Creating Impact with a Small Group

by Shimoli Reddy

Introduction

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference in the community, foster connections, and promote values such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Coordinating a volunteering event with a small group requires careful planning and collaboration, and finding an organization that aligns with your DEIB values is crucial for a meaningful impact. This blog outlines the selection process for how our planning team went about organizing our 2025 Day of Service volunteering event with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

The Selection Process

Here are the steps we took as an organization to plan our Day of Service event.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Before beginning the selection process, it is important to define the goals of your volunteering event. Consider the following questions:

• What impact do you want to achieve?
• Which community or cause are you passionate about?
• How can your skills and resources best contribute to this cause?

Clearly defined goals will help guide your decisions and ensure your event is focused and effective.

For BPM, 2025 Day of Service was a new endeavor for the company as a whole. While many of us individually contributed to our communities, we had not yet done a volunteering event as a team. Our goals are to impact our community in a positive way, whether it be helping those in need, animal shelters, or our environment. As a team, our passion for supporting our clients reflects into our passion for supporting our community.

Step 2: Assemble Your Planning Team

Gather a small group of like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm for volunteering and DEIB values. Having a dedicated team will make the planning process smoother and more enjoyable. Discuss the roles and responsibilities each member will take on, such as logistics, communication, and coordination.

Our planning team was a diverse group of individuals, all with a passion for giving back to their communities. While many of the BPM Team work remotely, we all had great ideas coming into our kick-off meeting several weeks ago. Not only are we focused on this year’s event, we also have ideas and plans for future Days of Service as well.

Each team member took on a few tasks from designing and ordering t-shirts to contacting potential organizations. There were many tasks in such a short time and the team has done a great job communicating the plan in different stages throughout the process.

Step 3: Research Potential Organizations

Next, research organizations that align with your values and objectives. Look for organizations that prioritize similar values in their mission and operations. Some resources you can use for finding volunteer organizations:

• Local community centers and nonprofits
• Online directories and volunteer platforms
• Social media and networking events

Make a list of potential organizations and gather information about their programs, volunteer needs, and impact.

The BPM Planning Team started this step by brainstorming types of volunteer work we wanted to potentially perform for this first annual Day of Service. There were suggestions of planting trees or flowers for community gardens and trails, as well as suggestions for helping clean out cages at animal shelters, and, of course, performing service to those in need.

With a few team members local to the Indianapolis area, where our Day of Service is planned, we came up with a great list of organizations that we wanted to approach to share our time. Since our event is planned for mid-June, many places were not looking for volunteers, however, we were happy to find a great opportunity with our date and time constraints for our group with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Step 4: Evaluate Alignment with DEIB Values

Evaluate the organizations on your list to determine how well they align with your DEIB values. Consider the following criteria:

• Commitment to diversity and representation in their staff and volunteers
• Inclusive policies and practices that promote equity
• Programs that address systemic issues and support marginalized communities
• An organization that does not conflict with our values and ideals

Organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to DEIB will provide a more enriching and impactful volunteer experience.

Before committing to having our 2025 Day of Service with Gleaners, we confirmed that Gleaners values mirrored our own. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is dedicated to alleviating hunger by providing food assistance to individuals and families in need. Their initiatives include food distribution programs, community partnerships, and nutrition education to address food insecurity. Gleaners is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by ensuring fair access to resources for all community members, fostering a diverse workforce, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Their goals are to end hunger in Indiana, empower communities, and advocate for systemic changes to achieve food justice.

This statement along with endless reviews and positive feedback from other volunteers gave us the confidence to volunteer with the Gleaners organization.

Conclusion

Coordinating a volunteering event with a small group and finding an organization that shares your DEIB values is a rewarding and impactful endeavor. This experience is a first for me from a planning perspective, and I have had a great time working with the planning team. Seeing their passion has been reassuring and following their leads has been a learning experience.

Following the selection process and focusing on goals such as promoting diversity, fostering equity, promoting inclusion, belonging and supporting systemic change, your volunteering event can make a meaningful difference.