Employee Engagement Tips
7 Fun & Effective Tips to Boost Employee Engagement in Volunteering Events
Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s also a fantastic way to bring employees together, create a sense of purpose, and have a positive impact on your community. If you’re looking to encourage more participation in your company’s volunteering events, you’ve come to the right place!
Here are 6 easy tips to promote your Visit.org experiences and get your team excited to participate:
Tip #1: Get Leadership Involved – Let’s Lead by Example!
When your company’s leadership team participates in volunteering events, it sets a positive, enthusiastic tone for everyone else. Ask your executives to participate an event they feel passionate about, and invite them to do a quick one-minute welcome at the start of the activity.
Be sure to highlight the “Hosted by [Executive Name]” in your event promotions so employees see that leadership is actively involved.
Tip #2: Highlight the Real-World Impact – Make It Meaningful!
Volunteering isn’t just another meeting on the calendar—it’s a chance for your team to make a real difference! Remind your employees that their time and skills are directly supporting a nonprofit or cause that could really use their help.
When promoting the experience, take a moment to share the story of the community they’ll be helping. By giving them a glimpse of the people or cause they’ll be supporting, you’ll inspire empathy and excitement before the event even begins.
Tip #3: Set Fun, Achievable Goals – Everyone Loves a Challenge!
People love a good goal, so why not set some fun participation targets? Share your company’s goals at an all-hands meeting and encourage some friendly competition between departments. Want to really get them excited? Offer a little celebration or reward for the team with the highest participation rate!
Tip #4: Empower Your Ambassadors – Let Them Shine!
Your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Culture Clubs, and HR teams can be your best allies in promoting volunteering events. Pick a few enthusiastic “ambassadors” from these groups to help spread the word and encourage participation.
Tip #5: Celebrate & Recognize Volunteers – Make It a Party!
People love to be appreciated, so be sure to celebrate and recognize your top participants! Whether it’s a shout-out at your next meeting, a social media post, or a little gift card to say “thank you,” these small gestures go a long way in making employees feel valued.
You could even nominate a “Volunteer of the Month” or give a special shout-out to a department that showed exceptional participation. It doesn’t hurt to throw in a little company swag or fun incentives to keep things lighthearted and engaging!
Tip #6: Create Urgency with Engaging Subject Lines 🎉
Want to get your team to sign up quickly? Try using subject lines that create a little sense of urgency! Here are some examples:
- “(Limited Seating!)”
- “Save Your Spot!”
- “Don’t Miss Out!”
- “Only a Few Spots Left!”
- “Hurry, There’s Limited Seating!”
Also, depending on your company’s culture, consider adding emojis 💙🌟🎊 to your subject lines or calendar invites. This can help make your event feel more fun and engaging—encouraging employees to connect not just with colleagues, but also with the community!
Tip #7: Keep the Buzz Going – Consistent Reminders!
Promotion is key! Make sure your employees hear about the volunteering events more than once. Send reminders through emails, newsletters, Slack channels, or intranet posts to keep the event top of mind.
You can schedule an initial invitation, a reminder one week before, and a final “Don’t Miss Out” email just a few days before the event. And remember, if you need any help with promoting your event, reach out! Your Customersucess@visit.org team can provide support you with some materials.
With these seven easy, fun, and effective tips, you’ll have your employees signing up for volunteering events in no time! So, get creative, have fun with the process, and remember to celebrate every win, big or small!
Happy volunteering! 🌟