Business Strengthening America: Steps for starting employee volunteer program -

President Bush has often used his leadership to call on American's to be mentors to at-risk youth. He has encouraged all forms of volunteerism and service.

The Tutor/Mentor Connection offers this advise to leaders:

1) Don't reinvent the wheel.
One company, or trade group, needs to set up a web site or refer companies to a web site, that collects links to companies that already have effective volunteer programs and that show their programs and their program infrastructure on their own web sites. Most companies don't have the money/staff to do the extensive research and strategic planning needed to tie corporate profit to investments in employee volunteer programs (EVP), thus they will do superficial research and develop a program that does not meet the need or their potential. However, good businesses thrive by borrowing ideas and innovating new solutions. This can work in building or improving Employee Volunteer Programs. A central web site that showcases companies already doing good volunteer recruitment gives recognition to those already active while providing models for newcomers. If such a site does not exist, companies can add their volunteer program web page address to the Resource Links section at www.tutormentorexchange.net.

2) The first step in an EVP is leadership and communications.
Any company CEO can use his web site and internal/external communications to encourage employees and customers to volunteer. Successful businesses use advertising every day to draw customers to their products and services. There is plenty of "white space" available for a "be a volunteer" message to ride along with internal and external communications on a regular basis. A web resource library (described above) would show companies that already use this strategy.

3) Companies don't need to screen or limit volunteer choices. Show the range of organizations where volunteers are needed. Let the potential volunteer decide where he/she wants to serve.
Use the volunteer referral services that already exist. In Illinois here are some links to referral centers:

State of Illinois - Volunteerism & Community Service wwww.state.il.us/volunteer
Every business and every elected official in every state should have a link to his/her state volunteer home page.

Chicago's Community Resource Network www.chicagovolunteer.net
Every business and every elected official in every city should have a link to his/her city's volunteer home page

Tutor/Mentor Connection www.tutormentorconnection.org
Any company that wants to help innercity kids, or support No Child Left Behind, should link to sites like this that show where poor schools are concentrated and that show locations where employees can be volunteers, leaders, donors, etc.

4) In addition, link to the national volunteer and donor referral sites like www.ServeNet.org, www.NetworkforGood.org, etc.

5) The best volunteer recruiter is a satisfied volunteer.
Recognize employees who are already doing volunteer work. Show links to where they volunteer so that other employees who see friends and co-workers profiled can also see where they can also get involved. The research in step one should show many companies that are very creative in recognizing the employees who already are volunteers in some organization. For a community organization, the best recruiter is the volunteer who is already involved and loves what he/she does. Companies that profile these satisfied volunteers will encourage others to get involved.

None of these steps cost much money. However, if repeated over and over and from year to year, they will lead to the type of business volunteer involvement the President wants from America's business leaders.

Learn more about the role of LEADERS. Visit the Tutor/Mentor Institute section at www.tutormentorexchange.net and read the Power Point essay titled  ROLE_OF_LEADERS