn together, share ideas and explore the current landscape of
civic engagement,
and 2023 promises an excellent experience. This year, we’re thrilled to be hosting our leading civic engagement conference at the
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
, situated right in downtown Chicago, on June 14-16, 2023. As we gear up for this landmark event, here’s what you can expect – and how you can save your spot to attend.
What Will the Conference Include?
The Points of Light Conference 2023 is a leader among civic engagement conferences. It’s a global gathering for people, like you, who are passionate about civic engagement. It empowers
nonprofit
, government,
business and civic leaders
to make a bold impact in their communities, providing the resources and inspiration to do so.
When you attend the Points of Light Conference, you can expect more than 50 workshops with actionable takeaways led by industry experts, compelling leadership discussions highlighting best practices and connection with fellow changemakers ready to collaborate and amplify your efforts.
The Points of Light Conference 2023 Theme
Every Points of Light Conference features a different theme around which speakers base their topics and facilitators plan their workshops. The Points of Light Conference 2023 Theme is, “Leading Change Together.” Today,
companies
,
nonprofit organizations
and
everyday people
are all rallying toward real, sustainable change. Communities have distinct goals, and together, we can lean on our unique and collective backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to change the world.
Register for updates
to find out when we unveil this year’s powerhouse speakers, who are making big impacts in their communities, companies and beyond, as well as to roll out high-value workshops that will leave you feeling inspired, educated and equipped with new knowledge and ideas to implement in your spheres of influence.
Next Steps to Attend the Points of Light Conference 2023
We’re featuring an early bird special, so mark your calendar now. Early registration runs from March 1 through 31, 2023. These discounted tickets will be priced at $675 for corporate tickets and $575 for government or nonprofit tickets. Make sure you’re on our
email list
so you can reserve your spot as soon as registration opens.
General Registration tickets go on sale from April 1 through May 31, 2023. Corporate spots are $775, while government or nonprofit registration is $675. Need the full cost picture? We even have
hotel rates
available so you can have a full picture of associated expenses.
Call for Proposals Deadlines
If you’re interested in presenting on stage or via a workshop this year, you’ll want to save these in your calendar and be prepared to submit your proposal. From January 3-17, 2023, Points of Light will be accepting presenter proposals. We’re eager to see what stories, wisdom and insights you have to share from your experience with civic engagement in your community, company or nonprofit organization. Past speakers have included best-selling authors, nonprofit and governmental leaders, service members, and even news anchors and entertainers. Make sure to
sign up for updates
so you’ll be the first to know when we open our call for proposals.
Don’t wait! Whether you plan to attend this year’s conference or want to submit a proposal to be featured as a presenter, start preparing today. Speak to your management team about securing your spot, and stay tuned for details on our request for proposals.
Volunteer Management Best Practices: Tips for Your Nonprofit
Your
nonprofit organization
may see tens, hundreds or thousands of
volunteers
come through your doors. Depending on the number of paid staff members you have, managing volunteers can become tricky. After all, you’re juggling different schedules, personalities and needs, all while trying to increase volunteer turnout at your organized events. Points of Light is here to help. That’s why we’ve put together these volunteer management best practices to
equip your nonprofit
with tips and tools for managing volunteers efficiently and effectively.
Lead Volunteers Through Challenges
Whether you’re addressing volunteers one-on-one or in groups, as a leader you’ll need to know how to well…lead, whether you’re navigating different
personalities
or situations. In times of crisis or
disaster response
, this skill is particularly crucial because your volunteers are champions of your mission and want to know how to support your efforts.
Empower Your Volunteers
Empower those volunteers who have
leadership potential
. Many of these individuals may be looking for ways to spread their wings and use their skills. Recognizing the qualities of “
social intrapreneurs
” can help you identify which volunteers you’d like to spend a little more time mentoring and offering new opportunities to grow at your organization.
Leverage Social Networking
Rallying volunteers for your planned events and encouraging donors to use their
purchase power
for good takes a lot of effort. In these times, when
social media
reigns supreme, nonprofit marketing doesn’t have to rely on internal staff alone. Call on your supporters and volunteers to spread your message, like promoting your annual toy drive or
Family Volunteer Day
.
Look to Skills-based Volunteers
For clear, consistent marketing, you’ll need to take the time to
establish your mission,
find your voice
and hone all of your external communication into a cohesive and unified effort. If you don’t yet have a marketing liaison or team to strategize around your content, consider establishing positions for this effort alone. And if you don’t have the capacity or budget, consider engaging a
skills-based volunteer
to take on this responsibility.
Recognize Your Volunteers
Feeling appreciated is integral to volunteer engagement, so make a plan for how to
show your volunteers some love
. Nominate them for a
Daily Point of Light Award,
which honors volunteers who are driving real and sustained change in their communities, or become a certified organization that offers the
President’s Volunteer Service Award
to help recognize your most exceptional volunteers based on annual hours served.
Build Trust Among Volunteers, Communities and Donors
Finally, your organization’s efforts amount to little if you don’t receive buy-in from all parties involved. Whether you’re working with
families
who want to volunteer together,
communities
that rely on your organization’s people power or
donors
who help keep your lights on, you’ll need to build trust among your stakeholders.
Two key activities can help with this effort:
listening and learning
from your stakeholders and communicating openly with them. First, you’ll need to understand the interests, challenges and values of each group, then address them with authenticity and transparency. Ensure that you have ongoing dialogue with all parties involved in your organization. Seek to understand where they’re coming from, and consider how you can bridge any gaps in trust through communication about your efforts.
