Volunteerism
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Barry introduced Brent Hamelin who brought Candace Smith, the St. Theresa's student of the month. She works with her Church and has done missionary work in the Dominican Republic. Most recently she put together, with the help of fellow students, 60 first aid kits which she took down in Feb. The idea has been picked up and other schools are taking on the challenge of putting together more. She works with special needs people, volunteers with seniors,and is the stage manager at the school. She spoke briefly, saying that it was nice to be recognized, though that was not the motivation behind her efforts.
Laurie Shutt introduced Arthur Zurlis, who is working at Community Link to help promote Employer Supported Volunteerism.
Arthur admitted that he was probably preaching to the choir with Rotary members, but he hoped that his audience would help spread the word.
Community Link, which most are familiar with, works in four major areas; information and referral access to clubs, charities and government; housing support to families in crisis; transportation linking communities with volunteer drivers; and volunteer co-ordinator activities trying to build the volunteer base. He said he believes volunteering builds strong communities.
Arthur said there are 77,000 charites and 100,000 non profit organizations in the country. 25% of the population volunteers 2 billion hours a year, but those numbers are dropping and fewer people are being asked to do more. 7% of the volunteers do 75% of the work and the question is how to reverse the first trend and how to help that 7%.
He is trying to promote the concept of employers supporting employess who are performing volunteer work. 67% of volunteers are employed and about half of those get support at work. There are studies in the US and the UK that show that there are benefits. The Community benefits through health and cultural enhancement and through business growth. Employees meet people, enhance their skills, develop self esteem and tolerance and grow in the company. Employers increase brand recognition, staff and customer loyalty, skilled employees who take less time off and increased revenues can be linked to this practice.
He asked employers to review what they are doing now and how much more they could do. Community Link can assist if anybody has questions.
Arthur admitted that he was probably preaching to the choir with Rotary members, but he hoped that his audience would help spread the word.
Community Link, which most are familiar with, works in four major areas; information and referral access to clubs, charities and government; housing support to families in crisis; transportation linking communities with volunteer drivers; and volunteer co-ordinator activities trying to build the volunteer base. He said he believes volunteering builds strong communities.
Arthur said there are 77,000 charites and 100,000 non profit organizations in the country. 25% of the population volunteers 2 billion hours a year, but those numbers are dropping and fewer people are being asked to do more. 7% of the volunteers do 75% of the work and the question is how to reverse the first trend and how to help that 7%.
He is trying to promote the concept of employers supporting employess who are performing volunteer work. 67% of volunteers are employed and about half of those get support at work. There are studies in the US and the UK that show that there are benefits. The Community benefits through health and cultural enhancement and through business growth. Employees meet people, enhance their skills, develop self esteem and tolerance and grow in the company. Employers increase brand recognition, staff and customer loyalty, skilled employees who take less time off and increased revenues can be linked to this practice.
He asked employers to review what they are doing now and how much more they could do. Community Link can assist if anybody has questions.