Reenvisioning corporate support for voluntary action in the

Re-envisioning corporate support for voluntary action in the SADC region Sabine Strassburg 1

Conceptual Framework The Opportunity We Are Addressing Contextual Issues What We Want to Accomplish Approaches How We Will Achieve Results Benefits and Barriers Why We Get Involved Conclusions Thought and Questions 2

Conceptual Framework Understanding arguments for CSR… • • • Moral Reputation Obligation Sustainability License to operate Business 3 Community Interdependence Dynamic where companies and communities share common values and are mutually responsible Business Community • Business thrives in stable communities and growing markets • SADC context: concept of Ubuntu

Conceptual Framework The Opportunity We Are Addressing Contextual Issues What We Want to Accomplish Approaches How We Will Achieve Results Benefits and Barriers Why We Get Involved Conclusions Thought and Questions 4

Contextual Issues 5 • CSOs operate under difficult circumstances, providing services in poor communities, but demonstrate resilience and innovation • Often corporate support for volunteering is designed to fill gaps in service delivery • Companies can do more to raise the profile of voluntary action and affirm its value • Coordinated corporate action can increase impact • Joint planning between companies and beneficiaries can help reduce power imbalances and dependency

Conceptual Framework The Opportunity We Are Addressing Contextual Issues What We Want to Accomplish Approaches How We Will Achieve Results Benefits and Barriers Why We Get Involved Conclusions Thought and Questions 6

Approaches to Corporate Support for Volunteer Action I II Corporate Partnerships/Alliances Community Business Partnerships Public Private Partnerships and Business Associations Employee Volunteer Programmes (EVP) Employee Community Involvement (ECI) III Donations Other Approaches IV 7

Corporate Partnerships / Alliances Community Business Partnerships I Rally to Read (South Africa) Food Bank (various SADC countries) Unilever Tea Tanzania (Tanzania) Indigenous Trees for Life (South Africa) Public Private Partnerships and Business Associations Pan African Business Coalition on HIV Business Action for Africa • Positively influence policies needed for growth and poverty reduction • Promote a more balanced view of Africa • Develop and showcase good business practice

Employee Volunteer Programmes Time II Full-time vs. part-time Working hours vs. outside working hours Once off versus long-term Money Paid versus un-paid Type of Activity

Employee Volunteer Programmes • • • Matching employee with community job Released time / time banks Volunteering outside working hours Loaned personal Development assignments Secondment Trustees and Board Membership Mentoring (Local) once off event Targeted programme Charity of the year International corporate volunteering First. Rand Volunteers Programme • • Community building across all division Range of activities Deloitte Foundation South Africa • e. g. Project Siyakhula - trainee accountants to assist learner and teachers Standard Bank • Over 700 Wellness Champions in 17 African countries Accenture Voluntary Service Overseas • Collaboration with VSO

Donations Financial contributions Tiger Brands and Unite Against Hunger III Give-as-you-earn scheme and matched giving Helping Hands Programme from Deloitte Contributions in-kind Connectivity for a university for disadvantaged students in South Africa: CIDA City Campus & Internet Solutions Pro-bono assistance Free legal support for a CSO: Bowman & Gilfillin and Cell-Life

Other Approaches Media IV Media promotion of social development initiatives: Kaelo Stories of Hope Volunteer Awards Recognition of business contributions to the MDGs: Business in the Community Annual International Award for Excellence sponsored by Coffey International 12

Conceptual Framework The Opportunity We Are Addressing Contextual Issues What We Want to Accomplish Approaches How We Will Achieve Results Benefits and Barriers Why We Get Involved Conclusions Thought and Questions 13

Benefits COMPANY EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY Community & customers Skills gain Needs • Improved community perceptions • Positive image • Networking opportunities • Improved communication • Reporting • Organisational & time management • People’s skills • Targeting of community needs • Improving community health and development Operational Attitudinal changes Other Benefits • Employee fulfillment • Lower staff turnover / attracts good employees • Productivity increase • Skills and ability increase • Reduced absenteeism • Personal and professional growth • Increased social contact, awareness • Personal fulfillment / job satisfaction • Affirmation of personal capabilities • Social cohesion • Innovative response to difficulties • New talent & energy in the community • New resources • Fresh perspective • Social cohesion • Trust

Barriers COMPANY EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY • • Lack of discretionary time • Opportunities only available during working hours • Lack of information • Wouldn’t consider it unless asked • Individuals might resist volunteering on their own • Feeling that one person can’t make a difference • Voluntary action is not valued • Not aware of benefits • Lack of transport • Security and safety issues • Language barriers • Lack of resources and infrastructure • Negative experiences • Sustainability • Lack of trust • Not aware of benefits • • • It is easier to make financial donations Lack of resources and infrastructure Lack of information and lack of internal communication Lack of time Lack of support from top management Staff members might be treated differently because of their volunteer engagement or lack thereof Lack of enabling legislative environment and policy frameworks supporting volunteerism

Conceptual Framework The Opportunity We Are Addressing Contextual Issues What We Want to Accomplish Approaches How We Will Achieve Results Benefits and Barriers Why We Get Involved Conclusions Thought and Questions 16

Conclusions • A lot of opportunities for companies to support volunteer action in the SADC region BUT we still have a long way to go (awareness, infrastructure, enabling legal environment etc. ) • Lack of substantial research on corporate support for volunteering undermines the development of good practice and policy Questions: Ø Is corporate support for volunteering just a marketing tool? Ø Is employee volunteering really volunteering? Ø Is corporate support for volunteering only for big businesses? Ø How can companies identify priority areas? Ø Are communities ready for volunteers?