9 Inspiring Blogs for Each Element of Civic Engagement
In this series, we’ve offered a variety of resources – from
apps
to
documentaries
to
podcasts
– that allow you to dive deeper into each element of the
Points of Light Civic Circle
. Since different people have different learning styles, we’ve curated these various types of content to help support you in your civic engagement journey, from
volunteering
to
voting
to
donating
.
Now we’re offering nine inspiring blogs you can read over your morning coffee or tea to get educated and motivated to contribute to the greater good. Check out these blogs to stoke your passion for getting involved in your community and beyond.
So you want to support a cause that’s close to your heart but you don’t have the budget to spare. There are still many ways for you to give. This blog outlines eight accessible, productive and meaningful things you can do to give back to a nonprofit organization that is making a difference in your community without spending a dime.
This blog is made up of powerful and poignant posts on racial identity, diversity and inclusion. Delving into spheres of higher education, healthcare, entertainment, social work and more, articles provide opportunities for critical thinking and consideration of others’ lived experiences. Blogs are made up of quotes, personal accounts and reflections, news stories, and other artifacts and discuss everything from Critical Race Theory to intersectionality.
Earth911 is on a mission to see “more ideas, less waste.” This blog dives into DIY projects, eco tech, sustainable energy sources, recycling, tax credits and more. If you’re interested in learning more about how to make greener choices with your wallet, this is a good place to start gathering ideas. (Psst – they also have
a podcast
if you’d like to listen to these topics on the go!)
If you’re considering any type of national service – for instance, via an organization like AmeriCorps – it’s good to know what you can expect. Fortunately, with over 250,000 current members and volunteers plus over 1 million alumni, AmeriCorps has a wide array of stories to share. Their blog includes individual accounts from inside the world of national service to help you become more educated on what the experience of national service entails.
Mashable’s Social Good section includes a host of stories on how technology is driving social change. This blog features up-to-date news articles as well as stories of individuals and organizations using tech to change the world, one issue at a time. The next time you’re feeling less than hopeful about social media or the state of the tech world, give some of these posts a read to find out how social entrepreneurs are using digital innovation wisely to advocate for the causes they care about!
The Vote Smart blog equips readers with the research, tools and statistics they need to make more informed decisions during election season and beyond. Each week they publish a blog on “This Week in Research,” keeping you abreast of current events around voting and other key political issues. There are also blog posts on election fraud and security, voter eligibility, absentee voting and more – all from a factual, nonpartisan perspective.
Everyone’s voice matters, regardless of age, experience or socioeconomic status. Voices of Youth offers young people between the ages of 13 and 24 to contribute to their blog in the form of written word, photography or video. These submissions are remarkably unique and tell stories around today’s biggest issues with compelling creativity. With topics ranging from gender identity to disability to human rights, you can expose yourself to a refreshing youth perspective.
Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention one of our own blogs! Points of Light is proud of our Daily Point of Light Award program, which was founded by President George H.W. Bush in 1993. President Bush called these civically engaged individuals “points of light,” devoting very special attention to voluntary community service as a means of helping solve some of America’s most serious social problems. We’ve been awarding a Daily Point of Light every day for decades, and you can read some of their stories to get inspired!
Looking for the latest research on corporate social responsibility and the tools and technology driving employee engagement on today’s landscape? Look no further than the TriplePundit, which has been reporting on the intersection of people, planet and profit for over a decade. Believing that business can be a force for good, TriplePundit publishes a variety of blog posts on research data, consumer trends, leadership and transparency, activism and more – all related to CSR and sustainability professionals, as well as concerned citizens everywhere.
Once you give these inspiring blogs a read,
tag us on social media
to share your favorite and tell us how it impacted you to create the change you wish to see in the world!
This piece is part of a series that highlights the many ways you can activate the
Points of Light Civic Circle
using various tools.
Check out all the ways you can live your best civic life
.
Family Volunteering Insights for Small Organizations
We interviewed 1,000 participants of organizations with under $1 million in revenue
to understand how to encourage schools and
nonprofits
to engage families in
volunteer activities
. We wanted to know how to create programs that work for families, how to recruit families to participate and how to make it easy – and fun – for them to volunteer.
Here’s what we heard from project coordinators we surveyed about how to engage families and young people in volunteer efforts:
Include Youth Voices When Planning Family Volunteering Opportunities
Talk to young people about why volunteering matters. Let their excitement help make it a family priority. Let them describe what they’re doing, and explain how they’re having an impact.
Communicate Via Multiple Methods Well in Advance With Reminders
Send an email and a text. Remind volunteer families several weeks before, a week before, a day before and the day of. People are busy, and reminders help ensure they fulfill their intention and their commitment to volunteer. If you can, keep your events at the same time of year to make it easy for families to plan and stay engaged year after year.
Create a Family-friendly Environment
Ensure families know that children of all ages are welcome. Make plenty of age-appropriate activities available and create opportunities for little ones to help. Provide kid-friendly refreshments, too.
Reward Volunteers
Create incentives for your volunteers to want to come back, and share the impact they’re having. Offer student volunteers extra hours if they bring parents, or feature students with families who volunteer on social media.
Start Early, Plan and Be Organized
Make sure people feel as if their time is being used well. If they have a great experience, they’re more likely to return. Some organizations don’t have a lot of success doing several small family volunteer events throughout the year in cities where there are so many competing interests. However, doing an “end of the year” project, for example, where students get to show off their work and win prizes, combined with the group volunteering experience, often results in higher attendance and participation each year.
Family and youth volunteer projects are so impactful, and getting them right makes a huge difference for families and for the people and organizations who benefit from their service.
Download the full
Small Organization Family Volunteer Insights
.
