Ken Washington, PhD’s Post

🌟🤝 The Power of Volunteerism in the Workplace 🌟🤝 📆 Over the past 20 years of my career, I've noticed something truly disheartening: the lack of encouragement and support for pursuing job opportunities that align with volunteer efforts. It got me thinking - why aren't more companies actively promoting and facilitating volunteerism? 🤔 🌍 Recently, I made a personal decision to potentially transition into the nonprofit world. Witnessing greed and a lack of social responsibility in some workplaces made me question the status quo. Why should giving back be solely an individual effort? 🤷♀️ 💡 This realization has prompted me to take action. I firmly believe that companies should prioritize and advocate for employee volunteerism as an integral part of their culture. Together, we can create positive change in society. 🌟 📝 In fact, I've come to realize that my "two-page" resume needs to expand to three pages! I have an entire one-pager dedicated to the mostly Jewish volunteer initiatives I've been involved in since my teenage years. From supporting special needs kids to building homes to to hand-delivering charity to families in need just a short distance away, I've witnessed the incredible impact of giving of oneself. It's time to recognize the value of these experiences professionally. 🙌 💼 We need a shift in mindset and a stronger commitment from organizations to actively promote and facilitate volunteerism in the workplace. We may not have the capital ourselves to give, but we sure can do so with our bodies and time! Together, we can create a workforce that values the contribution of time, skills, and energy in making a difference in our communities. 🌍💪 🌟 Let's be the catalysts for change. Whether it's through mentorship programs, community service initiatives, or partnerships with local nonprofits, there are endless possibilities to incorporate volunteerism into our professional lives. It's time to make a collective effort to reshape the role of businesses in society and embrace the power of giving back. 🤝🌟 #Volunteerism #CorporateSocialResponsibility #MakeADifference #SocialImpact #WorkplaceCulture

🌟🤝 The Power of Volunteerism in the Workplace 🌟🤝 📆 Over the past 20 years of my career, I've noticed something truly disheartening: the lack of encouragement and support for pursuing job opportunities that align with volunteer efforts. It got me thinking - why aren't more companies actively promoting and facilitating volunteerism? 🤔 🌍 Recently, I made a personal decision to potentially transition into the nonprofit world. Witnessing greed and a lack of social responsibility in some workplaces made me question the status quo. Why should giving back be solely an individual effort? 🤷♀️ 💡 This realization has prompted me to take action. I firmly believe that companies should prioritize and advocate for employee volunteerism as an integral part of their culture. Together, we can create positive change in society. 🌟 📝 In fact, I've come to realize that my "two-page" resume needs to expand to three pages! I have an entire one-pager dedicated to the mostly Jewish volunteer initiatives I've been involved in since my teenage years. From supporting special needs kids to building homes to to hand-delivering charity to families in need just a short distance away, I've witnessed the incredible impact of giving of oneself. It's time to recognize the value of these experiences professionally. 🙌 💼 We need a shift in mindset and a stronger commitment from organizations to actively promote and facilitate volunteerism in the workplace. We may not have the capital ourselves to give, but we sure can do so with our bodies and time! Together, we can create a workforce that values the contribution of time, skills, and energy in making a difference in our communities. 🌍💪 🌟 Let's be the catalysts for change. Whether it's through mentorship programs, community service initiatives, or partnerships with local nonprofits, there are endless possibilities to incorporate volunteerism into our professional lives. It's time to make a collective effort to reshape the role of businesses in society and embrace the power of giving back. 🤝🌟 #Volunteerism #CorporateSocialResponsibility #MakeADifference #SocialImpact #WorkplaceCulture

"Volunteering can be a transactional activity, or it can challenge the way you think about the world and your place in it," says Mandy Iverson. In that vein, the Medtronic Foundation and the Medtronic GIDE team have started a conversation on how to transform corporate volunteering. They created an Equity in Community Engagement Toolkit, and while it isn't available publicly (exclusive content for Medtronic employees!), we were able to share three tips for engaging responsibly with the community -- especially when it comes to corporate volunteer opportunities. First, make sure you’re partnering with organizations that share community-centric values. There are a few things you can look for, such as an organization's mission and values explicitly mentioning a commitment to equity and inclusion and having diverse staff and leadership. Check out the article for the other two tips 📝

