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Description of International Corporate Volunteering Activities
IBM On Demand Community is a strategic global initiative designed specifically to support sustained corporate philanthrophy and volunteering. On Demand Community provides online tools and resources for IBM employee and retiree volunteers throughout the globe. These resources include presentations, planning documents and templates, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) content, interactive games and experiments, software, and the opportunity for IBM volunteers to award IBM technology and cash grants. At year end 2007, over 50,000 registrants at the site were from outside North America (nearly half of all 106,000 site registrants).
Additionally, in July 2008, one hundred highly skilled IBM employees will begin six week community service projects designed to advance economic growth and development efforts in six emerging countries. This IBM Corporate Service Corps pilot effort matches IBM leadership development efforts with specific needs in underserved global communities. IBM Corporate Service Corps was launched in 2007 as part of IBM's Global Citizen Portfolio.
International Voluntary Service Activities
We offer international volunteer projects for the globally-minded individual searching for a unique travel experience. A Broader View is a non-profit international volunteer organization offering short and long term volunteer programs in developing countries around the World. Our volunteer abroad projects are available year round in Central America, South America, Asia and Africa in 13 countries, 34 locations and 130 programs. Our projects range from 1 week to 6 month placements. Volunteer opportunities include orphanage assistance, teaching English, medical and dental missions, HIV/Aids awareness campaigns, woman's issues, animal welfare, environmental and animal conservation and community development constructions programs.
Our projected estimate for 2008 is 120 volunteers traveling overseas with us. We anticipate sending 150-200 volunteers abroad each year. As our volunteer locations grow, so too will our project options. Since we tailor each project for our volunteers, a lot of and effort goes into each individual program. Our focus is more about quality projects, rather than mass numbers.
Geographic Regions
On Demand Community registrants reside and work in over 69 countries worldwide. By year end 2007, over 106,000 IBM employees and retirees were registered at On Demand Community. They reside in countries throughout the world as follows: a) 25% located in Asia Pacific b) 18% from countries in Europe, Middle East, and Asia c) 4% located in Latin America and 53% located in North America. Geographies with the highest level of participating employees include: Peru 63%, Vietnam 51%, Uruguay 46%, Hong Kong 44%, Portugal 38%, Colombia 36%, Thailand 39%, China and Indonesia 33%.
In 2008, the IBM Corporate Service Corps projects will focus on economic development efforts targeting small and medium enterprises in Romania, Turkey, Ghana, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Health & Prosperity Focus Sectors
IBM's primary focus areas include primary and secondary education, the use of information technology as a tool to bridge the digital divide and address societal issues, and economic growth and development. Volunteer opportunities are posted at On Demand Community in order to help IBMers locate local needs. IBM volunteers select what, where, and when they choose to participate.
Volunteer Success Stories
At least three successful IBM volunteers are featured monthly at the On Demand Community site. IBM volunteers typically share their professional expertise, often in on-going engagements within their local communities. Since November 2003, well over 6 million volunteer hours have been logged at the On Demand Community site. Recent volunteer efforts featured at the site include:
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An IBM team of local Linux experts in Brazil volunteer their time to install open source software and donated IBM Accessibility Works software on donated computers bound for a local not-for-profit organization. The result not only saves money, it also will also give users who may have difficulties using a computer due to visual or motor impairments the opportunity to learn technical skills.
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A team of seven IBM volunteers visits IBM KidSmart model schools in rural Hyderabad, India monthly to teach and mentor students. They volunteer in rural schools as part of a KidSmart Early Learning program, working with a local not-for-profit organization (and IBM community partner) committed to transforming the quality of life among the rural underprivileged in India. This "Model Schools" program strives to ensure easy access to high quality education for underprivileged rural children in 141 adopted villages.
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In her position on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit dedicated to developing support for financing and training facilities for the 'chronically unemployed' in Ireland, this IBM executive is putting her executive skills to work as a volunteer and helping thousands find new jobs in technology fields.
Resources
Volunteering for Impact: Best Practices in International Corporate Volunteering
IBM Corporate Social Responsibility Report