Volunteering: Isn't it great ?

Volunteering can be approached in non-profit world from multiple perspectives: should NGOs be dependent on it? Is it vital for the evolution of NGOs directly or indirectly? Is volunteering efficient? What are the main positive impacts of volunteering?

What is in it for the corporate sector? Does it make sense to use its resources in activities out of its core competencies and activities? is this trade off in efficiency counter balances by the increased motivations and work force cohesiveness and potential retention of talent. Hardly is this is enough to counter balance the costs of such initiatives. In my opinion I do believe that Corporations should not engage in such activities as for they represent a simple and direct waste of resources in non-welfare creating activities (given the opportunity cost). This however does not mean they should not exist. I think that if these types of activities are to exist than they better be integrated in a global strategic plan of action where the way to create the biggest possible social impact is formulated and where a specific plan of action is created (e.g., partnership between Randstad and VSO for example).

Nevertheless, lets not forget the role of government and other ruling bodies that should create the best conditions possible for Corporations to better perform/organize volunteering programs (e.g., tax benefits, subsidies, enforcement laws). This is especially important for the fact that Corporations management is there to serve the prime stakeholders of their organization the shareholders. Therefore the government has to create the conditions for objectives to be more aligned or to simply empower other stakeholders to have a "word to say" in management decisions.

I don't ignore the social outcome of individual participation in volunteering activities that impact the social cohesiveness of our society and the awareness of its members but nevertheless one may not consider that shareholders should be the ones to support the costs of this endeavour ! (unless its their will of course). As an individual I still have the will to, if I desire, to participate in volunteering activities outside of work in my free time.

In all, I truly believe and support the social upside of volunteering but I do think that the opportunity cost of this is often disregarded or downplayed.