Special Report | Investing in the Future October 2010

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Keeping an eye on the future: 2010 judges' panel
Beacon of regional tolerance in Yeoville: Winner -- Chairperson's Award: Yeoville Community School.
Changing lives, one woman at a time: Special Commendation -- Drivers of Change Civil Society Award: The Rural Women's Movement.
African vision rewarded: Winner -- Government category: Sindiso Ngwenya.
Helping pupils help themselves: Winner - Drivers of Change Civil Society category: Ikamva Youth.
People get a meaningful voice: Finalist -- Drivers of Change Civil Society category: The Foundation for Civil Society in Tanzania.
The change we need: Reflections on the 2010 Drivers of Change awards.
Scoring a winning goal: Winner -- Chief Executive's Award: Metropolitan Soccer Development Programme.
Driver for change is an inspiration: Finalist -- Individual Award: Dorothy Ngoma.
The people's president: Finalist -- Government category: President Ian Khama.

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More than just a free Christmas lunch

The large number of entries for this year's M&G Investing in the Future Awards in the category of corporate employee community involvement reflects a phenomenal growth in volunteerism. This category rewards company programmes that assist employees to invest their time and/or money in social development. Discussion among the judges of Investing in the Future highlighted some of the reasons for the rise in formal company volunteer programmes.

"Employees want more out of companies than a nine-to-five job. "Volunteerism adds value and exposes staff to different realities which they would not normally experience," said Tracey Henry, the chief executive of Tshikululu Social Investments. Most of the entries in the category came from the financial sector.The judges put this down to the fact that banks are well placed to provide leadership in volunteerism. "It is clear from the entrants that volunteerism doesn't just 'happen'. The companies that have active, well-managed programmes, like FirstRand, have more effective volunteerism.

Leadership is key," said Glenda White, the director of Verge Management Services. If not managed properly, volunteerism can be a double-edged sword and a hindrance to NGOs and the communities being assisted, the judges pointed out. "Corporates use volunteerism as an 'incentive' for their staff and non-participants are 'judged' in one way or another in their workplace. "Some very good things come out of this initiative, but there is also a cost attached for the organisation being assisted if it's just a once-off project," said Shirley Moulder, a trustee of the Southern Africa Trust.

"Volunteering to hold a Christmas party sends shivers down the spines of institutions working with children, for instance. The children get high on a sugar overload and the staff have to deal with it when the volunteers go back home." Experts recommend "adopting" a beneficiary organisation for at least three years. In most instances this encourages greater understanding, proper consultation and a longerterm commitment to a programme.

Entries to the awards inspire this kind of discussion among the judging panel of experts because their programmes reflect the latest thinking and practice in corporate social investment and responsibility. Now in its 21st year, the Investing in the Future Awards were handed out at a banquet in Johannesburg on October 28. The Southern Africa Trust's prestigious Drivers of Change awards were also celebrated at the event. Readers will find details of all the winners and finalists in the pages of this dedicated supplement to the Mail & Guardian.

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More than just a free Christmas lunch