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Volunteering: It's big business!(ARA) - What makes one company stand out from another in the community? These days, it is often not how much money the company makes or how it stands up to the competition, but the impact the organization has on its neighbors. Corporate Social Responsibility, or “CSR,” is increasingly an important aspect of doing business, as more and more companies recognize the many advantages of being socially responsible. Allowing employees to take paid time off work to volunteer for local charities positively benefits the community, and research also shows that customers prefer to do business with companies that have a commitment to community. Most corporations also recognize that volunteer work has internal advantages, as well. It strengthens team building, increases team morale, and improves workforce recruitment and retention. Employees can also benefit from developing skills that may translate to the workplace, not to mention the satisfaction of making their community a better place. As a result, a number of businesses employ an administrator to coordinate a company’s community involvement efforts. For instance, AT&T Wireless has a proud tradition of volunteer service. Whether as individuals or as teams, the company’s desire to give back to the community is evident in the thousands of employees who regularly volunteer. Employee volunteerism is the centerpiece of “Community Connections,” a program that includes corporate contributions, employee volunteerism, and community initiatives. Community Connections works to build active employee involvement by encouraging employees to donate time to nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. "AT&T Wireless has a strong history of community involvement, and considers it to be both a responsibility and a privilege,” says Erna Thompson, manager of the company’s Employee Engagement Programs. Luckily for corporations like AT&T Wireless, a national nonprofit named VolunteerMatch offers a unique service specifically designed to meet the needs of leading corporations who recognize the economic and social value of corporate volunteerism. The service provides an innovative, effective and easy way for employees to find places to volunteer, while giving corporations a streamlined method for maintaining and promoting their commitment to community involvement. In fact, Thompson credits the success of AT&T’s volunteer efforts with the fact that VolunteerMatch helps makes it easier for her employees to participate. "Tens of thousands of community projects are literally at our fingertips after a simple 'search' on their website,” says Thompson. “We use the AT&T Wireless VolunteerMatch customized site to track volunteer hours, promote our 'dollars for doers' grants program and highlight special community projects -- and the monthly reports allow us to capture data and measure our successes.” Also in partnership with VolunteerMatch, Timberland, the well-known maker of premium-quality footwear. The company launched Timberlandserve.com, an interactive web resource created to help consumers connect with community service opportunities in their local area. The web site features a searchable database of nearly 30,000 nationwide volunteer opportunities, and allows consumers to search by location or by organization, enabling them to serve in the neighborhood or industry of their choice. Anyone interested in volunteering can simply enter their ZIP code on TimberlandServe.com to find a rewarding way to volunteer. It’s all part of Timberland’s commitment to creating positive change in the communities in which it does business. “We can’t do it alone,” says Timberland’s CEO, Jeff Swartz. “By partnering with VolunteerMatch, we stand to make a far more significant impact by inspiring and empowering other citizens, and other companies as well, to make a difference in their own communities. There is no telling how much positive change we can effect when we bring those with a genuine desire to serve to the source of the need.” VolunteerMatch’s efforts and partnerships are definitely having a positive effect. Since 1998, the service has generated nearly 1,700,000 volunteer referrals. And because any nonprofit or tax-exempt charity in the country can list volunteer opportunities within the VolunteerMatch network, anyone interested in making a difference is ensured access to the latest, most up-to-date volunteer opportunities. For anyone or any organization that wants to get involved, this unique service makes it easier than ever before. Just ask companies like Timberland and AT&T wireless. "We are proud to team with VolunteerMatch and to offer its services to our 30,000 employees so they may 'Get out and do good.' in the communities where they live and work," says Thompson. For more information on VolunteerMatch Corporate, call (415) 241-6883, or e-mail vmcinfo@volunteermatch.org. You can also visit the Web site at volunteermatch.org. Courtesy of ARA Content |