Corporates can show their hearts through volunteering

14 February 2008 | Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering, Linda Burney

Minister for Volunteering, Linda Burney, will meet today with staff and management of Microsoft Australia to launch their national employee engagement program.

Ms Burney said she hoped corporate volunteering would grow to become one of the most important avenues of volunteer recruitment for charities and community organisations.

"The partnership between business, the not-for-profit sector and government must be encouraged because of the benefits to be gained by all three," Ms Burney said.

"This is the first time I have had the privilege of playing a role in a corporate employee
volunteering program. There are many large and small businesses that support their staff in their volunteering initiatives."

These cover a wide range of activities from volunteering for formal organisations, to keeping countless small sporting, environmental and other community groups operating, or working quietly helping people in their communities.

Mr John Galligan, Director of Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Australia, is responsible for setting up the Employee Engagement Program as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.

"Microsoft Australia believes the corporate sector can play a significant role in fostering and encouraging Australians to volunteer," Mr Galligan said.

"To this end, we have put in place initiatives and incentives, like paid volunteer leave,
workplace giving and software donations, to support and encourage our staff to share their skills, energy and passion to assist Australians in need."

The new program to promote employee volunteering targets the 750 Microsoft Australia staff.

At the launch they will have the chance to talk to the 60 employee ambassadors about their involvement in the program and to visit information kiosks of 10 of their partner charities.

"I also want to commend the charities here today for their willingness to work with Microsoft for the common good," Ms Burney said.

"I hope the volunteer work you do to help the people and places around you will become an important and ongoing part of your lives.

"In 2006, there were 1.4 million volunteers in NSW. They generously gave 235 million volunteer work hours. This equates to an enormous $5 billion contribution to the NSW economy."

Media contacts

Linda Burney
Phyllis Sakinofsky
T: 9228 4455
M: 0406 164 034

Microsoft Australia
Ben Tan
M: 0418 488 827