The Power of Employee Engagement Volunteering

Apr 30

Elkhorn Strong

Community has been on the top of my mind the last couple of days. On April 26, a major tornado ripped through my hometown. Homes were destroyed and possessions were lost, but yet the community has come together in a major way to help those who were impacted.

My heart goes out to all those who were impacted, yet at the same time this got me thinking about employee engagement. When asked about what employees are looking for in employers, the same three themes come up time and again. Flexibility. Fun. Family. Community service and volunteering fits within all three of these. Beyond traditional team-building activities, volunteering not only fosters a sense of community and purpose, but also provides a common experience and allows employers to make an impact on society.

Volunteering can serve as a catalyst for building strong, cohesive teams. Working together towards a common cause outside of the office environment helps employees develop deeper connections with their team members. Shared experiences and challenges can help them learn to communicate effectively, collaborate seamlessly, and leverage each other’s strengths.

If you don’t offer volunteering opportunities today, this is a great opportunity to consider and come together as an organization. Here are several effective strategies for offering community engagement:

Partner with nonprofit organizations.
Establish corporate volunteer programs.
Offer paid volunteer time off.
Align volunteer opportunities with employee interests.
Incorporate volunteerism into team-building activities.
Provide skill-based volunteer opportunities.

Not all workplaces are designed to have employees away from the workplace based on demand and working conditions. Another effective strategy is to host a collection drive for items in need. Take the current situation for example, you could collect phone chargers, personal hygiene items, clothes, gift cards, pet items, batteries and canned food items. Local organizations are collecting these items, compiling in tubs and distributing for those in need.

As we continue to survey the damage, opportunities to help out continue to emerge. Over the next weeks, there is no doubt these families will continue to need support and help, and I encourage employers to ban together to provide help as they are able.

Learn More!

If you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, consider partnering with Talent Matters. We specialize in helping small businesses develop and implement effective HR strategies that support growth and success. Grab a 15-minute, no-pressue time slot on my calendar to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your business goals.