Post by Kim Tucker (April 13, 2009)

Photo credit to: GoodMatch Network

Have you ever volunteered for a nonprofit organization? Was your experience rewarding and life-affirming, or did you leave swearing you’d never waste your time like that again?

Such is the push-pull of volunteerism. For many, we’re not sure how to best support a cause we believe in other than to send money. For nonprofit organizations, volunteers are a mixed blessing: we need the help but don’t have the staff resources to attract, train and manage volunteers. Sometimes, nonprofits just give up on the volunteer thing – easier to grumble about the work than invest the time to develop a great volunteer program.

In our current economic downturn, 1 in 2 nonprofits says funding is down, according to “The Quiet Crisis,” a new report by Civic Enterprises. And volunteerism is up. People are unemployed and volunteering; others are engaged in the stories of need so are showing up. President Obama has called for “a new era of service” in our country, citing his own story as evidence of the power of volunteer work as a means to one’s personal and professional success. (Who doesn’t remember the election rhetoric about the definition and significance of a community organizer?)

This trend tells us that nonprofits need to be able to engage volunteers; and to do it well, nonprofits need to be strategic. It’s not enough to put out an open call to come help us plant some trees or transform a playground. We need to consider volunteers for the full value they bring: professional talents, personal skills, a strong back, and a connection to other resources, including cash. The goal should be a long term relationship, from volunteer to donor, from helper to ambassador.

Attention Nonprofits: To serve your mission and to help create sustainability in your organization, commit the resources – the staff time and brain power, along with your board’s – to develop a volunteer program. And step out of your tendency to view volunteers as transitory and in the way. Independent Sector, a think tank for charities, estimates the cash value of a volunteer is $19.51 per hour. Think of them as though you were paying that much, and make the experience meaningful for them and for your organization. How unfortunate for the volunteer and you when, after a few hours of really boring tasks, the volunteer leaves – never to return – never knowing the impact of their work; and you not knowing what skill sets and connections you just let walk out the door.

We’ll blog some more about volunteers, with these goals:

1. To encourage individuals to give time to causes that matter to them; and

2. To provide nonprofits the tools to develop meaningful volunteer programs

Until our next discussion of volunteerism, here are some things 3Fold staff are doing in the near term about volunteerism in our region:

- We’ve formed a 3Fold team for the Komen Race for the Cure. Consider joining us May 9. Our team page can be accessed here.

- On May 11, Wonder, Inc. is hosting a friend-raising event at B Street Theatre. Come and learn about mentoring a kid in foster care – guaranteed to change your life, too.

- The NorCal AIDS Ride is coming up May 14-17, and we have team members involved. Check it out at www.norcalaidschallenge.net.

Also, it's National Volunteer Week from April 19-25. Mayor Kevin Johnson has a plan for engaging more than a half-million hours of volunteer time in Sacramento this year. Watch for news on how you can participate. Got a comment or question about volunteering? Send it our way, and we’ll do our best to address your thoughts in upcoming blog posts.

3Fold’s Quick Tips for Making Volunteering

Work for Busy People:

We totally get your excuses! Between carpools, whiny kids, barking dogs, a messy house, kid’s soccer games, the bajillionth board meeting this month, the project that keeps you at work till midnight, a bible study, your hatha yoga class, your husband’s mom in town (again) and over flowing trash cans—volunteering can seem like merely an afterthought.

Here are a few things we’ve discovered as a company that make do-gooding a little easier:

Tips for employees:

Pick a cause or issue that’s important to you, or which enhances your job skills

You might be thinking, “well, duh” but really...too many people join causes because they feel guilty or get roped in by someone at the church bazaar. Think about your decision! What types of people do you like working with? Kids or the elderly? Pets or homeless outreach?

Find a balance for your time needs- don’t over commit.

We’re not suggesting you become Ghandi. It’s better to start out slowly that commit to more than you can handle. Start with a Saturday project at the soup kitchen. If you enjoy your time there, ask to volunteer one day per week, for one hour at a time. Just an hour goes a long way!

Use your gifts

Incorporate the best aspects of your personality when volunteering. If you work inside during the week but love the outdoors, consider giving your time at a community garden. Or, if you love animals but your husband’s allergic—call the Sacramento Humane Society to walk pooches. You get the idea.

Tips for businesses:

Be aware of your employee’s involvement in volunteering and support their efforts with flexible schedules whenever possible.

Because it’s important to us that our employees are active in the community, we support their efforts to volunteer. When Lesley has to get to her tutoring appointment, or Brad has a baseball game—we all do our best to step in so they can get out of the office on time. Encourage your employees to volunteer by asking what days they have a project or meeting—and check-in with them on their progress.

Recognize employee volunteer efforts through award programs and internal publications, such as company newsletters.

Well, that’s what we’re doing right here. Shout-outs to the 3Fold Team for being so fabulous! Now, follow our lead and give your employees a little shout-out too.Look for ways to give back to the community has a team.From hosting backpack drives (easy!) to taking an afternoon to clean up the American River—there are plenty of ways to give back. Consider planning a “Give Back” event on a Friday afternoon, and then let your employees leave a little early for their efforts. You can even make matching t-shirts or hats to wear so that everyone in the community can see your brand. (Hey—we’re a marketing firm—of course we’re going to suggest you draw a little attention to yourself in the process).