 Engagement in this sense can have many forms, from volunteering and donating money to your favorite charity or nonprofit to joining community organizations. #ImpactDots #Impact #Social #SocialImpact #Volunteering #Community #CommunityEngagement

In 5 years, I moved 7 times between 3 different countries. I was climbing the career ladder. Every move would bring me closer to my corporate career goal, so I was up for the challenge. Those years were full of new work and cultural experiences, wonderful colleagues, and career opportunities. But every 6-12 months, I had to start over in a new city with new colleagues and no friends. It started as a very lonely journey until… I started volunteering. Volunteering at local nonprofits became a way for me to meet people and find friends outside work, learn, and give back to the community I was fortunate to be in for a short period. I planted olive trees, mentored kids, and helped prepare meals. As a foreigner and an “outsider,” volunteering helped me feel like I belonged as a part of the community. In 2020, COVID forced me to think about my life priorities and what I want to do. I knew I wanted to make a meaningful impact. But I didn’t know what that was until I came across Giveffect. It was a dream come true with: ✅ Combining my love for nonprofits & building community with my passion for tech & efficiency ✅ Helping people be more efficient and human-centered ✅ Supporting not one but many nonprofits at the same time With my volunteering, I saw many #nonprofits that struggled to solve and advocate for specific issues due to lack of funding, volunteers, human capital, the list can go on and on. Back then, all I could do to help was give my time. Now, I have the technology, experience, and an amazing team to support nonprofits in reaching their #fundraising, #volunteering, and #engagement goals. I didn’t choose my path when I went to college. I didn’t know what it was in my 20s. It literally took me traveling and working across the globe, going through COVID, and some luck in finding Giveffect to realize what impact I want to make. What brought you to your work?

Learn to program robots using Scratch!!! #neurodiversity #outreach #InclusiveWorld #support #community #diversity #supporteveryone #event #nonprofit #differentlyabled #inclusion #vocation #everyonematters #raisemoney #events #raiseawareness #engage #social #good #socialize #openhouse #programs #services #mission #volunteer #neurodiverse #approach

Since joining the charity sector, I have had the opportunity to introduce many individuals to the world of volunteering. Each person brings a unique story during their interview process. We encounter a diverse range of individuals, from college students to retirees, who have some free time and a desire to contribute to their communities. Additionally, there are those who volunteer due to feelings of loneliness. The motivations for volunteering vary greatly. One prevalent theme I have noticed is that many individuals volunteer in order to expand their skillset. However, there is also a less discussed reason why some people approach us for volunteering opportunities. They express a desire to work, but have faced indirect discrimination in the past. This topic is deeply personal to me, as I come from a neurodiverse family and have witnessed the challenges they have faced in education and the workplace. Every volunteer brings a unique set of skills, and it is truly a rewarding experience to get to know each individual and witness their confidence and abilities flourish. For instance, one volunteer approached us with a desire to gain experience in the retail sector. It was disheartening to learn that he had faced numerous rejections after applying for over 70 jobs, causing his confidence to diminish. His main goal was to support his family, but employers were unable to see beyond his nationality and failed to recognize his abilities. I felt a strong urge to assist him, so I provided support and advice. As a result, he is now an integral part of a company that appreciates and values his contributions. Once he regained his sense of worth, his vibrancy for life resurfaced. One of the reasons why I find my work at Acorns Children's Hospice so fulfilling is because of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. It is deeply important to us to support and develop the skills and confidence of every individual we encounter. This aspect of my job brings me great satisfaction. #volunteering #diversitymatters #encourageoneanother Image Accreditation: http://www.freepik.com Designed by pikisuperstar

