Develop a New Weekend Habit with iVolunteer Philippines

Have you ever dreamed of doing volunteer works but don’t know where to go or what to do? I suggest you visit iVolunteer.com.ph.

The iVolunteer Philippines website is made by volunteers. It is a portal containing information about various institutions in the Philippines that need volunteers – in other words, organizations that need you!

Once in the website, all you have to do is to browse among various volunteering opportunities posted in the site, click on the advocacy and activity you like, and register. That's it! You can volunteer by yourself or in groups. The important thing is you should come once you register.

Here are some of the things you will like about iVolunteer Philippines: 

1. Updated list. Every week iVolunteer updates their page with new requests and schedules for volunteers for different institutions. Available slots remaining are also updated real-time so you know if help is still needed or you should go wait for another time.
2. The orgs in the portal are legit.
3. You can join for as many times as you like. At the same time you are not obliged to join all the time unless you pledge directly with your chosen institution.
4. No money is necessarily involved except for your own transportation and or food expenses and when extra funds are requested like sponsoring a child to an educational field trip, etc.
5. They recently held a Volunteer Expo! I went to this event held in Glorietta, Makati and saw the volunteers were serious with their work but they were all having fun!

What are you waiting for? Start your volunteering journey now that it is Araw ng Kagitingan! With them, you will have more options and worthwhile activities every weekend. :)

I would not miss having a photo with Jenny, one of the officers of iVolunteer Philippines.
I met her two years ago at the Dream Expo MNL.

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Related reads... 

How Busy People Are Finding Time to Care

Social Enterprise: Negosyong Makalipunan (English Translation)

How Busy People Are Finding Time to Care

PRESS RELEASE

The trick is to make it a part of your busy-ness.
By night, DJs Sunny Bonner and PJ Paradise of the Las Vegas-based duo WeRWolvz are making clubs come alive with their powerful music. But once in a while, they find themselves in Manila not just to energize the local club scene but also to help children by volunteering their time and talents. The current editor-in-chief of Good Vibes PH, Kai Magsanoc, established her own start-up to spread positive news amidst today’s sea of dismal messages. Brian Bantugan, an educator, artist, and nature builder, is in the best position to spread progressive ideas and concepts among his numerous students in St. Paul University. EJ Miranda, Red Bull marketing executive, shared his time and musical abilities to teach children how to play the piano. While independent music and visual artist Amiya Velayo, who sings for and about children, expressed the importance of sharing her own time and that of her future child to help these underprivileged children.

They are some of the people who spent an entire morning with Virlanie Foundation’s young beneficiaries on June 20, 2015 in Makati City, Philippines. They are busy, highly-creative, jet-setting individuals who are finding time to care for others by making helping not just a one-time activity, but a part of their hectic lifestyle. They have realized that a strong culture of caring is worth more than fame or money.

Virlanie Foundation, Inc. wishes to thank friends who supported the event: Paris Delice, Wasabi Warriors, Taters, Good Vibes PH, Glaiza of www.moomymusings.com, Shalene of www.purplepieces.com, Lani of www.kamikazeegirl.com, and Red Bull Philippines.

Supporting Virlanie’s #HelpOurBabies campaign
Last June 1, Virlanie launched a fundraising drive to raise support for its Babies and Toddlers Home, the residence for its child beneficiaries aged 0-5 years old. As part of the Foundation’s strategy, Virlanie organized an open-house activity for bloggers, members of the media, and artists. The 3-hour event was made memorable with musical performances from the artists and Virlanie’s very own French volunteers. The guests also picked books to read to the young listeners. And right before meal time, they spent some time outdoors playing with the children.

Virlanie Foundation continues its call for support for #HelpOurBabies. This campaign will run until June 30, 2015 as it aims to gather more financial donations to help the Foundation continue its work with the babies and toddlers. All donations will go towards providing the children with three square meals a day, milk and snacks, healthcare, clothing, shelter and other basic needs. For details on how you can help, please visit www.virlanie.org/HelpOurBabies
Virlanie invites everyone to strengthen our culture of caring, not only to raise money for its own programs, but to influence more people to make helping a part of their lifestyle.

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For more information, please get in touch with:
Ime Morales, Head of Communication
info@virlanie.org / 895-3460

Social Enterprise: Negosyong Makalipunan (English Translation)

(Note: This is an English Translation of my article on Social Entrepreneurship which I posted here last January 29, 2014. I have done this for the benefit of you non-Filipino speakers around the globe who might chance upon this blog!)

Here is my first article about social entrepreneurship. Although we often  hear the term "social entrepreneurship," many of us still find its meaning quite vague or confusing. Even I myself who wants to be a social entrepreneur am still confused over its meaning as well. Sometimes I ask myself if I could already consider myself as a social entrepreneur since I purposefully make my products in my online business to be inspirational for young people. So I thought it best to study first the concept of social entrepreneurship and here I am sharing to you what I have learned so far.

