Meeting Planners Look to Volunteering

May 26, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Tourism and Social/Environmental Issues, Meeting Planning, Travel and Volunteering 

This is the first post from Elise Rollinson, Xola’s new Director of Corporate Volunteer Programs

Last week I attended an educational conference for members of San Diego Meeting Professionals International.  It was great to talk with attendees and observe such interest from corporate groups to bring community service projects and volunteerism into their meetings and incentive programs.  It’s clear to me that the increased focus on Corporate Social Responsibility combined with the many new outlets for group volunteering, puts meeting planners in a position to truly get creative, offering innovative programs while making a positive contribution in the destinations they visit.

Remarkably, even during a time when the tourism industry is seeing cutbacks in corporate travel and meetings, we see an increase in volunteer interest and giving programs. Why?  I think because the benefits to communities and companies have become undeniable.

Benefits to Communities & Environment
Depending on the choice of service project, communities can benefit from the volunteers’ contribution to construction projects or in supporting environmental projects in planting or cleanup.  Some projects involve volunteers working directly with local people in groups, facilitating cultural exchange and learning.

Among organizations and tour operators working regularly with blended volunteer/tourism projects it is important to recognize that “effective practices” are emerging. Meeting planners new to the concept of volunteering should take care to define the volunteer activity and make sure that the activity is meeting a community need.  Some basic questions you might ask yourself:

•    Is there a local partner with a continued presence in the community?
•    Is the project something the local community wants?
•    Is the project something that the locals can maintain?
•    Will maintenance cost money?
•    Can the project be completed in the allotted time-frame?
•    What is the cost to the group and the community?

Planning these projects takes experience, local knowledge and attention to cultural and environmental concerns.

Benefits to Companies
There’s no doubt that group volunteer projects are a natural and positive teambuilding activity.  A group of people out in the local community; learning, helping and growing personally, while at the same time showing support, commitment and goodwill in the community is a powerful thing.

There is also a great opportunity to offer education to your staff within the volunteer experience.  The overall success of a project is greatly enhanced with a learning element.  For a volunteer to truly understand the value or their action and take something away from the experience an educational element should be incorporated.  Whether a brief cross cultural orientation or a summary of the environmental impact of a project…this is what people will remember.  Education is what can lead to a life changing experience for a volunteer.

It seems the meeting industry is ready to look at group volunteer projects more closely and introduce the valuable concept to their clients and meeting groups.  I’m encouraged to see so many meeting planning professionals ready to become an integral part of the power of volunteerism and looking forward to supporting these projects with the rest of the Xola team.

Elise Rollinson
Director, Corporate Volunteer Programs
Xola Consulting

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