My Learnings from the Karma Summit by Goodera

The Karma Summit, organized by Goodera, was recently held in Bangalore and focused on corporate volunteering in India. The summit brought together around 50 corporates from across the country to discuss the evolving landscape of corporate volunteering and the impact of various initiatives. This event provided a platform for thought leaders, CSR and volunteering professionals, and change-makers to share insights and best practices. Here, I share detailed session-wise learnings, complete with examples and data points, from the event.

Session 1: Megatrends Influencing Employee Volunteering in 2024

Key Takeaways:

• AI's Rapid Rise: The integration of AI in volunteering platforms is revolutionizing how organizations manage and engage volunteers. AI-driven platforms can match volunteers with opportunities that align with their skills and interests, enhancing engagement and impact.
• Generational Shift: With Millennials and Gen Z soon comprising 75% of the workforce, there is a strong preference for purpose-driven work. These generations are more likely to engage in volunteering activities that align with their values.
• Global Participation: In 2024, 49% of the world’s population is expected to participate in national elections, indicating a heightened awareness and engagement in social issues. This trend is mirrored in the increasing participation in volunteering and CSR activities.
• Growth in Volunteering: A remarkable 50% year-over-year growth in volunteering reflects a significant shift towards social responsibility, driven by both individual and corporate initiatives.

Session 2: Fireside Chat - Global Best Practices in Volunteering

Key Takeaways:

• Volunteer Time Off Policies: Indian corporates are setting benchmarks by allowing employees paid time off to volunteer. This policy not only encourages participation but also demonstrates the company's commitment to social responsibility.
• Sustainable Programs: Establishing long-term partnerships with NGOs that align with corporate values ensures the sustainability and effectiveness of volunteering programs. For example, companies like Tata Consultancy Services have long-term partnerships with educational NGOs to support children.
• Local Understanding: Tailoring programs to respect local causes and cultural nuances is crucial for meaningful impact. This approach ensures that the initiatives are relevant and well-received by the local communities.
• Cultural Integration: Volunteering should be part of the organizational culture. IBM, for instance, has integrated volunteering into its corporate culture, encouraging employees to participate in various social impact activities.
• Communication: Effective communication is essential to align local activities with global targets. Regular updates and transparent communication help in maintaining consistency and achieving the desired impact.
• Recognition: Recognizing and rewarding employees for their volunteering efforts, such as Amazon's Volunteer Excellence Awards, helps sustain engagement and motivates others to participate.

Session 3: Fireside Chat - Innovation in Volunteering

Key Takeaways:

• Technological Enhancements: New platforms are being developed to match employees with volunteering opportunities based on their skills and interests, making volunteering more accessible and impactful. For example, platforms like Goodera use AI to match volunteers with suitable opportunities.
• Virtual Volunteering: The rise of virtual volunteering has expanded opportunities for employees to contribute, regardless of their location. This flexibility allows more employees to participate in volunteering activities.
• Gamification: Incorporating gamification elements into volunteering programs can increase participation and engagement. For instance, companies can create leaderboards and reward systems to make volunteering more engaging and fun.

Session 4: Panel Discussion - Measuring the Impact of Volunteering

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of Metrics: Measuring the impact of CSR initiatives is essential for understanding their effectiveness and making data-driven decisions. Companies like Unilever have developed comprehensive frameworks to measure the social and environmental impact of their initiatives.
• Tools and Frameworks: Various tools and frameworks for impact measurement were discussed, emphasizing transparency and accountability in volunteering efforts. For example, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework helps quantify the social value created by volunteering activities.
• Case Studies: Several companies shared their experiences and methodologies for measuring impact. These case studies provided valuable insights into best practices and challenges in impact measurement.

Session 5: Transformational Vs Transactional Volunteering by Chris Jarvis

Key Takeaways:

• Transformational volunteering is about creating meaningful, long-lasting impacts for both the volunteer and the community. It involves deep engagement and personal growth, unlike transactional volunteering, which is more task-oriented.
• Social skills may have become rusty post-pandemic, and people might be apprehensive about group events. It's important to rethink volunteering by focusing on individual interests rather than group expectations.
• Volunteering should align with personal interests and identities. By focusing on what individuals care about, organizations can foster more enthusiastic and committed volunteers.
• The term "volunteering" can carry certain connotations. Rebranding it could help broaden its appeal and reduce any perceived baggage.
• Volunteers can be categorized into stages: tourists (newcomers), travelers (moderately engaged), and guides (highly committed). Each stage requires different engagement strategies to ensure a positive experience and prevent burnout.
• Burnout occurs when volunteers are not engaged at their highest level of contribution. It's crucial to match volunteers with tasks that align with their skills and interests to prevent burnout and ensure sustained engagement.
• Providing meaningful and enjoyable experiences is key to retaining volunteers. Ensuring that first-time volunteers have a positive experience can encourage them to continue volunteering and transition from transactional to transformational engagement.

Session 6: Panel Discussion - Org wide volunteering campaigns

Key Takeaways:

• Align volunteering programs with organizational goals and secure leadership buy-in.
• Establish clear goals to ensure meaningful impact. The program mentioned by a speaker adopted a goal-based model where business leaders integrated volunteering with business goals, ensuring contributions were impactful.
• Tailor engagement strategies to accommodate different demographics. For instance, younger employees might prefer team-building activities, while senior leaders may focus on initiatives that align with their expertise.
• Encourage a culture of volunteering by making it an integral part of the organization's ethos. Storytelling and recognition be used to motivate employees by sharing experiences and successes.
• Offer a range of volunteering options, from short-term to long-term commitments, allowing employees to choose activities that fit their schedules and interests.
• Measure success through impact and participant feedback to refine and improve future initiatives.
• Recognize volunteers for their contributions and provide incentives to motivate participation. The importance of recognition in sustaining volunteer engagement was discussed.

Other Takeaways:

• Power of Storytelling: Effective storytelling and communication are essential for raising awareness and garnering support for volunteering initiatives.
• Engaging Narratives: Authentic and compelling narratives can drive engagement and support from employees, customers, and the broader community. Sharing stories of impact helps in building emotional connections and inspiring action.

• Internal stakeholder alignment is very important and is achieved by involving HR, CSR, and other stakeholders/teams in volunteering programs.

• A champions network is built to promote and sustain volunteering initiatives, with champions leading successful volunteering events.

The Karma Summit by Goodera was a powerful reminder of the potential for businesses to drive meaningful change in society. By embracing purpose, engaging employees, measuring impact, fostering collaboration, innovating, and telling compelling stories, organizations can create a lasting positive impact. As we move forward, let us continue to prioritize social responsibility and work together to build a better world.

Thanks Team Goodera - Abhishek Humbad Gazal Raina Vijay krishna Rinaldo Lobo Salma Soren Shilpa Manhas Aishwarya Singh Adlakha Tanoo Vamshi Krishna Kendrick De Figueiredo Melo for a wonderful summit!

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on Volunteering in the comments below. Let's continue the conversation and inspire each other to make a difference!