Corporate Volunteering Models Under the Microscope
30 January 2006 at 12:01 pm
Just what ingredients make for good corporate volunteering programs are under the Australian microscope.
Volunteering Australia, in partnership with Australia Cares, and with the support of Esanda Finance, commissioned Orima Research to undertake a survey of Australian companies operating volunteering programs for their employees.
The idea for a survey investigating the different models of corporate volunteering evolved out of a forum of corporate volunteering practitioners, convened by Volunteering Australia, who meet regularly to discuss their programs.
The survey was completed late last year and the results are about to be published.
Volunteer Australia’s Employee Volunteering development Manager, Lisa Cavallaro says that while it is hoped that the survey findings will provide a resource to companies, it is not the intention to prescribe a ‘one-size fits all’ model of corporate volunteering.
She says the different types of models adopted by companies can reflect the specific objectives of a company’s program.
However she says it is possible to identify some underlying principles that lay the foundation of sound corporate volunteering programs.
Some of those principals include; ensuring that staff are given choice and consistent encouragement to participate in the program; there is genuine internal support both formally (through adequate investment and the development of policies) and informally (through other staff acting as ‘motivators’ or ‘champions’); safety conditions and risk management issues are taken into consideration; and a genuine commitment is made to developing meaningful relationships with the Not for Profit organisations.
Volunteering Australia expects to publish the full results in March 2006.