🌿 Looking to make your non-profit's events more inclusive? Nature Freedom is here to help! 🌟 As advocates for accessibility and inclusivity, we're excited to share valuable resources and insights on integrating inclusive nature events into your programs and services. Whether you're organizing a community outing or planning a team-building retreat, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to connect with nature. Here are some tips to get started: - Assess your venue's accessibility: Ensure that outdoor spaces are wheelchair-friendly and equipped with accessible amenities. - Provide adaptive equipment: Offer specialised gear such as all-terrain wheelchairs or sensory-friendly tools to accommodate diverse needs. - Offer guided experiences: Engage participants with guided nature walks led by experienced facilitators who understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. - Foster a supportive environment: Create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels included and valued. At Nature Freedom, we're passionate about promoting inclusivity in outdoor recreation, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Let's work together to make nature accessible to all! #InclusiveNature #Accessibility #NonProfitInclusion

UNCOVERING/UNLEASHING VOLUNTEER POTENTIAL FOR GREATER IMPACT - Recognizing volunteers’ diverse & often unexplored talents and engaging in meaningful conversations can empower organizations (including non-profits & local governments) can unlock hidden potential - resulting in amplified impact & achievements beyond initial perceptions. ⚜ ‘Pay-It-Forward’: An Unconventional Request - Introducing a unique approach - Requesting volunteer time to fulfill a need can pave the way for unforeseen opportunities to contribute to the community. ⚜ Discovering Hidden Skills & Specialized Abilities - People encompass more than their professional roles. By engaging in casual conversations, we can unearth additional expertise & hobbies that have the potential to address different needs and enrich the community. Many individuals possess valuable skills that can serve the greater good. ⚜ Identifying Overlooked Skills - By exploring skills that may be overlooked due to familiarity, we can tap into a wellspring of untapped potential. ⚜ Openness to Unforeseen Help - Cultivating a mindset of receptiveness to unanticipated aid, especially in the era of influencers and digital creators, can reveal the transferability of knowledge from one individual to another. ⚜ Expanding Volunteer Roles - Breaking free from confining volunteer roles that pigeonhole individuals into specific tasks is essential to harnessing their diverse skill sets. ⚜ Recognizing Untapped Potential - Engaging in dialogue with volunteers unveils hidden talents and passions that can be channeled into unexpected contributions. Unique skills possessed by volunteers can lead to exceptional offerings, including legal support, connections with celebrities, and specialized assistance. ⚜ Encouraging Non-Work Skills - Volunteers may possess skills extending beyond their professional domains, enriching their capacity to contribute meaningfully. ⚜ Leveraging Passion and Learning - Motivating volunteers to invest in areas of personal passion or interest to facilitate learning can foster contributions driven by genuine enthusiasm. ⚜ Mission Expansion through Volunteers - Highlighting the value of volunteer-initiated endeavors and community input as opportunities for growth rather than mission drift can lead to discovering unmet needs & untapped possibilities. Our community & non-profit volunteers have the potential to propel anticipated AND unexpected accomplishments & greatly enhance outcomes. #JoinTheTeam #Volunteer #CommunityEngagement #NonProfit #SmallTownChange #Change #Leadership #business #innovation #Volunteerism

🙌 Engaging and retaining volunteers is key to the success of any organization. Here are three valuable tips for making it happen:   1️⃣ Create a welcoming environment: Foster a sense of belonging by offering a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Provide clear roles, meaningful tasks, and opportunities for growth.   2️⃣ Show appreciation: Recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of your volunteers. Express gratitude, provide feedback, and acknowledge their impact. Small gestures go a long way!   3️⃣ Nurture relationships: Build strong connections with your volunteers. Offer regular communication, check-ins, and opportunities for them to connect with each other. Make them feel like part of a close-knit community.   🌐 Have more tips to share? Comment below and let's empower each other in creating an amazing volunteer experience! #VolunteerEngagement #NonprofitSuccess #Appreciation #BuildingCommunity