Social Entrepreneurship: Definition

Social entrepreneurship is a way of establishing and operating an organization by using business approaches and principles but with the main objective of creating a positive change or providing solutions to the problems of a community, often with regard to its on the social, cultural, and environmental aspects. This concept can be used by philanthropists, social advocates, co-operatives, charities, and any other organization or individual with activities that aim to uplift a community. However, there is often confusion over  its definition especially with regard to the question on whether a social enterprise should be for profit or non-profit. Still, most people who are active in this work might agree with this description: If the main measure of a regular entrepreneur to find out if his business is successful is how much he earned or how great his profit is, the social entrepreneur (the founder or manager of the social enterprise) is concerned over how many or how much his enterprise was able to help. (Social Enterprise Canada)

Cherrie Atilano is the president of social enterprise Agricool, "a movement which dreams to build the lifestyle of healthy food consumption while creating agricultural opportunities in the Philippines." - See more at: http://gk1world.com/from-eco-warrior-to-eco-entrepreneur#sthash.0wmDRiVp.dpuf

Social Enterprise: Definition

Social entrepreneurship can be used in a non-profit organization because it involves the use of business  principles and strategies to solve social problems. Now “social enterprise” in itself is the very organization that is established using the strategies of social entrepreneurship to address social or global issues but this time, profitability is an important mechanism to achieve these goals. The social enterprise, thus, through its income generating business or trade activities should be able to provide good social impact in his community.

Differences between Non-profit Organization and Social Enterprise

A non-profit organization (NPO) aims to provide service to a community that has specific needs or to support an advocacy or groups who are working on  projects that will create favorable impact on society. The funds of an NPO often comes from donations given by private organizations, individuals, and the government. In contrast to social enterprises, an NPO does not need to develop activities to earn or generate funds, but sometimes they may also conduct fundraising projects and similar methods to raise additional funds for their operation or to create public awareness about their cause. Nevertheless, the main goal of a non-profit organization will always be to espouse  its advocacy. Members of NPOs may receive salary but many non-profit organizers or supporters are volunteers. However, although social enterprises are often likened to NPOs, social enterprises must have the capacity to earn. It should be self-sustaining in order to carry out its purposes. A social enterprise can also be established by an NPO, however its  operation must be separate from the NPO itself because a large part of its operations is related to activities concerning the financial aspects of the business. The NPO-run social enterprise cannot simply involve itself in charity works or advocacy campaigns unless the aim of such activities will serve as marketing activities resulting in more revenue for the social enterprise. Any private individual can also establish a social enterprise. He can be a sole proprietor who has a clear advocacy or has placed a socially relevant facet in his  business. He may also encourage his neighbors or the members of his community to put up a social enterprise or, form a cooperative, a known type of social enterprise. Therefore,  it can be deduced that a social enterprise is a mix of  profit and non-profit since the enterprise is established for profit, but the earnings are allocated not to increase the wealth of the organizers but to give support to the people in a community, service to those in need, or positive change in people or even the whole world.

Social Enterprise: Self-sufficient

A social enterprise may also receive donations just like NPOs. However, it is important for it to be able to stand on its own feet or be "self-sustaining" because its operation requires continuous funds in order to serve its selected community or advocacy. It is usual for social enterprises to employ workers from the community they serve. One of the main objectives of most social enterprises is to provide good and regular pay to their employees (who are members of the community that they serve) thus social enterprises cannot rely on donations alone. It is the priority of social enterprises to reinvest its earnings to the organization. The social entrepreneur earns only in accordance with  his/her role in the organization, similar to  how the workers’ wages are computed. Sometimes though, a social entrepreneur works for the enterprise pro bono because her only aim in working for a social enterprise is to help others and support a  cause (and that the social entrepreneur may in fact have another job or sources of income).  Social enterprises also welcome volunteers and participation from non-profit organizations and the government to ensure that they can properly serve the community they selected. But clearly social enterprises cannot rely on donations or grants.  A social enterprise should be a revenue-generating business.

Answer to My Personal Question

I believe that I am  not yet a social entrepreneur  although my goal in building an online business seems to include solving a particular social need. I have come to this conclusion because I have not yet found a concrete community that will benefit from my business. But this does not mean that my business is not good, only that today my business is still in an area of entrepreneurship that is different from social enterprise. Nonetheless, I would like to believe that my business is anchored on doing good and has a corporate social responsibility (CSR). (Later I will discuss what CSR is.) On the other hand, I have realized and thus would also like to emphasize that, in my opinion, not everyone should aspire to establish a social enterprise to become a good entrepreneur. It is already a great help to society when businesses provide employment for its people while engaging in trade with sound principles, noble intention, and fair practices.

