The School Volunteer Program

The School Volunteer Program Inc (SVP) offers business and government sectors the opportunity to become involved in the community by engaging employees as mentors, for one hour a week at a local school. SVP provides an established program which promotes effective engagement with students in the local community.

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer partnerships allow companies to direct their employees to mutually beneficial projects in the community. Volunteer community involvement, particularly interaction with young people in our local schools, is a valuable training ground, for employees to acquire additional skills in leadership, teambuilding and communication. This has a corresponding advantage in strengthening the corporate culture.

BENEFITS

The return on investment is a positive one. Benefits are numerous and can be attributed to the primary areas of human resource development, productivity, and social responsibility, awareness and acceptance.
This is in addition to the commercial incentives through positive public exposure, plus gaining a more fulfilled workforce.
Companies may also derive benefits from the ongoing motivation and support of our program. These may include:

• improved community perception and marketing potential, through contact and positive image;
• the creation of a culture of caring and community service, by promoting how the company cares about the future of our young people;
• improved communications as people from different sites, departments and organisations work together on social community initiatives;
• improved relations with customers who are increasingly demanding information about companies’ corporate-citizenship activities;
• greater networking which helps bridge the gap between the company and the community;
• improved staff morale and motivation, generating greater employee fulfilment.

BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

Communities will benefit beyond the successful implementation and completion of our program. Some of the benefits that can be gained, which help to link community and business, include:

• new talent and energy interacting in the community;
• a fresh perspective of company operations and company community involvement;
• a low-cost solution to addressing community problems and needs;
• direct targeting of specific community needs;
• more open and inclusive involvement;
• building trust and reciprocity amongst stakeholders;
• improving community health and development;
• working together to improve the future of our young people.

BENEFITS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES

Corporate Volunteers have the opportunity to enhance team building and leadership skills whilst engaged in mentoring. Employees may increase their self-worth and gain a greater awareness of community activity and how to interact with young WA students.
Skills gained and changes that may occur are:

• Interpersonal Skills – caring, empathy, and negotiating;
• Communication Skills – active listening;
• increased social contact, awareness and interest;
• organisation and time management,
• personal fulfilment and job enrichment;
• increased sense of community and social obligation;
• affirmation of personal capability and increase in self-worth.

Mentoring can embrace specific topics such as career planning, workplace skills, curriculum subject assistance, life skills, or can be more general. Mentoring can be effectively linked with state and national programs, particularly in early intervention and prevention program development. Mentoring programs are finally being recognised as valuable community resources and are becoming highly visible, with tangible results which can, in turn, encourage further volunteering involvement.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM

Successful implementation requires a bi-partisan approach. It is important that employees understand how the intended volunteer program aligns with the corporate culture. This contributes to the successful implementation and running of the program.
It is necessary for the CEO/management to share the responsibility of implementation and demonstrate support of mentoring. Basic Steps:

• determine employee interest;
• publicise the company’s involvement;
• reward and recognise participants; and
• work within the guidelines established by SVP and the WA Department of Education and Training.

MENTORS

Anybody can be a successful mentor, as no formal academic qualifications are required. This is not a teaching program and volunteers are not asked to perform the functions of teachers’ aides. The most important skills volunteers require are patience, empathy and some life experience. Mentoring offers everyone the opportunity to contribute to the local community and to make a difference to the life of a young person.

TIER MEMBERSHIP

Tier 1

20 + employee volunteers
Sponsorship Package of $20,000+

Tier 2

10 – 20 employee volunteers
Sponsorship Package of $10,000+

Tier 3

<10 employee volunteers
Sponsorship Package of <$10,000

BECOME A CORPORATE ALLIANCE PROGRAM PARTNER

To become a Corporate Alliance Program Partner click here to find out more information.

BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR

If your company or organisation wishes to help us make a difference to a young person’s life by making a donation in the form of sponsorship please click here.