The benefits for company
volunteer involvement includes a bolstering of team spirit among participating
employees, increased company morale, exposure in the community and
a greater understanding of how commitment of time and money makes
a difference.
- Day of Caring will strengthen
community relationships and corporate visibility.
Studies show that citizens in many communities are looking increasingly
to companies to "give something back" to their local
communities. Volunteerism is one highly visible means of doing
so. In a 1998 survey by Hill and Knowlton and Yankelovich Partners,
37 percent of Americans said "volunteering employees to help"
was the "most impressive" company philanthropic activity;
only 12 percent rated "giving a large some of money"
as the most desirable act.
"Our volunteer programs
help make us visible in the community, which improves our overall
image to clients or potential clients."2
- Participating in a service day
will enhance team spirit and employee morale.
Encouraging teams of employees within the same department to participate
in off-site volunteer projects together can create internal cohesion
and a shared sense of working to benefit others.1
In addition, the Day of Caring is an opportunity to work cross-departmentally
or with other companies.
"I have been able
to bond and make some really close friends with the people I work
with. We share the same values, and that makes working together that
much nicer."2
- Company participation in volunteer
activities helps to recruit and retain employees.
Studies have shown that company participation in service days
or more formal volunteer programs are more likely to have lower
turnover rates because employees see community service as an attractive
company benefit.
"Offering this time
off helps us attract the type of community-minded employees that we
want working here.And those people tend to remain with us once they
join."2
- Participation in the Day of Caring
facilitates a greater understanding of how commitment of time
and money makes a difference in our community.
1
Business for Social Responsibility, www.bsr.org/resourcecenter
2
Koss-Feder, Laura. Time Magazine. "The Good Works
Perk." May 11, 2001.