Social Enterprise: Negosyong Makalipunan

Narito ang una kong artikulo tungkol sa social entrepreneurship. Kalimitan na nating naririnig ang salitang social entrepreneurship ngunit nakalilito pa rin ang kahulugan nito. Ako mismo na gusto maging isang social entrepreneur ay nalilito pa. Minsan tinatanong ko ang aking sarili kung matatawag na ba akong isang social entrepreneur dahil sa layunin kong maging inspirasyonal para sa mga kabataan ang mga ginagawa kong produkto sa aking online business. Kaya minabuti kong aralin muna ang konsepto ng social entrepreneurship at heto na nga at inihahain ko rin sa inyo ang aking natutuhan. Filipino ang ginamit kong wika para sa artikulong ito para mas maunawaan nating lahat.

Social Entrepreneurship: Depinisyon

Ang social entrepreneurship ay isang paraan ng pagtatayo at pamamalakad ng isang organisasyon sa pamamagitan ng mga pamamaraang pang-negosyo subalit may pangunahing layunin na makapagdulot ng mabuting pagbabago o mabigyang solusyong ang mga suliranin sa isang komunikad, kalimitan sa aspektong panlipunan, pang-kultura, at pang-kalikasan. Ang konseptong ito ay maaaring gamitin ng mga pilantropo, mga taong may adbokasiya, mga kooperatiba, mga kawanggawa at ano pa mang mga aktibidad na nagpapalawig ng isang gawaing makabubuti para sa isang komunidad.Subalit kalimitang nagkakaroon ng pagkakalito sa depinisyon ng isang social enterprise, lalo na sa usaping kung dapat bang ang isang social enterprise ay for profit o non-profit. Gayunman, karamihan sa mga aktibo sa ganitong gawain ay sumasangayon sa paglalarawang ito: Kung ang pangunahing tanong ng isang regular na entrepreneur (negosyante) upang malaman kung matagumpay ang kanyang negosyo ay kung magkano at malaki ba ang kaniyang kinita, ang sa social entrepreneur (nagtatag o nagpapatakbo ng negosyong makalipunan) naman ay gaano karami ang kaniyang natulungan. (Social Enterprise Canada)

 Cherrie Atilano is the president of social enterprise Agricool, "a movement which dreams to build the lifestyle of  healthy food consumption while creating agricultural opportunities in the Philippines." - See more at: http://gk1world.com/from-eco-warrior-to-eco-entrepreneur#sthash.0wmDRiVp.dpuf 

Social Enterprise: Depinisyon

Ang social entrepreneurship ay maaaring gamitin sa isang non-profit organization sapagkat ito ay ang paggamit ng mga prinsipyo at estratehiyang pang-negosyo upang maresolba ang ilang mga suliraning panlipunan. Ngunit ang social enterprise ay ang mismong organisasyon na itinatag gamit ang mga estratehiya sa social entrepreneurship upang matugunan ang mga isyung panlipunan o maging global kung saan mahalaga ang magkaroon ng kakayahang kumita sa sariling pamamaraan upang makamit ang mga layunin. Ang social enterprise, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga business o trade activities ay dapat na magbigay ng mabuting social impact sa kanyang komunidad.

Pagkakaiba ng Non-profit Organization sa Social Enterprise

Ang isang non-profit organization ay may layuning bigyang serbisyo ang isang komunidad na may pangangailangan o bigyang suporta ang isang grupo o adbokasiyang may mainam na maidudulot sa lipunan. Kalimitang nanggagaling ang pondo ng isang non-profit organization mula sa mga donasyong bigay ng mga pribadong organisasyon, indibiduwal, at gobyerno. Taliwas sa social enterprises, hindi rin layunin ng isang non-profit organization na gumawa ng mga aktibidad para kumita at magkaroon ng pondo, subalit minsan ay nagsasagawa rin sila ng mga fundraising at iba pang pamamaraan na makalikom ng pondo para sa kanilang organisasyon. Laging ang pangunahing layunin ng isang non-profit organization ay palawigin ang adbokasiya nito. Maaaring tumanggap ng suweldo ngunit kalimitang boluntaryo ang mga miyembro ng non-profit organizations.Samantala, dahil sa layunin ng isang social enterprise na makatulong sa isang lipunan, kalimitan itong naihahantulad sa isang non-profit organization. Subalit ang social enterprise ay may mas mataas na pangangailangan na magkaroon ng kapasidad na kumita. Dapat itong maging self-sufficient upang maisakatuparan ang mga layunin nito. Maaari rin naman itong itatag ng non-profit organization subalit hiwalay ang pamamalakad dito sapagkat malaking bahagi ng pagpapatakbo nito ay may kinalaman sa mga gawaing may kinalaman sa pinansiyal na aspekto ng negosyo. Hindi maaaring haluan ito ng mga kampanya o kawanggawa maliban kung malinaw na direkta itong makakapagdulot ng direktang kita para sa social enterprise. Maaari ring itatag o umpisahan ng isang pribadong tao ang isang social enterprise. Isa siyang sole proprietor ngunit malinaw ang adbokasiya o social relevance ng kanyang negosyo. Maaari ring himukin ng pribadong taong ito ang kanyang mga kapuwa at kasamahan sa komunidad na sila ay magtulong-tulong para sa isang negosyong makalipunan, kahantulad ng isang kooperatiba na isang kilalang klase ng social enterprise.Sa isang banda, masasabing ang social enterprise ay mix ng for profit at non-profit dahil itinatag ito para kumita (for profit) ngunit ang kinita nito ay ilalaan hindi para sa ikayayaman ng organizers kundi para magbigay ng kabuhayan sa mga tao sa isang komunidad, serbisyo sa mga nais paglingkuran, o mabuting pagbabago sa sambayanan o maging sa buong sanlibutan.

