Association Headquarters values the contribution volunteers make to the association industry. We emphasize this with our leadership, employees, and partners and work diligently with volunteer organizations to ensure we leverage our resources in an effort to support these invaluable causes. National Volunteer Week is a celebration of the millions of dedicated individuals who support the association and non-profit industries each and every day. Worldwide, there are approximately 970 million people who volunteer their time to a cause or organization that they believe in. With recent world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian/Russian War, volunteers are needed now more than ever — whether it be service on the front lines rescuing and transporting refugees, or working behind the scenes in logistics for food and medical supply deliveries, volunteers make the time to improve the lives of others. Product safety, nursing advocacy, and advancing immunogenic research are just a few of the important causes driven by associations that need volunteers.
Every non-profit organization is dedicated to advancing a mission and typically utilizes volunteers in some capacity to successfully implement that mission. Without volunteers, associations worldwide wouldn’t be able to function and complete the important work they are charged with. According to Non-Profit Source, volunteer work is valued at $24.14 per hour, collectively bringing in $193 billion dollars of value to communities annually in the United State. For example, AH client partner the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) is a nationwide, non-profit professional organization made up of members whose mission is dedicated to educating, communicating, and advocating for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurses professionally, personally, and legislatively.
AH emphasizes volunteerism and community contribution as part of our culture; recognizing employees for volunteering, and contributing to both local and worldwide organizations is an important part of our history. Our Social Responsibility Committee establishes several volunteer opportunities per year - providing employees an opportunity to dedicate time to advance a cause of their choice. For example, AH hosts an annual flu shot drive-thru, where employees, family, and friends can receive a flu shot in a safe and friendly environment. In addition to this, there are yearly fundraisers for local organizations, like MANNA, an organization dedicated to improving the mental health of people with serious illnesses through nutrition. In a more recent effort, AH partnered with UNICEF to collect donations to support the children of Ukraine, including those still in the country and those who have fled to Poland, Romania, Moldova, and other neighboring countries. In the words of Albert Schweitzer, “Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in a world all of your own.”
April 18, 2022
