Transform Your Workplace
BONUS EPISODE - Emily Etherington on Volunteering
Fri Jul 14 2023Description
The episode discusses the importance of volunteer programs, their mental health benefits, and how they can increase employee engagement. It also provides insights on building successful volunteer programs, accommodating different abilities, and the benefits of implementing such programs.
Insights
Volunteer programs are important for nonprofits
Nonprofits have limited resources and volunteer programs help lighten the workload.
Volunteering has mental health benefits
Volunteering can combat anxiety, burnout, depression, and loneliness.
Employee engagement increases with community involvement
Organizations that support volunteer programs see increased employee engagement.
Building a successful volunteer program requires commitment and leadership
Successful programs need commitment, leadership, early adopters, and incentives like volunteer time off (VTO).
Showing up is the hardest part of volunteering
Once individuals overcome the initial hurdle of showing up, volunteering becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Consider accessibility for remote employees or those with limited mobility
Volunteer opportunities should be accessible to all employees, including remote workers or those with limited mobility.
Get creative with volunteer tasks to accommodate different abilities
Offering a variety of tasks, such as administrative work, ensures that individuals with different abilities can contribute.
Align individual strengths and interests with community efforts
Successful program implementation involves matching individuals' strengths and interests with relevant community projects.
Implementing a volunteer program can benefit brand awareness and community relationships
Volunteer programs can enhance brand awareness, improve community relationships, and boost reputation.
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn for tips on building a volunteer program
Emily offers additional tips and tricks on building successful volunteer programs on her LinkedIn profile.
Chapters
Emily's Volunteer Program at Zenium
00:22 - 08:02
- Emily won the Zenium Volunteer Award in 2022 for her work on the volunteer program at Zenium.
- Volunteer programs are important because nonprofits have limited resources and many hands make light work.
- Volunteering has mental health benefits and combats anxiety, burnout, depression, and loneliness.
- Employee engagement increases when organizations recognize social responsibilities and support community involvement.
- Building a successful volunteer program requires commitment, leadership, early adopters, and incentives like volunteer time off (VTO).
- VTO allows employees to take time off specifically for volunteering without using their regular PTO hours.
- Programs should offer varied opportunities that align with individuals' interests.
- Pitfalls to avoid include lack of commitment, leadership, promotion, and varied opportunities.
Increasing Employee Engagement in Volunteer Programs
07:45 - 15:29
- Leading by example and offering incentives can increase employee engagement in volunteer programs.
- Volunteering can provide immediate relief from the pressures of life and build resilience over time.
- Engaging with people from different backgrounds and contributing to new experiences is rewarding.
- Showing up is the hardest part of volunteering, but it gets easier and more fun from there.
- Consider the accessibility of volunteer opportunities for remote employees or those with limited mobility.
- Use systems that facilitate self-directed opportunities or provide options within local communities.
- Get creative with volunteer tasks, such as administrative work, to accommodate different abilities.
- Align individual strengths and interests with community efforts for a successful program implementation.
- Implementing a volunteer program can benefit brand awareness, community relationships, and reputation.
- Connect with Emily on LinkedIn for tips and tricks on building a volunteer program.