Social Enterprise: Self-sufficient

Maaari ring tumanggap ang social enterprise ng donasyon gaya ng mga non-profit na organisasyon, subalit mahalagang dapat makatayo sa sariling mga paa o maging “self-sustaining” ang social enterprise pagdating sa aspektong pinansyal sapagkat ang operasyon nito ay nangangailangan ng tuloy-tuloy na pondo upang walang patid na mapaglingkuran ang napiling komunidad or adbokasiya. Karaniwan sa mga social enterprise ang kumuha ng mga tauhan o manggagawa mula mismo sa komunidad na pinagsisilbihan nito. Isa sa mga pangunahing layunin ng social enterprise ang mabigyan ng magandang pasuweldo ang kanilang mga tauhan kaya hindi maaaring umasa ang social enterprises sa donasyon lamang.Prayoridad ng rin social enterprise na ibalik sa organisasyon ang mga kinita nito. Ang mga social enterpreneur ay kumikita lamang nang naaayon sa kanyang papel sa pamamalakad ng organisasyon tulad ng mga manggagawa rito. Kung minsan pa nga ay libre lamang ang serbisyo ng isang social entrepreneur sapagkat ang tanging motibo nya lamang ay makatulong sa kapuwa at sa adhikain (at maaaring ang social entrepreneur na ito ay may iba namang hanapbuhay o pinagkakakitaan). Tumatanggap rin ang social enterprise ng mga boluntaryo at partisipasyon mula sa mga non-profit organization at gobyerno upang masigurong mapaglilingkuran nila ng maayos ang napiling komunidad. Ngunit malinaw na hindi maaaring dumepende ang isang social enterprise sa donasyon. Dapat itong maging kumikitang negosyo.

Sagot sa Aking Pansariling Tanong

Sa aking palagay ay hindi pa ako isang ganap na social entrepreneur bagama't maganda naman sa palagay ko ang aking layunin sa pagtatayo ng online business na aking napili. Narating ko ang kongklusyong ito sapagkat wala pa naman akong kongkretong komunidad na napag-aalayan ng serbisyo o benepisyo sa pamamagitan ng aking negosyo. Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito na ang aking negosyo ay hindi mabuti. Iba lamang ang mundong ginagalawan ng aking negosyo sa ngayon kung ikukumpara sa mga social enterprise. Ngunit maaari kong sabihin na ang aking negosyo ay inspirasyonal at mayroong corporate social responsibility (CSR). (Sa susunod ay tatalakayin ko naman kung ano ang CSR na ito.) Sa iba pang kagaya ko na nais ring maging negosyante, sa palagay ko ay hindi naman lahat ay dapat naising makapagtayo ng isang social enterprise. Malaking tulong na sa lipunan ang isang negosyo na nakakapagbigay ng trabaho sa iba at nakikilahok sa kalakalan nang may prinsipyo, marangal, at patas na pamamaraan.

Mga Sanggunian:

Bromberger, A. R. 2007. Social Enterprise: A Lawyer’s Perspective. Retrieved from http://www.alissamickels.com/BrombergerSE.pdfConcept Paper for the ILS Research Industry Tours in Bulacan, Pangasinan and Baguio “Promoting Gender Equality Through Sustainable Social Entrepreneurship” Retrieved from http://ilsdole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012socialenterprise.pdfWalters, K. (2007). The rise of the social entrepreneur. Retrieved from http://startups.co.uk/the-rise-of-the-social-entrepreneur/What is social entrepreneurship. The New Heroes. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2014  from http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/whatis/Copyrhttp://www.socialenterprisecanada.ca/learn/nav/whatisasocialenterprise.htmlhttp://www.centreforsocialenterprise.com/what.html