NI CITIZENSHIP REPORT
Employee Philanthropy and Volunteerism
Volunteerism
Last year marked another record year for employee volunteerism at National Instruments corporate headquarters. More than 400 volunteers reported 11,617 hours of service to various nonprofit organizations, representing a nearly 14 percent increase in volunteer hours.
NI increases awareness of community needs through NIVolunteer.com, a website where employees can post and register for volunteer opportunities. The website also gives nonprofits the option to post opportunities for NI employees, a function that provides employees a greater variety and frequency of volunteering choices. Currently, NIVolunteer.com is available only to US employees, but NI is committed to expanding the website to at least five branch offices in 2011.
Spring Volunteer Campaign
In 2010, the third annual Spring Volunteer Campaign at NI corporate headquarters helped educate employees
about ways to connect with local nonprofit organizations.
During the three-week campaign, more than 48 volunteer opportunities were available to NI employees. The campaign attracted 241 NI volunteers who gave a total of more than 920 hours of service back to the community through multiple projects hosted by several area nonprofits.
NI employees participated in the following Spring Volunteer Campaign activities this year in Austin, Texas:
- Creating meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House
- Participating in a Habitat for Humanity deconstruction
- Sorting and distributing food for the Capital Area Food Bank
- Cleaning up creeks and other public spaces for Keep Austin Beautiful
NI Leaders in Service
The NI Leaders in Service program recognizes NI employees at corporate headquarters who volunteer more
than 55 hours of their time to the community during the year. NI Leaders in Service members receive a certificate
of appreciation signed by members of NI leadership and can participate in quarterly
networking events. In 2010, NI recognized 54 individuals as NI Leaders in Service, a 35 percent increase
from the previous year.
Community Relations Department Driver Team
One key to the tremendous success of NI employee engagement in the community
is the Community Relations Department Driver Team. This unique team includes volunteers
from each of the major departments at NI corporate headquarters who are responsible
for executing community engagement campaigns and strategy throughout the year. In
2010, 56 active department drivers inspired employees to engage in personal philanthropy
and volunteerism. Additionally, NI is committed to expanding the Community Relations
Department Driver Team initiative to the branch offices in 2011.
NI Employee Volunteer Efforts Around the World
Below is a sample of the many ways NI employees are volunteering their time to improve the communities in which they work and live:
| NI Office | Volunteer Activities |
|---|---|
| NI Canada | Employees participated in the 20-Minute Toronto Makeover, cleaning up trash in the local community, and delivered hot lunches to the homeless as part of the annual Pay It Forward initiative |
| NI Corporate Headquarters | More than 100 employees participated in the MS-150, a two-day bike ride from Houston to Austin, Texas, that raises money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
| NI France | 14 employees ran in a humanitarian race and raised more than $4,000 USD for a nonprofit organization that helps combat hunger in low-income countries |
| NI Germany | Two female software developers hosted eight high school girls at the Aachen office and gave them an introduction to engineering |
| NI Hungary | Employees volunteered for projects ranging from visiting refugees at a camp in Debrecen to teaching classes at local high schools and universities to give students insight into real-world business skills |
| NI India | Employees conducted computer training classes for an organization for the mentally challenged and organized events such as blood drives to raise money for charity |
| NI Japan | Employees adopted a street near their office, working one day a month to pick up trash from the street, and planted flowers in a community garden to help beautify their neighborhood |
| NI Korea | Employees volunteer once a month at a community for the disabled to cook and socialize with the residents |
| NI Mexico | Employees organized a toy drive to help bring smiles to low-income kids |
| NI Taiwan | Employees helped families and children in need with activities such as rebuilding two houses and escorting kids in protective care to a theme park |
| NI United Kingdom and Ireland | Employees took part in several events such as the 5K Relay for Life, Alps Cycling Challenge, London Marathon, Edinburgh Moon Walk, Reading Half Marathon, Children in Need, and The Newbury Santa Jog to raise awareness and money for charity |
CASE STUDY
Advocating for a Child’s Welfare
Maria Adame, NI regional marketing communications manager, was looking for volunteer work that gave her the opportunity to really make a difference. She discovered CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit organization that promotes and protects the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected. CASA is the only nonprofit organization with volunteers sworn in by a judge to make recommendations to the court on a child’s behalf.
After completing 30 hours of intensive training, Maria became a court appointed volunteer for CASA. She is responsible for monitoring each child’s educational, therapeutic, legal, and medical progress as well as their placement into new homes. She is often the only guiding presence involved from beginning to end during a child’s case. On average, Maria volunteers 20 hours a month to the service of one child or sibling group for a minimum of one year.
“Volunteering for CASA has been the most rewarding volunteer experience for me,” Maria says. “Every time CASA calls me about taking on a new case, I can’t say no! I know that there is a need, and CASA would not call unless they needed help advocating for a child in my community.”
EMPLOYEE PROFILE
Santiago Delgado
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