Foreword
I am delighted to introduce NASSCOM Foundation’s 'Volunteers in Action' booklet that will provide a window into the world of corporate volunteering.
The IT-BPO industry employs 2.5 million young and dynamic people - the future of our country. They have a spirit, a zeal to see a different world around them and are willing to do what is necessary to usher change. That is what sees software engineers creating NGO websites, project managers conducting workshops for NGO managers, HR managers providing counselling to youth with disabilities, CXOs providing mentorship to social entrepreneurs and many such examples.
Corporates across the country have realised the ’business case’ in promoting employee volunteering. Volunteering not only enhances team work and professional competencies but also drives and integrates employee involvement in core business functions, be it freshers or veterans. It helps in keeping employees engaged and in improving the reputation of the company both internally and externally. An active employee volunteer program not only injects values of social commitment and responsibility into the culture of the company but also into the lives of the employees and their families.
I hope you find this booklet useful in designing and structuring your volunteer program. I take this opportunity to thank CSC India for their support and active participation in the ’BRing the Change’ week and in bringing out this document.
RITA SONI | Chief Executive Officer
"Volunteering includes a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and selfhelp, formal service delivery and other forms of civic participation, undertaken of free will, for the general public good, where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor."
UN General Assembly
"Volunteering includes activities or work that some people willingly do without pay to promote a cause or help someone outside their household or immediate family."
ILO
"Volunteering is defined as a form of social behaviour undertaken freely, which benefits the community and society at large, as well as the volunteer, and which is not driven by financial considerations."
UN Volunteers
"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now . Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
Mahatma Gandhi
I Volunteer because....
"I care."
Kavitha Sreedhar, Concentrix"
I believe if I can make some changes in the lives of others then I consider I have lived a fulfilled life."
Christine Pereira, Aegis Limited
"There is a cost of
ownership associated
with everything and
contribution to the
society is the rent we
need to pay to stay on
this planet, be it in terms
of time or efforts."
Syed Najeeb, Octaware
"I love to bring out the
best in others."
Elizabeth Jones, Thomson Reuters |
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"It is an excellent platform to engage and network with NGOs that have been doing some great work"
Reena Chowdhury, Thomson Reuters
"I want to see the world
from the eyes of the
unprivileged."
Om Tripathi, Steria India Limited
"I love the great feeling it
brings. In fact, I feel the
feeling can be addictive."
Rahul Varshney, NewgenTechnologie
"I want to be the
change."
Priya Mittal
Tata Consultancy Services |
|
"Volunteering is an
indomitable spirit fuelled
by vision, passion and
action.The fire thus lit,
sparkles,warms hearts
and lifts up people."
Harish Rao, CSC
"I enjoy helping people
and it is professionally
and personally fulfilling
and a great Karma."
Deepak Srivastava, CSC
"Seeing a smile on a
deprived human being is
worth heaven -Way to
getting closer to God."
Jagjit Singh Chawla
"I believe I can make a
difference in a small way."
Harish Rao, Deutsche Bank |
|
"It gives me a sense of
joy and self-fulfillment and helps me connect with myself."
Maggie Singh, Tata Consultancy Services
"It is not only an avenue
to channelize my social
consciousness but it also
serves as a platform for
social transformation."
Justin Paul, Mahindra Satyam
"I understand my responsibilities towards
the environment.
Following small steps
does not require extra
effort from my side."
Manish K, Mahindra Satyam |
Manage Your Stars
A planned and structured approach to
volunteering helps in measuring effectiveness.
The volunteer management cycle should
involve the following steps:
Volunteer Management Cycle |
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Volunteer Management Checklist |
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Do you have... |
| A clear understanding of how volunteers contribute to the beneficiary organisation? |
|
| Goals and plans? |
|
| A volunteer policy? |
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| A volunteer manager/co-ordinator for managing your volunteer program? |
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| Volunteer induction and sensitisation plan? |
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| Detailed project information? |
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| Expectation from volunteers? |
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Measure to Manage
- What can't be measured, can't be managed
- Assess impact and get feedback
- Enhance the credibility of your program
- Use as a tool for volunteer motivation
- Leads to program growth and improvement
Parameters of measuring volunteers' contribution:
- Number of hours a volunteer has contributed
- Meeting project goals
- Peer engagement
- Skills enhancement of volunteers/beneficiaries
|
|
Tools for measuring volunteering
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Do’s and Don'ts of
Volunteering
- Leave your address & contact details with the volunteer coordinator
- Take initiative to start something new or better during your assignment
- Maintain friendly relations with employees and other volunteers of theNGO you work with
- Keep mentor updated about new initiatives undertaken
- Speak sensitively considering the circumstances of the
beneficiaries
- It is ok to say NOto tasks beyond one's competence
- Read about the area of work you are taking up
- Inform the NGO if late or absent or if discontinuing with services
|
|
- Over-commit to the NGOs or communities
- Set unreasonable goals
- Think volunteering must be a group effort
- Take up work for issues that you are uncomfortable with
- Get personal with NGO staff or community members
- Expect overnight change
- Get involved in NGOs internal matters
|
Structure your Stars
Volunteer Policy
A volunteer policy should have the
following sections:
- Overall Business Responsibility goals
- Induction, training and sensitisation sessions
- Volunteering program structure and roles
- Budget
- Health, safety and insurance
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Grievance and disciplinary procedures
Volunteer Policy Templates
|
|
Benefits
- Demonstrates that the employee volunteering program has the support of senior management
- Ensures everyone knows the procedures involved
- Indicates to employees that the program is taken seriously and is worthwhile
- Structures the programme
Characteristics
- Aligns to company's overall business principles
- Aligns to company’s HR policy
- Communicates to all stakeholders
- Written clearly and focused
|
Keep Stars Happy
 Recognise STAR volunteer of the month- LinkedIn recommendations
- Tweet about your volunteers
- Upload volunteer feedback and photos on your intranet, newsletter and website
- Volunteering to hold significance during appraisals
- Incentivise your volunteers
- Give volunteers an opportunity to share experiences on public platforms
Managing your stars
The MyK Way!
The MyKartavya program has the 'Strategic
Volunteering' arm of NASSCOM member companies.
With more than 25,000 volunteers from 17 companies,
MyKartavya is considered an extension of the business
Responsibility program of the IT-BPO industry enabling
BR/HR managers to effectively manage their employee
volunteering programs.
Benefits of MyKartavya
- Structured implementation of your volunteering program
- Strategic utilization of your employee's time and competency
- State-of-the-Art portal for measuring impact
- Industry-wide and international recognition for corporate and employees
You can contact us on
Twitter: MyKartavya
LinkedIn:
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Website: www.mykartavya.com
Email:
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MyK
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A
picture is worth a 1000 words
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| Expanding children’s horizon |
Go Red-AIDS awareness |
Visit to old age home |
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Donate a meal |
Billion acts of green
Clean up drive |
| Program management workshop |
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CEO Volunteer day |
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Resource Centre
Defining Volunteerism
Volunteer Management
Measuring Volunteerism
Others
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Our Work 
