The question that is itching to be scratched is ‘why’? Why did one out of three volunteers walk out on their volunteer experience? You cite the research that suggests it was a lack of good management, and not providing meaningful work. True. But our high level perspectives tend to overlook the subtleties that are actually at work. For example, while it is true that volunteers involved on Boards, strategy meetings, and other opportunities that demand higher levels of commitment and utilize professional skills (even after school tutoring programs) have a (75%) return rate, they make for poor entry level opportunities to volunteering. On the other hand, general labour opportunities only offer a 55% chance of the volunteer returning the following year.
And this is where those subtleties come into play. NPOs have to offer easy entry experiences for people, and then be prepared to meet those interested in going further at their Highest Level of Contribution. We need to stop treating everyone the same. Offer low thresholds to the newcomers (to volunteering or your field of service) and ask for deepening levels of commitment from those who want to make those kinds of commitments.
Again, a good overview and dead on conclusions. Thanks for raising the discussion.
Thank you for bringing up this important topic, Todd. Your readers may want to check out an organization called Common Impact that does just what you suggest – i.e., they help companies deploy their human capital more strategically in the social sector. They are currently working with 20+ global companies such as Cisco, State Street, Fidelity Investments, Genworth Financial and Morgan Stanley to source and match teams of volunteers to local nonprofits who need help with key business problems.
Over the past eight years, they have connected more than 150 nonprofit organizations with more than 400 corporate volunteers, with each project generating $30,000 - $60,000 in pro bono assistance for the nonprofit.
It’s great to see someone writing about the opportunity to leverage private sector human capital. As the competition for resources increases, it’s true that skilled volunteers may be one of our best avenues to strengthening nonprofit operations and allowing these organizations to better serve their local communities.
COMMENTS
BY Chris Jarvis
ON October 15, 2008 10:41 AM
Good overview of the research Todd,
The question that is itching to be scratched is ‘why’? Why did one out of three volunteers walk out on their volunteer experience? You cite the research that suggests it was a lack of good management, and not providing meaningful work. True. But our high level perspectives tend to overlook the subtleties that are actually at work. For example, while it is true that volunteers involved on Boards, strategy meetings, and other opportunities that demand higher levels of commitment and utilize professional skills (even after school tutoring programs) have a (75%) return rate, they make for poor entry level opportunities to volunteering. On the other hand, general labour opportunities only offer a 55% chance of the volunteer returning the following year.
And this is where those subtleties come into play. NPOs have to offer easy entry experiences for people, and then be prepared to meet those interested in going further at their Highest Level of Contribution. We need to stop treating everyone the same. Offer low thresholds to the newcomers (to volunteering or your field of service) and ask for deepening levels of commitment from those who want to make those kinds of commitments.
Again, a good overview and dead on conclusions. Thanks for raising the discussion.
BY Katie
ON October 22, 2008 07:17 PM
Thank you for bringing up this important topic, Todd. Your readers may want to check out an organization called Common Impact that does just what you suggest – i.e., they help companies deploy their human capital more strategically in the social sector. They are currently working with 20+ global companies such as Cisco, State Street, Fidelity Investments, Genworth Financial and Morgan Stanley to source and match teams of volunteers to local nonprofits who need help with key business problems.
Over the past eight years, they have connected more than 150 nonprofit organizations with more than 400 corporate volunteers, with each project generating $30,000 - $60,000 in pro bono assistance for the nonprofit.
It’s great to see someone writing about the opportunity to leverage private sector human capital. As the competition for resources increases, it’s true that skilled volunteers may be one of our best avenues to strengthening nonprofit operations and allowing these organizations to better serve their local communities.