Volunteering: A Comprehensive Study and a Unique Opportunity

By Lee Bruder
(603) 525-8033, lee@leebruderassociates.com

The Research Study

In 2009, the City of London (England) Corporation commissioned Corporate Citizenship to undertake a research project studying the impact of volunteering on employees’ skills and competencies. This article contains direct quotes from the comprehensive study which was published in May 2010.

“The positive effects of employee volunteering the community sector have long been recognized but there is less understanding of the benefits that volunteering can bring to a business and exactly how this happens. Generally it is reputation, staff retention, motivation and recruitment that are cited as the key benefits. Less commonly mentioned is the effect that volunteering can have on developing staff.”

In the report the Lord Mayor of the City of London states: “For itself, the City of London will use this research to increase linkages between volunteering and learning and development, ensuring that staff take advantage of the full range of benefits that community involvement offers.”

“But I hope that this research will also find a wider use as a practical tool. Not only does it give organizations the evidence that they need to integrate volunteering into staff development programs, but it also provides the tools with which to measure skills growth.”

The study followed 546 employees at 16 businesses in London. They placed employees in five different settings within the field of education. This article focuses on the impact on employees and their employers for those who were placed in the area of School Governance. Of the five areas, School Governance is most closely related to serving on a board of directors.

“Taking on the role of the school governor is in some respects the most challenging volunteering activity considered in this research study. Those in this role are expected to make important collective decisions about the running of the school. As members of the school’s governing body, governors are expected to provide strategic management advice, offer challenge and support to the school’s management team and ensure accountability of decisions.”

“Respondents (employees) particularly highlight their development in the following areas.”

· Team working skills (71% of school governor volunteers reported skills gained in this area compared with 43% of the total sample.)

· Influencing and negotiation skills space (67% versus 45%)

· Problem-solving skills (55% versus 39%)

· Decision-making skills in exercising judgment (53% versus 39%)

· Developing financial skills such as planning budgets (39% versus 10%)

· Business awareness (33% versus 16%)

· Developing technical and professional skills (33% versus 19%)

“In addition to the development of skills and competencies, volunteering also has the potential to improve the personal development of the individual. For the vast majority of respondents to the survey, it is clear that the overall experience was positive...” “These positive responses present a strong argument for businesses to support their employees in volunteering activities. As a result of their experience, the vast majority of respondents report:

· More pride in my company’s business (74% of respondents agreed or strongly agree)

· Increased motivation (73%)

· Higher job satisfaction (69%)

· Greater commitment to the company (66%)

“Not only do volunteers suggest their experience was positive, the vast majority are more likely to:

• Undertake more volunteering in the future
• Recommend volunteering to a colleague
• Talk positively about their company as a result of their volunteering

“Line managers recognize that their direct reports are developing their skills in five key areas as a direct result of the volunteering experience. These areas are:

• Adaptability (57% of line managers asserted that their direct reports had undergone some or significant skills development in this area)
• Team working (52%)
• Willingness to continually improve (47%)
• Ability to build relationships and networks (37%)
• Communication skills (31%)

A Unique Opportunity: The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship

The Hoffman Haas fellowship, an initiative of the New Hampshire Center for nonprofits, is designed to engage, prepare and inspire participants to meet the demand for 21st century board leaders. Named after two New Hampshire philanthropists, Tom Haas and John Hoffman, the program will immerse Fellows in an interactive six-month experience which will advance the understanding of the strategic leadership needed for today’s nonprofit boards, connect them to inspiring mentors and link them to potential board seats.

The program design offers a combination of cutting-edge course content presented by both nationally respected presenters and local thought leaders along with opportunities for online learning, debate and exposure to how board service also builds leadership expertise. Fellows will gain the skills, experience and connections which will enable them to be an asset to any nonprofit board they serve on in the future.

Program design includes an opening session and a series of three dinner sessions designed to minimize impact on participants’ busy schedules. You will explore the critical roles of the board and Fellows will dialogue with nationally respected speakers.

All Fellows will be matched with experienced Mentors who can provide context from their own experiences and give one-on-one guidance on questions and issues beyond the structured learning. At the conclusion of the program, each Fellow will be connected with nonprofits in need of board or committee members.

If you are new to board service or are considering joining a board at any point in the future, I strongly encourage you to consider this excellent opportunity. The program is scheduled to begin late September and run through January.

For more information about the program and fees or for a copy of the report:

· visit www.nhnonprofits.org/hoffmanhaas, or

· contact Lee Bruder via email at lee@leebruderassociates.com or via phone at (603) 525-8033.