Recently i read an article about the appointment of Maria S. Eitel, the current Nike executive (and previously the company’s first vice president of corporate responsibility), to be the US Corporation for National and Community Service.
The article is not really the main focus, but it reminds me of a business ethical issue that i have been pondering every time i volunteer for an event or an organization.
In my past volunteering experience, i volunteered in events such as Nike+ Human Race, Richmond Olympic Oval Opening, the upcoming Olympic Ozone in Richmond, first aid services etc. I definitely agree that recruiting volunteers to run an event, especially those with hundreds of participants, is a very economical and efficient method to use limited expense generating massive effects. Especially during the recent economic recession, volunteerism is starting to be widely recognized as a way for a company to involve the community while to promote its brand name (or even its social citizenship/responsibility). However, from what i recalled, i have never asked to fill out any insurance forms or any contracts about the organization’s responsibility to volunteer when accidents occur. Besides, in the Nike Race case, i was recruited by a public relations company that was hired by Nike. Hence, i always wonder what/who would protect volunteers who put their effort to work for the organization for ‘free’. Sometimes they asked for my SIN no., but does that mean that i am insurance-covered?
On the company’s point of view, other than having substantial reduction on expenses, there are risks to bear when recruiting volunteers as they are not obligated as much as employees do, and the company can only ‘shape’ their volunteers through short-term training sections. But still, the greatest beneficiary would be the company.
For further readings, below are two links that discuss the changes in today’s volunteer world.
Myths of Volunteer Risk Management , Transition Strategies for the Volunteer World .