Pertinent Perils

International Volunteer Day

Today is International Volunteer Day. Many non-profit organizations will host public events to promote their contributions to the community and to recruit new volunteers to join them. Local chapters of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, for example, will often take the opportunity afforded by International Volunteer Day to make their communities aware of the contributions that the Red Cross makes at local, national and international levels. It is a great way to show how individual community volunteers are contributing to a better world. Today, the Red Cross will also promote campaigns to attract more volunteers both for first aid training and for disaster risk reduction training (to identify key hazards and prepare for them). There are a number of ways that small businesses can participate in International Volunteer Day. Some may encourage their employees to volunteer, particularly for causes that align with the missions of their businesses. Others may give employees paid time off to volunteer. Still others may choose to sponsor events for local non-profit organizations such as, for example, providing food and beverage for the local volunteer events. There are many ways to contribute, even for small businesses with more limited resources.