February 2006 Archives - Volunteer Management News from Volunteer Today efforts

Youth Service America, America's Promise, and Katrina's Kids are offering seventeen $1000 grants to young people (ages 5-25), to implement sustainable relief projects supporting the hurricane relief efforts in the Gulf Region. Projects will be launched on National and Global Youth Service Day, and must be youth created and led. Applications will be accepted through March 3, 2006.

Katrina's Kids Community Service Grants will recognize the contributions of young people from across the country who are working in the hurricane relief efforts, and hope to further inspire youth to get involved in service. To apply, please visit http://www.ysa.org/awards and download an application. For more information about the Katrina's Kids Community Service Grants, please contact the Outreach Department at 202-296-2992, ext. 17 or email at: myoung@ysa.org.

It is well known that volunteers are generous, not only with time, but with money. However, region of the US differ in the generosity of their citizens. The chart below comes from research by the Giving USA Foundation. The full report is available for $35 by calling 888-544-8464. The report is included in the Giving USA Quarterly. Their web site is https://www.aafrc.org/secure. This abbreviated report appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy for December 8, 2006. Be sure to share it with others in the organization.

Volunteering: Useful Tool in the Workplace

Volunteers are often reluctant to tout their charitable work to employers. Turns out they should be doing that. A recent study in England demonstrates that skills learned on volunteer assignments are useful in the workplace. It seems especially true if the volunteer work was done international.

According to research published today by the Chartered Management Institute and the international volunteer agency VSO, individuals who volunteer internationally develop expertise that addresses skills gaps in the UK. Although employers are quick to recognize the value of volunteering, individuals do not always market themselves sufficiently when they return home.

The research done in January 2006, questioned 516 managers, revealed that the majority of managers (78 per cent) are involved in voluntary activity. Altruism and the desire to help others was the top reason for volunteering both ‘at home’ (79 per cent) and internationally (65 per cent). However, the findings point to a missed opportunity as few considered the impact volunteer work could have on their career. Only 23 per cent saw it as a chance to build networks, just 16 per cent cited the prospect of learning new skills and 12 percent said professional development was a motivating factor.

Yet the research, which also probed 100 former VSO volunteers through detailed interviews, demonstrated how international experience has a significant impact on skills development.

Managers of volunteers can help people translate their service work to the job or for a new and better job. As volunteers are trained and in on-going communication, emphasize how skills learned translate to the work place.

To view a more complete version of this report visit this web site:
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/browse/volunteering-issues/volunteer-management/individuals-fail-to-capitalize-1137598294/lang/en.html.