
Mandela Day, observed on 18 July, aims to inspire individuals and organisations to take meaningful actions that contribute to positive global change. This national day of volunteerism and philanthropy has become a powerful movement, encouraging people to donate their time, goods, resources, and services to various beneficiaries across South Africa. By embracing the spirit of Mandela Day, companies can foster a culture of corporate volunteerism, creating lasting impacts within their communities and strengthening their commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Ninety-two percent of employees who work at a company with a strong sense of purpose say they would be more likely to recommend their employer to those in their network who are looking for a job.
Harvard Business School Online
Corporate volunteerism, where employees engage in volunteer activities during their workday, not only boosts morale and enhances mental and emotional well-being but also positions your business as a compassionate and community-focused organisation. Many non-profit organisations can greatly benefit from your team’s participation.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you launch a successful corporate volunteerism program:
1. Determine your Objectives: Outline the goals and objectives for the project. Are you aiming to improve employee engagement or become more actively involved in the community? Clear objectives will guide and develop the program.
2. Choose a Cause Aligned with your Mission and Consider your Budget: Revisit your company’s mission statement and use it as a guidepost to choose a cause that aligns with your mission. Assess community needs and consider your team’s interests. Determine your budget to ensure the project remains financially sustainable.
3. Partner with Experienced Non-Profits: Partnering with established non-profits, such as Badisa, ensures long-term impact. Collaborating with an established non-profit organisation will enable you and your team to engage with the community, understand their genuine needs, and provide meaningful support, rather than imposing what you believe is best as an outsider.
4. Organise and Empower your Team: Plan the project with your team and the non-profit to create a sense of ownership and empowerment. Clearly outline roles and responsibilities to ensure everyone knows what is expected of them.
5. Communicate Expectations and Promote the Event: Use communication channels like email, intranet postings, internal meetings, and company newsletters to inform your team about the benefits and opportunities of participating in the corporate volunteer program. Promote the event externally on social media platforms with regular updates and success stories.
6. Provide Training and Support: Ensure your team is well-informed about the non-profit partner, the community being served, and relevant health and safety guidelines. Identify any areas where training might be required to prepare your team adequately. Partners like Badisa offer comprehensive preparation and training to ensure that your team understands the community’s needs and dynamics, thus avoiding the common pitfall of inadvertently causing harm by attempting to do everything for the community members rather than empowering them. By equipping your team with the necessary skills and knowledge, Badisa helps your team build respectful and sustainable community interactions, ensuring that your efforts lead to genuine and lasting positive change.
For this year’s Mandela Day, Badisa’s Little Seeds Early Childhood Development centres (ECDs) has partnered with anti-gender violence (GBV) advocacy organisation 1000 Women Trust and Max and Me to launch the Paws and Peace Corners project. This initiative aims to create Trauma Informed spaces for children across South Africa.
Read more to find out how your organisation can get involved and make a meaningful impact this Mandela Day.