BENGALURU (India CSR): The Summit for Employee Volunteering and Action (SEVA 2024), organized by SoulAce, has set a benchmark for how corporate volunteering can drive social change and strengthen organizational culture. Held on December 12, 2024, at the Hilton Embassy Golf Links in Bengaluru, the summit brought together CSR, HR, and sustainability leaders to discuss the role of volunteering in creating purpose-driven organizations and engaging socially conscious employees.
With engaging panel discussions, expert insights, and interactive activities, SEVA 2024 aimed to redefine employee volunteering as a critical component of corporate strategy.
1. The Importance of Employee Volunteering
“Employee volunteering is more than giving back—it creates a ripple effect of positive change,” said Adarsh Kataruka, Managing Director of SoulAce, during his presentation on the State of Employee Volunteering in India. “To truly make an impact, organizations need to design long-term, sustainable volunteering programs that become part of their core culture.”
SEVA 2024 emphasized the need for flexible volunteering models, including virtual, hybrid, and in-person initiatives. These models cater to a workforce that values purpose and impact alongside career growth.
2. Emerging Trends in Volunteering
The first panel discussion, titled “The Future of Employee Volunteering,” explored evolving trends. Panelists discussed the rising demand for virtual and hybrid opportunities and how technology is enabling these shifts.
The panel featured notable leaders, including:
- Sakina Baker, Head – CSR, Bosch Limited
- Kishore Thangavelu, CSR Lead, Microsoft
- Sumit Chauhan, Head – CSR, Mphasis
- Surendran M, Manager – ESG & CSR, CGI
Moderated by Aishik Saha, Co-founder of Avagam Ventures, the session shed light on innovative ways to align volunteering with organizational goals.
3. Building Sustainable Volunteering Programs
A second session focused on actionable strategies for creating impactful volunteering initiatives. Panelists shared best practices for using technology and measuring impact effectively.
Speakers included:
- Aby Babu, CSR Specialist, Qualcomm
- Nirbhay Lumde, Senior VP – ESG, Prestige Estate Projects
- Smita Sharma, Global Program Manager – CSR, UST
- Smitha Sreenivas, Head – CSR, Quess Corp
Kataruka moderated this session, emphasizing the importance of aligning programs with both employee and community needs.
4. Interactive Breakout Sessions
Participants engaged in breakout sessions to explore both virtual and physical volunteering models. Attendees discussed impactful online initiatives, case studies, and high-impact, on-site programs.
One hands-on activity involved preparing sandwiches for underserved communities, while another group created teaching-learning materials for schools. These activities demonstrated the potential for practical, scalable volunteering efforts within corporate settings.
“With SEVA 2024, we’ve built a platform that inspires action and shows the power of businesses to drive social change,” Kataruka noted. “The overwhelming response proves that companies are ready to integrate volunteering into their core strategies.”
5. SoulAce: Driving CSR Excellence
SoulAce, India’s leading CSR consulting firm, has supported over 3,000 CSR projects across 28 states and 200+ districts. Over the past 15 years, the organization has worked with top corporates like Tata Sons, IBM, and Hindustan Unilever, delivering impactful CSR and ESG solutions.
Through SEVA, SoulAce continues to innovate, offering platforms for CSR impact assessment, fund audits, and employee volunteering programs. This summit marks a new chapter in leveraging corporate potential for community development.
“When businesses and employees work together, they create meaningful change,” Kataruka concluded. “SEVA 2024 is just the beginning of that journey.”
(India CSR)
