Register for an insightful session led by Charlotte Payton, offering a comprehensive exploration of 'Empowering Champions and Elevating Champion Programs' within your organization.
The webinar explored the creation of impactful corporate volunteer champion programs. Companies are encouraged to start small, scaling thoughtfully as success is achieved. Selecting champions who align with the company culture and have prior volunteering experience is key. Comprehensive training equips champions with the skills to engage nonprofits, plan events, and grow professionally. Streamlined responsibilities and organizational support foster sustained enthusiasm. Recognition and integration into HR processes embed the program in company culture. Offering a variety of volunteering experiences caters to diverse interests, while leadership alignment and high-quality experiences ensure a robust culture of giving back, amplifying the impact on both employees and communities. Thoughtful program design enables life-changing volunteer experiences with lasting organizational and social impact.
Q: How did organizations start their CSR champion programs?
A: Goodera began modestly, focusing on offices with over 100 employees to maximize engagement without causing volunteer fatigue. Champions in larger offices supported smaller offices and the central CSR team. Insights from year one guided scaling in subsequent years. Typically, one or two champions per large office were appointed, with flexibility for different engagement levels and office cultures.
Q: How are champions identified and selected?
A: At Apple, selection considered cultural fit, tenure (minimum six months), work schedules, and excluded employees on performance improvement plans. NBCUniversal used a structured approach combining nominations from HR, ERGs, and DEI groups, plus self-applications, focusing on volunteer experience, leadership potential, and role level. Their U.S. rollout included 24 ambassadors across 11 businesses and 13 cities, recruiting 360 volunteers, over 25% first-timers.
Q: How are champions trained?
A:
- Apple: Manager approval → playbook → live Webex sessions → self-directed modules with monthly/quarterly check-ins. Training included role responsibilities, nonprofit engagement, event management, and platform usage (e.g., Benevity).
- Goodera: Onboarding meetings, bimonthly CSR calls, training on platforms, nonprofit work, sustainability, and professional development, plus monthly regional drop-ins. Year two plans include e-learning modules, nonprofit-led workshops, and HR integration.
- NBCUniversal: Three sessions covering CSR overview, Non-Profit 101, and guidance on planning meaningful projects, emphasizing education, empathy, and high-quality experiences.
Q: How is the champion’s role simplified?
A: Providing structured training, financial support, and clear company backing reduces stress, allowing champions to plan and execute events effectively without conflict with daily work.
Q: How are champions recognized and retained?
A: Goodera: Donations to nonprofit favorites, showcasing achievements in reports, internal communications, HR integration, and awareness roadshows. Apple: Term limits (e.g., two years) with options to move into other volunteer roles like volunteer guides.
Q: Advice for starting a volunteer champion program?
A:
- Align with organizational values and secure leadership buy-in (Ifeoma, Goodera).
- Offer a variety of volunteering opportunities: virtual, short-term, hands-on, skill-based (Hilary, NBCUniversal).
Ensure high-quality volunteer experiences to encourage repeat participation and build a sustainable volunteering culture.
