National Volunteer Week: Engage Employees and Make an Impact

 

by Shaylee Beck Moore
Director of Marketing, Cheeriodicals

 

It’s National Volunteer Week! What a great time to recognize the dedication of volunteers nationwide, commemorate their contributions, and motivate others to join in making a positive impact on our planet and  local communities. 

This week is also a great opportunity to take steps for your company to be a leader in social and community impact, as well as engage your employees in a fun and rewarding way. 

Involving your company in National Volunteer Week is beneficial for many reasons.  It can help build your reputation in your community, grow partnerships, and build employee morale. Oftentimes companies that participate in strong volunteerism efforts are also seen as leaders in their industries as well as create a sense of pride for their employees. 

Here is your guide to engaging your employees this National Volunteer Week and beyond!

 

What is National Volunteer Week?

National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize the power and impact of volunteerism in our local communities and across the nation!

This week also serves as an opportunity to increase awareness and shine a light on organizations and causes that inspire us to give back. 

National Volunteer Week started in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order that acknowledged the importance and invaluable contributions of volunteers across the United States.  Since then, this tradition has continued with each U.S. President issuing proclamations during the third week of April that continues to honor and celebrate the dedication of volunteers.

 

 

Benefits of Employee Volunteerism

Employee volunteerism is beneficial for both your team and corporation overall.  Companies that place an emphasis on community impact and support employee-led initiatives often see a boost in employee morale as well as development in skills such as communication, leadership, and project management. 

Creating a space for employee volunteering also is a great way to incorporate team building amongst co-workers.  Team building is known to have a positive and lasting impact on employees all while creating a sense of unity amongst co-workers and strengthening work relationships. 

Encouraging and supporting employee volunteerism also creates a positive brand reputation.  Companies that demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) are viewed more favorably by customers, employees, and the community overall. 

Combined, all of these factors can contribute to employee satisfaction, attract top talent for your workforce, and build a loyal customer base.

 

Employee Engagement Strategies

Here are a few ways you can engage your employees during National Volunteer Week:

1) Create a Day of Impact For Your Team

Set aside a day during this week that is focused on giving back to the community. 

Your company can choose one organization to support, or, provide a few different options for your employees to choose from.  You may also engage your employees with a poll to decide where to place your volunteer efforts for that year. 

* Bonus Tip:  Earth Day usually coincides with National Volunteer Week (April 22nd). This would be a great day to set aside for your company to make an annual impact.  Earth Day is focused around sustainability, recycling, raising awareness, and protecting the environment.

 

2) Give Employees Time Off Hours for Community Service

Providing your employees with paid time off for community service is a great way to encourage your team to participate in your company’s volunteerism efforts. Without the constraints of deciding if they need to choose between work or using valuable ‘paid time off’ for community service allows for them to make an intentional effort to set aside time to give back and make an impact.  They will greatly appreciate this gesture! 

 

3) Recognize and Reward Employees Who Participate in Volunteerism 

Recognizing and rewarding your employees for their volunteerism helps them feel appreciated for their efforts and hard work of doing good in the community.  Ways to recognize employees can include things such as appreciation awards, shout outs at staff meetings or on your company social media page, and even company branded swag, such as a volunteer week tshirt. 

You can add a competitive element to your volunteer week as well for highly sought after prizes, such as gift cards to a fine dining restaurant or a designated VIP parking spot at the office. 

And of course, a hand written thank you letter is always the cherry on top to your employee recognition and rewards. 

 

Sustainability and Long Term Engagement

Keep the momentum going! Once you have integrated volunteerism into your corporation, encourage and inspire employees to continue to make volunteering a priority. 

Organizations can sustain employee engagement beyond National Volunteer Week by: 

• Integrating volunteerism into the company culture
• Provide resources for volunteer initiatives and opportunities
• Foster ongoing partnerships with community organizations and charities
• Continue to support employee volunteer efforts through matching or donations

 

 

How Cheeriodicals Events Engage Your Employees For Good 

So now you’re ready to make an impact and plan an employee volunteer event! But where do you start?

Cheeriodicals events are a great solution for a fun and inspiring way to engage employees. Our events focus on building team camaraderie while making a positive impact in local communities by bringing cheer to those who need it the most. 

Our events benefit hospitalized children, Ronald McDonald House families, Veterans, students in under-resourced communities, and even pet adoptions at local animal shelters. 

See our full list of give back options by visiting our website: www.cheeriodicals.com

We can accomodate groups of 10 – 2,500+ participants and each event is planned by our team of professional and experienced event managers, giving you the confidence that your employee engagement event is good hands!  

Take time to plan employee volunteer opportunities during National Volunteer Week and beyond.  Your employees (and community) will thank you!

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