In a post on the "Realizing Your Worth" blog, Alyson Genovese distinguishes between transformational and transactional employee volunteer programs (EVP) (discussed in my dissertation under the construct "motive"). In the latter, employee volunteers perform a transaction to give the business good press, a photo opportunity, or improved reputation. The former types of volunteer programs are the ones that, Genovese argues, can really make a difference for both the volunteers and the non-profits. These are the programs that both utilize, and enhance employees' skills--or, I would suggest, offer employees the opportunity to invest in a nonprofit whose mission speaks to them.
Since EVP are more prevalent as corporations' CSR budgets diminish, the issue of motive is one firms must address.
I couldn't agree more. Understanding what motivates your employees will enable you to meet them at their highest level of contribution. The trick is, these motivations change over time, as volunteers come to understand the role they are playing in the community. So a good EVP will continue to offer the right kind of space (activities, participation) that meets their employees where they are.
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