The Kinecta Volunteer Corps program was created to make it easy for Kinecta Federal Credit Union and its 1,100 employees to support nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations. We focus specifically on nonprofit organizations and events in localized areas where our constituents (members, employees and community residents) live, work and worship, and to which Kinecta team members have made a volunteer commitment through direct service, charitable contributions and fundraising.
The Volunteer Corps Matching Program matches credit union employee fundraising efforts for Volunteer Corps-approved events up to $2,500 per event (up to $50,000 annually).
The Volunteer Corps aligns with one of the Credit Union's 6 Core Values: "Passionate – We are driven to serve." Volunteer hours and fundraising make up a combined 25% of the Credit Union's overall 2016 organizational goals, up from 15% in 2015.
Employees submit requests to include non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status in the Volunteer Corps schedule in order to enlist volunteers and, if undertaking fundraising efforts, apply for matching funds. Nonprofits are also invited to request support from the Volunteer Corps at least 90 days prior to their event through our website, www.kinecta.org.
The beauty of this program is that it not only gives employees the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for these organizations but also demonstrates Kinecta's genuine commitment to enriching the lives of those around us by embodying the credit union industry motto of "People Helping People."
Strategy: Historically, Kinecta employees have eagerly supported community programs planned by the Credit Union. To leverage that passion, Kinecta introduced the Volunteer Corps, a program designed for employees to efficiently organize events, launch fundraising efforts and volunteer in areas that they care about. All employees are granted 8 hours annually of Volunteer Paid Time Off to encourage them to participate in approved volunteer events during working hours.
Implementation:
1) Pilot: Test phase requesting participants train on and utilize the Volunteer Portal (see description in Key Features).
2) Introduction to Employee base: Organization-wide messaging explaining Volunteer Corps; on-site and online demos to encourage new and existing staff to enroll.
3) Invitation to engage to Members: A Volunteer Corps page created on www.kinecta.org highlighting the program and inviting Credit Union members and the public to request Kinecta volunteers at their events.
4) Communications: Regular "Get Involved" eNewsletters and emails keep entire organization abreast of upcoming campaigns and events as well as results from past campaigns.
Key features:
1) Volunteer Portal: A custom-designed intranet-based platform where employees can:
* Enroll to join the Volunteer Corps
* Submit Event Requests
* View FAQs and Guidelines
* List events and view schedules of upcoming opportunities
* Sign up to volunteer at events
* Register as a Community Coordinator and Team Captain
* Log the number of volunteer hours performed
* View volunteer history and hours of service for the year
* Update profile information, including username/password, personal volunteer preferences, applicable skills
* Share photos and view gallery
2) Community Coordinators: Selected from each functional area of the organization. They serve a one-year term on the Kinecta Volunteer Corps Committee. Roles and responsibilities:
* Know and understand the Volunteer Corps Guidelines
* Attend bi-monthly Community Coordinators meetings:
* Assist in evaluating proposed Volunteer Corps events
* Report on activities in their area
* Contribute new ideas
* Proactively communicate Volunteer Corps events and opportunities
* Resources for Team Captains
* Inspire co-workers, friends and family to participate
3) Recognition program
*Recognition of Service: Volunteer hours accumulated over an employee's tenure are recognized at levels of 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 hours.
*Annual Recognition: The "Top 3" employees reporting the most volunteer hours within the previous year will receive special acknowledgement.
Employees of Kinecta and our subsidiaries who signed up to participate in the Volunteer Corps volunteered more than 7,100 volunteer hours, raised nearly $400,000 in donations, and participated in nearly 100 grassroots and Kinecta-driven community events in 2015 throughout California as well as at a satellite location in Chicago.
These results far exceeded 2015 organizational stretch goals of 4,800 volunteer hours and $100,000 in fundraising and matching funds.
Thanks to the Volunteer Portal we were able to successfully track and report on these hours and contributions, raising our brand profile in our target markets as well as showcasing to our organization, members, media and local communities Kinecta's dedication to supporting non-profits.
Just a few of the organizations in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas that directly benefited from Kinecta's Volunteer Corp include:
Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals
Special Olympics
Habitat for Humanity
Operation Gratitude
Bob Hope USO
Ronald McDonald House
American Red Cross
Second Harvest Food Bank
Autism Speaks
Working Wardrobes
Relay For Life
Karma Rescue
Friendship Foundation
Walk With Sally
Susan G. Komen Foundation
