Month: January 2022

Workplace volunteering is essential for increasing employee engagement and retention. In fact, 60% of employees want to work for a company that supports volunteering, and over 70% want to work for a company whose mission and values align with their own. But what does it mean for these values to align? What are employees
looking for in their volunteer work?

Thanks to a survey from America’s Charities, we now have those answers, which we’ve compiled into the infographic below.

Workplace Volunteering by the Numbers

As you can see, employees appreciate volunteer experiences that bring them closer to their coworkers and organizational leaders. Additionally, they want to play a role in choosing which nonprofits and charities to support. If you assign volunteer projects without consulting them—or if you don’t focus on the teamwork aspect of giving back—you’re not truly aligning their wants with your volunteer offerings. However, if you choose projects that matter to your employees, they’ll feel heard, supported, and valued. And if you incorporate team building activities into your volunteer work, you’ll create more tightly-knit, productive teams.

Employees also value organization and want to take part in volunteer projects with clear goals. They enjoy when technology is incorporated into these projects, so long as that technology is easy to use. For these reasons, it’s important to plan projects that are straightforward, simple, and rewarding. And in order to do so, it’s best to partner with a volunteer company who can handle that planning for you.

Generus makes volunteer work easy by scheduling and coordinating your virtual volunteer projects. When choosing a project, we survey your employees to better understand their ideals and interests. We also prioritize team building activities and make it easy for employees to connect, no matter where they are. Furthermore, we provide the technology to assess employee engagement in each activity and to make your experience even better next time. In short, we understand what your employees value about volunteering, and our projects align with those values.

If you’d like to plan your next volunteer event with Generus, reach out today. And if you’d like to learn more about who we are and what we do, click here to learn more about our offerings.

MLK Day celebrates the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. And in 1994, the holiday was officially designated as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Ever since, hundreds of thousands of Americans have embraced the annual holiday by devoting their time, money, and labor to nonprofits across the country. But why is service so intertwined with the holiday? And what did service mean to Martin Luther King Jr.?

Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist who committed himself to racial justice. He fought for systemic change and was instrumental in improving labor rights, securing the right to vote for Black people, and protesting Jim Crow. His goal was to create a world in which all men and women would be treated as equals, and he wished to be remembered as someone who devoted his life to serving others. In that spirit, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a time to honor Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on community values, committing to anti-racist work, and making a difference in society.

How Can I Devote Myself to Systemic Change?

Systemic change starts with individual change. It’s important to actively reflect on ways in which our views and actions are harmful, even inadvertently. This is especially true when it comes to racism.

In order to become anti-racist, start by buying books about anti-racism from Black-owned bookstores. You can also donate to organizations committed to helping BIPOC communities and social initiatives. And if you see someone being racist, call it out, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Another way to honor King on this day of service is by volunteering. Our wonderful nonprofit partners could use your help, and we’d love to set up a project.

If you’d like to make a difference and serve your community, reach out to us today.

Ever since the pandemic began, the “new normal” has felt anything but. We’re still trying to figure out the best work setup for our employees’ health and needs. And we’re still trying to meet the ever-changing business demands brought about by new COVID variants. All of this can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you can easily start 2022 off right.

If you want to meet—and exceed—your 2022 goals, make sure to:

Check In with Your Employees

COVID has been a source of tension, both in and outside of work. We all want what’s best for our employees’ mental and emotional health. So, why not start by asking them?

Instead of assuming you know what your employees need, normalize monthly—or weekly—check-ins. This way, you’ll be able to gauge how they’re doing before stressors become too much. Additionally, you’ll have a better idea of what new strategies can best help your team.

On that note:

Coordinate a Flexible Remote Work Strategy

Even when the pandemic ends, you might need to shift to remote work again. Whether you’re having an in-office tech issue or car problems that prevent you from driving there, you don’t want to be caught off guard. Furthermore, the science shows that, for many employees, remote work simply works best. And it’s time to start acknowledging why embracing—and continuing—remote work can be an investment.

Similarly:

Invest in Volunteering

We’ve already talked about why volunteering is an investment, and that’s only going to continue being true in 2022. In fact, it might become even more of an investment going forward. Younger generations are especially interested in companies that give back. And society in general wants to work with companies who are doing good for the community. Plus, employees who give together tend to be closer to each other and more productive.

In short, if your company’s not already volunteering together, 2022 is the time to start.

For more information about how to start 2022 off right by participating in a remote volunteering project, contact us today.