IICF Volunteer Week Kicks Off in October

Industry professionals looking for a unique way to donate their time and talents to a deserving charitable organization ought to consider getting involved with the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Volunteer Week. Starting Saturday, Oct. 15, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 22, Volunteer Week invites industry employees and family members to donate to nonprofits in their local communities across the state of California.

Companies participating in Volunteer Week recruit their own team of volunteers to work in four-hour blocks for a selected nonprofit organization. The program has generated more than 50,000 hours of volunteer service since it began eight years ago, and generated 10,000 volunteer hours last year alone.

Bill Ross, CEO of IICF said, “The nonprofits are overwhelmed and appreciative to have a talented group of people come together and help.”

Like monetary donations, volunteers lending helping hands are essential to charitable projects, and Volunteer Week is relevant to that effort.

It also has a very positive impact on the people who volunteer, Ross said. “It’s a popular program for employees who participate, and a wonderful team exercise in supporting a community, which helps them work better as a team when they’re back in the office.” Not to mention it’s a nice step away from the office. “It has a positive impact on employees’ moral. People walk away feeling they got a lot more out of it than they gave,” Ross added.

Bonnie Delehoy, vice president, development and partner relations at IICF added, “We’ve received very positive reactions from the employees that participate. Probably the most common request we get from them is for more projects to work on throughout the year. The IICF is looking into providing more opportunities to work on projects year round.”

According to Delehoy, the program also serves as a catalyst for developing new relationships. “A lot of times as a result of working Volunteer Week, insurance companies will maintain an ongoing relationship with the people they meet and continue to work with that nonprofit going forward.”

In addition to helping charities, the program helps put a face on the insurance industry. “When a nonprofit sees not only a check arrive, but people coming out and helping, it brings a human quality to the insurance industry. And what they find is [the industry] is made up of caring people who want to see their communities grow and prosper. It’s a nice way to get people to realize that insurance companies and their employees not only care, but are involved and making a difference,” Ross said.

Individuals who organize volunteer week events or step up to the plate to become a team leader of a volunteer group have a good opportunity to grow, refine and showcase leadership skills in a way that might not otherwise be possible.

“The insurance industry is a relationship business. It involves knowing and interacting with people while being conscious of the challenges of your community. Volunteer work is good for business. I think there is great development when you step outside of your day-to-day job and seize opportunities to use different skills and reinforce them,” Ross said.

For more information on Volunteer Week, visit www.iicf.org.