Tips to help you create a culture that encourages volunteering.
OBJECTIVES
Why is volunteering within the workplace a good idea?
Volunteering helps to boost morale and improve the workplace environment
At an individual level, it’s fantastic for both your body and mind
At a team level, it’s great for connection
It’s a brilliant way to show you care and support worthy causes
HOW TO GET STARTED
Ways to bake volunteering into your workplace culture
Decide on a volunteering policy covering things like whether you want to give people a number of days (or hours) per year to volunteer and whether people need to volunteer for an organisation from an approved list.
Join communities like Volunteering NZ or Seek Volunteer AU to access a wide database of volunteering opportunities.
If you’re an animal lover, the SPCA or RSPCA are always seeking volunteers to help foster pets, run their op shops and more.
Take a walk on the wild side and volunteer at a zoo or wildlife organisation. The Auckland Zoo has Zoo Volunteers and there are wildlife organisations like Forest & Bird and Kiwis for Kiwi. In Australia, there are organisations like Wild Life Warriors and Wires Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation.
Help keep the environment safe with the Department of Conservation NZ or Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Australia.
Bring a little love to those less fortunate with programs like the Compassion Soup Kitchen or OZHarvest.
These are just a few ideas – there are hundreds of other options to explore, like youth organisations, mentoring programs, sports clubs, charity shops, mental health foundations, and more. A quick Google search will likely reveal some more volunteering opportunities near you and relevant to your workplace.
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