Acknowledging all the volunteering that takes place
Don’t forget – many employees will already volunteer in their local communities, according to the 2005 Citizenship Survey half of people in England had undertaken formal or informal volunteering, and there will be a whole range of organisations and causes that they already support. It can be key to ensure that you recognise what is already taking place, and either build your own programme around this (employee consultation) or provide support or recognition for those already involved as you develop a more business led and strategic approach.
Volunteering can be an intensely personal and private activity. Not all employees will want to share information about their volunteering with their employer, and may prefer to stay with their own volunteering rather than join a company sponsored programme.
It may be useful to decide whether your organisation wishes to recognise individual’s private volunteering e.g. in any financial awards or time off policies you may have.
Case study - J Sainsbury plc
Sainsbury's Local Heroes
The Local Heroes scheme recognises and rewards the individual volunteering and fundraising efforts of Sainsbury's colleagues. The scheme is now in its sixth year and has donated £500,000 to charities and good causes supported by Sainsbury's colleagues in their own time.
To participate in Local Heroes, Sainsbury's colleagues submit an application form describing the volunteering or fundraising activity undertaken and those who benefit from it. Team fundraising is matched up to £500, individual fundraising up to £200 and volunteers receive £200 for their chosen organisation.
The scheme is open from April until February each year and culminates in a celebration event for all applicants at Holborn Business Centre. Chief Executive Justin King presents prizes of £500 to colleagues judged to have excelled in their endeavours, and the ‘Challenge Cup’ to the team that has done most through the scheme in support of good causes.
Awards were presented in November 2005 for endurance, innovation in fundraising and the most funds raised by an individual or team.
