Q1: How can technology make volunteering easier and more seamless for employees?
A: Harshith (Regional Impact Programs Lead - India and EMEA, Atlassian): Technology platforms, like Goodera’s Champions Hub, allow employees to view and select volunteering opportunities just like booking a movie ticket. They help in event booking, participation tracking, impact reporting, and communication before, during, and after events. Virtual volunteering and AI-driven tools further enhance accessibility and scale.

Q: What are the challenges in adopting technology for corporate volunteering?
A: Harish (Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Tata Communications):

• Mismatch of expectations between companies, NGOs, and platform providers.
  
  
• Difficulty in creating platforms that cater to multiple organizations with different needs.
  
  
• Investment constraints for NGOs and platform providers to customize solutions.
  
  
• Potential risk of over-reliance on tech reducing human engagement.
  
  

A: Harshith (Atlassian):

• Supply-demand imbalance: many volunteers ready to contribute, but insufficient opportunities from nonprofits on tech platforms.
  
  
• Need for nonprofit-side tech enablement to scale volunteering effectively.
  
  

Q: What are some emerging trends in technology and AI for volunteering?
A: Harshith (Atlassian):

• Gamification to make volunteering fun and engaging.
  
  
• Champion networks for volunteer leadership and coordination.
  
  
• Virtual volunteering to connect employees globally with mentoring or projects.
  
  
• AI applications for matching mentors with mentees and recommending volunteer activities.
  
  

Q: How can organizations increase volunteer participation?
A: Harish (Tata Communications):

• Track volunteer numbers to demonstrate impact and secure leadership buy-in.
  
  
• Build a champions network to extend reach beyond lean CSR teams.
  
  
• Develop partnerships with NGOs to support volunteering initiatives.
  
  

Q: How can a good volunteering experience be translated into long-term meaningful support?
A: Harshith (Atlassian):

• Create a volunteering journey roadmap for individuals:
  
  
  
  • Occasional volunteer → Champion (organizer, event lead) → Change maker (fundraiser, skilled volunteering)
    
    
• Provide tailored resources, support, and motivation at each stage.
  
  
• Programs like Atlassian’s Foundation Rewards help formalize progression and rewards.
  
  

Q: Do employees continue volunteering after their first experience?
A: Harish (Tata Communications): About 25–35% of employees continue volunteering independently after their first organizational volunteering experience. Champions and alumni of volunteer programs often drive initiatives in other organizations or advocate for volunteering policies in their teams.

Q: How can small CSR teams manage complex volunteering initiatives efficiently?
A: Harshith (Atlassian) & Gazal Raina (Sr. Director, Client Engagement & Solutions, Goodera India):

• Use technology to handle scale, multi-geography programs, and complex operations.
  
  
• Champion networks reduce manual workload for small CSR teams.
  
  

Leverage virtual volunteering and AI tools to maximize impact without increasing team size.