Every December 5, we join the rest of the world in celebrating International Volunteer Day (IVD). This annual day of celebration was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to recognize and applaud volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to making positive changes in their communities and beyond.  

This special day holds deep meaning for me as an HR professional and talent recruiter. Volunteering is not just about giving back to our communities; it also creates opportunities for growth, connection, and shared purpose – both personally and professionally.  

How the benefits of volunteer work permeate the workplace   

In my professional life, I’ve seen firsthand how the power of volunteerism strengthens teams and nurtures leadership qualities:      

• It fosters empathy, resilience, and teamwork – values that are crucial in today’s workplace. 
  

• It leads to a sense of fulfillment in supporting local communities by giving back to others. 
  

• It creates broader perspectives by exposing us to new experiences, people, and cultures.
  

• It’s an opportunity to reflect on our professional roles as individuals and as a team in uniting around causes that enrich both the giver and the receiver.  

By encouraging employees to engage in impactful and engaging volunteer efforts, we are not only contributing to our communities, but we’re also building internal company cultures that thrive on collaboration and compassion.  

Ways to promote volunteerism across your company or team   

There are countless ways and opportunities for organizations in the public and private sectors to inspire employees to get involved in volunteer efforts. Here are a few ideas…   

Lead by example!

When you are actively involved in volunteer efforts yourself, your team members are more likely to appreciate the importance of volunteerism and do the same.

Partner with local groups

Every city has nonprofits and groups that make their communities stronger and healthier. Consider building a relationship with a reputable group or trusted nonprofit organization in your area – or create a group of your own! You can support tree planting, community gardening, Habitat for Humanity projects, food banks, wildlife conservation, animal welfare, book drives, fundraising, emergency relief efforts, road or river cleanups, online volunteer efforts – ideas and opportunities are endless.

Create volunteer days

One of my fellow recruiting partners at Goodwin Recruiting recently wrote about the benefits of company-sponsored volunteer days. In addition to highlighting successful program ideas invented by one of our clients, he encourages employers to try and identify volunteer opportunities that your employees are excited to rally around and support, which will boost their buy-in, engagement, and the volunteer experience.

Recognize volunteers on your team for their hard work

While volunteer service is a selfless act, recognizing your employees for their volunteer activities will show all employees how their teammates are creating positive change, that your company recognizes the importance of volunteerism, and will encourage more employees to get involved in volunteer work. You can acknowledge your volunteers in meetings or internal communications, and share photos or videos on social media of your team members’ volunteer service in action.  

Join me on this special day of recognition 

I’m sharing my passion about International Volunteer Day to remind us of the positive impact we can make when we step outside our daily routines to contribute to something larger than ourselves.  

Let’s make International Volunteer Day 2024 and many more days to come ones to remember, whether through acts of service, support, or advocacy. Together, we can create lasting change, one small step at a time. 

If I can ever be of service to you in finding talented, principled, and team-centric professionals for your team, feel free to contact me for a complimentary consultation.