How to Organize your Group Volunteer Project ORGANIZING A GROUP VOLUNTEER PROJECT A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

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1 How to Organize your Group Volunteer Project ORGANIZING A GROUP VOLUNTEER PROJECT A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

2 . Determine a Point Person The point person will do the following: 1. Determine commitment level of company/group (i.e. how many people/hours) 2. Ensure management has approved project PRIOR to committing resources of any type (this includes volunteer labor) to an Agency. 3. Collect information on projects that suit the group. Make sure to share information on the following: a. Group Size Interest should be gauged from potential volunteers PRIOR to completing request form. b. Days and times that work for the group. c. Specific causes/interests for the group. d. Any limitations the group may have (i.e. allergies, no heavy lifting). 4. Complete request form and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and return to Volunteer Center 5. Stay in contact to alert Volunteer Center to decisions, changes, etc. 6. Make and keep contact with the Agency where group is volunteering.

3 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (return completed form to Volunteer Center with request form) By completing this packet, you are requesting that the United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center connect your company/organization to a meaningful group project in Summit County. As a part of this process, the Volunteer Center will take into consideration your request form and the information provided as guidance to find projects that fit your needs. In order to ensure the best fit, we ask that you take time and consideration in completing the form and answer the questions as completely as possible. MOU Know what interests you and your team. It is important to find this information before requesting a project. This will help the Volunteer Center match your group with the most suitable projects. Know your availability. Be specific about what time you and your group can devote to a project. Ask potential volunteers and management before completing the form. Be as specific possible. Know where you want to volunteer. If you have a specific interest or cause you are interested in, let the Volunteer Center know. If there is somewhere you would prefer to not volunteer, let us know that too. Know why you re volunteering. Know whether you are looking for a one time project, or perhaps a longer commitment or partnership. Express this information to the Volunteer Center. Know that it takes time to find a great match. The Volunteer Center will take all the information on your request form into consideration when looking for a project for your group. It will take time (see attached timeline for more specific timeframes) to find the best fit(s) for your company/organization. Be available and responsive. There will be times where the Volunteer Center will need more information from you or a decision on a project. (Reference attached timeline) By completing this packet, I understand that I am requesting the services of the Volunteer Center to help match my company/organization to a volunteer project in Summit County. I have read and understand the information provided and will make every attempt to provide as much information as possible to ensure the best experience for my group. Signature of Contact: Date:

4 Request Form (return completed form to Volunteer Center with MOU) Company/Organization: Main Address: City: ZIP: Age Ranges Size of Group- Min Max Is your group willing to be split? If yes, into how many groups? Preferred location/area(s): Contact Name: Phone:( ) Fax #:( ) Availability: (if you are looking for specific dates, please note here) Describe your availability: *Make sure to note days or dates and times as well as total # of hours Specific Interests: Type of project you are interested in: Types of projects group has completed in the past: Any type of project that you are NOT interested in:

5 Employee Volunteering Return on Investment How do volunteer programs contribute to your bottom line? Well, clearly there are a number of benefits to the company. These programs help to build brand awareness and affinity, while strengthening trust and loyalty among customers. They put a human face on the company, reinforcing the idea that the company is comprised of real people that just happen to be organized around a particular product or service. It s almost like a singer coming down off the stage and into the audience as he or she continues to sing. By doing this companies become more approachable while enhancing their corporate image and reputation. But it is really on the employee side where the benefits are most, well, meaningful. Employees that volunteer tend to experience greater job satisfaction, and improved morale. This, in turn, leads to a more positive attitude which constructively impacts job performance, teamwork and many of the other intangibles that make good companies better. As a result, the companies doing this see both improved employee retention and productivity. The ROI of Employee Volunteering, RP Siegel The Business Case for Workplace Volunteering What are companies after? Research from, for example, the Points of Light Foundation points to the following as key reasons why companies invest in workplace volunteerism: They want to do good for their community. It fits the company s traditions and values. It improves reputation and image. It is important to customers that the company demonstrates good citizenship. It helps recruit / retain employees. It helps build employee morale and job satisfaction. It helps build teams among diverse employees. It allows employees to develop new skills that are useful in their real job. Note that none of these are mission specific. In any community there are probably dozens (hundreds?) of nonprofit agencies where a company s workplace volunteer manager can direct their employees to gain these outcomes. Companies are from Mars; Nonprofits are from Venus, by David Warshaw