When we hear about corporate volunteering, we probably think of an event where some workers get together to paint a wall, fix up the square or celebrate Christmas. It is often coordinated by a group of motivated workers with support from the human resources area. They are looking for something that is easy for the participating team, which is not necessarily what the community really needs, nor is it aligned with the company's strategy. These are very positive actions and we want them to continue happening, they are big steps.
But when volunteering in a company is planned together with the community to be impacted, where both raise the needs based on the local reality and the budget available to the company, when that plan is supported by management and motivated by its leaders, when the action to be implemented converses with the business strategy… that is when the magic happens. That is when, through small efforts, a sustainable program can be built over time that adds value to both the territory to be impacted and the company.
Real connection with the Community through volunteering
We can achieve a horizontal link with the social environment through the workers themselves, by involving them in decision-making processes, improvements and in achieving results. Corporate volunteering puts the face of worker John or worker Mary on the company, which is very important, especially for vulnerable communities that need to know that they have a real neighbor, not a large institution of strangers.
We have very good examples in Simon of Cyrene where entrepreneurs are mentored by volunteer workers from companies, or where workers and social organizations apply together for a competitive fund provided by the same company.