volunteering
For employees, volunteering allows them to develop leadership and communications skills while the different working environments challenge them and provides an opportunity for them to interact with employees from other departments and levels of the company. For others, it might simply be an introduction to volunteering and something they might like to pursue in their own time. (For more information about employee supported volunteering and how your business can get involved, contact Business in the Community or log on to www.bitc.ie.) VOLUNTEERING INFRASTRUCTURE There are two national volunteering bodies in Ireland, Volunteer Centres Ireland and Volunteering Ireland. Volunteer Centres Ireland is the national Volunteer Centre. They are a representative body, support agency and membership organisation for a growing number of local Volunteer Centres in Ireland. Volunteering Ireland is a peak body for all organisations involving volunteers in their work and a representative voice for volunteering in Ireland. There are currently 22 local Volunteer Centres in Ireland, and the centres offer a placement service and individuals interested in volunteering can register with the centres or apply directly for opportunities online. Equally organisations that have vacancies can source volunteers through their local centres. The centres share the only national online database of volunteering opportunities, which is administered by Volunteer Centres Ireland and hosted on www.volunteer.ie.
ENCOURAGING VOLUNTEERING Contrary to common perception today’s challenge is not finding volunteers, it’s about creating suitable, interesting and engaging roles for them. Whether they involve one or 1000 volunteers, volunteer involving organisations need to ensure they manage volunteers effectively - from how an individual volunteer fits in and works alongside paid staff (if there are any) to creating and maintaining extended volunteer programmes. Central to any successful volunteering programme, big or small, is effective volunteer management. As well as providing their day-to-day placement service, Volunteer Centre staff are accredited through Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI) - to deliver the VCI National Volunteer Management Training Programme.
"For employees, volunteering allows them to develop leadership and communications skills while the different working environments challenge them and provides an opportunity for them to interact with employees from other departments and levels of the company."
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
To find out more about volunteering or employee supported volunteering in Ireland contact: Business in the Community www.bitc.com Volunteer Centres Ireland www.volunteer.ie Volunteering Ireland www volunteeringireland.ie
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTORY 2011
CSR 83