Corporate citizenship refers to the way a company interacts with its community. A good corporate citizen considers their impact on society and the environment. They work with their community to achieve a greater quality of living for all members of that community. By giving back to the community financially, donating volunteer hours, providing a safe and healthy working environment for employees, exhibiting environmental awareness and basing company decisions not solely on the financial gain for the company but by making ethical business decisions with the goal of benefiting all of the company's shareholders, both within and outside of the company, a company can achieve a good corporate citizenship rating.

A growing concern over corporate citizenship has recently swept over Corporate America. Businesses across the country, ranging in size from large corporations to medium-sized and small businesses, have recently reported a positive correlation between good corporate citizenship and the company's "bottom line". More American consumers are choosing to purchase products from socially responsible companies. This shift in consumer buying behavior has captured the attention of American businesses and has forced them to comply with consumers' wishes.

According to a study conducted by the Points of Light Foundation in 1999, 81% of companies surveyed said they connect volunteering to their overall business strategies, compared with only 31% who did so in 1992. Of the companies surveyed, 97% agreed that volunteer programs improve employee teamwork and 100% agreed that volunteering helps to create healthier communities and improves a company's "public image." (1999).

Due to the rapid increase in necessity and support for corporate volunteering, many corporations have established employee volunteer programs. Such programs provide employees with information about volunteer opportunities within the community, create partnerships with community groups or nonprofits, and organize fundraisers for local charities. Corporate volunteerism has reached a level of importance that has led to the development of Corporate Volunteerism Councils, or CVC's. Corporate Volunteerism Councils work to promote workplace volunteerism. They are comprised of and run by a collaboration of local corporations and businesses. The Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Twin Cities is comprised of companies such as Wells Fargo, General Mills, Toro Co., Piper Jaffray, Carlson Companies, Medtronic, Inc, and The Star Tribune.

The Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Twin Cities asserts that nearly 75 CVC's exist across the country with an estimated 2,000+ businesses in affiliation with the CVC network. (2005). This trend towards good corporate citizenship and the establishment of employee volunteer programs can prove to be a very useful tool for volunteer administrators of nonprofit organizations. Local business can provide both financial support and volunteers on a large scale to your organization.

As reported in the CVC-TC June newsletter, nearly 17,000 Wells Fargo Minnesota team members reported an astounding 222,461 of volunteer hours in 2003. (2005). Wells Fargo of Minnesota is one of 35 CVC-TC members. Only five CVC-TC corporate members employ less than 1,000 employees meaning the remaining 30 members employ thousands of individuals. Local corporations such as 3M, TCF National Bank, Target Corp. and UPS are providing employee volunteers in large numbers.

Not only do corporations provide current employees as volunteers, but many also have retiree volunteer programs. For example, General Mills, a Minneapolis based company has ran a volunteer program called "The Generators" since 1984. I spoke with a Betty Ann Gardner, program director for "The Generators" and she explained that over 300 active retirees are a part of the program. They stay active year round by working with many organizations all across the metro area.

Groups like "The Generators" can be of assistance to your organization. Retired volunteers are an excellent addition to any volunteer program since they have much more time to give than working individuals. A survey conducted by Norwich Union, an international insurance company, found that in the 65-74-year-old age bracket, 34% chose to go back to work, with an additional 22% considering doing so. When asked why they decided to return to work, reasons cited included a desire for human interaction, keeping active, and giving something back to the community. Only 4% return to work because they need the money. (2002). I anticipate that these numbers will only continue to grow since members of the "baby boom" generation reaching retirement.

An interview with a retired volunteer only confirmed the previous results. I spoke with Joann, a retiree from General Mills. She currently volunteers for three nonprofit organizations within the Twin Cities area. Joann claims that she has always wanted to do volunteer work, but never had the time to do so while she was working and raising a family. Now that her children are grown and she has retired from her job at General Mills, Joann applies many of the skills she used throughout her career to her volunteering projects. Her duties have included fundraising, event planning, accounting and financial work. Like many retired individuals, volunteering has become a large part of her life. Joann considers volunteering as a great way to meet people and socialize and claims that she has met most of her current friends through volunteering projects that she has been involved in. According to Joann, volunteering completes her soul. It has taken priority in her life and has filled the void that was once occupied by her family and career.

The effects of a growing trend among American consumers and businesses have trickled down to the non profit world and are making an immense impact on volunteer programs. The benefits experienced by society due to the transitions made by Corporate America are immeasurable. As a volunteer coordinator, it would be of great benefit to your organization to seize the opportunities provided by local businesses. Corporate volunteers can provide a constant stream of support for your organization, which will provide assurance that your volunteer program will remain a success.

Corporate Volunteer Programs- A Strategic Resource: The Link Grows Stronger, from Points of Light Foundation, with the Allstate Foundation (Washington, D.C.: Points of Light Foundation, 1999).

Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Twin Cities. (2005).

Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Twin Cities. (2005, June). CVC-TC Center Stage-Wells Fargo [Electronic Version]. CVC-TC Newsletter, Vol. VII, Issue 3.

Norwich Union (202, December 23). Online transactions [Msg. 8] Message posted to http://charityvillage.com/cv/archive/anew/anew02/anew0212.html