On June 8th of 2019, the YMCA issued a worldwide volunteerism call in celebration of its 175th anniversary as an organization. It was founded in 1844 by George Williams in London, England. This is a particularly appropriate manner to commemorate a birthday as the YMCA started off as a volunteer-led movement.
Prior to the date, individuals were asked to sign up for worldwide volunteerism day through the company's website. They were able to pledge 175 minutes of their times to make a difference in their communities. The activation gained traction on social media with the #YMCA175 and the #YMCAChallenge tags.
The organization's worldwide volunteerism initiative gave individuals opportunities of gaining knowledge and participating in relevant issues through an inclusive and inter-generational model that brings together people in 120 countries around the globe.
Celebratory Volunteer Initiatives
The YMCA Celebrates Its 175th with a Worldwide Volunteerism Call
Trend Themes
1. Volunteerism Celebration - Organizations can leverage milestone anniversaries to initiate volunteerism campaigns that promote inclusivity and community engagement.
2. Global Volunteerism Activation - Activating worldwide participation through social sharing and community participation in anniversary events can strengthen brand value and encourage social responsibility.
3. Inter-generational Volunteerism Model - Implementing an inclusive, multi-generational approach to volunteerism can bring individuals from diverse backgrounds together and increase participation in community initiatives.
Industry Implications
1. Nonprofit Organizations - Nonprofit organizations and NGOs can leverage milestone anniversaries to initiate large-scale volunteerism campaigns that encourage community engagement and brand advocacy.
2. Retail - Retail companies can launch global volunteerism initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, increasing brand value and loyalty.
3. Education - Schools and universities can adopt inter-generational volunteerism models that promote community engagement and encourage students to become active citizens.