Giving Compass' Take:

• VolunteerMatch (via 3BL Media) discusses the topic of social sustainability and how driving more people to volunteer can help build it up.

• Are you able to give more time? How can you engage with your community in a positive way?

• If you're looking for some volunteer opportunities, check out our "connect" page.

Social sustainability is perhaps the least quantifiable and understood pillar of the triple bottom line, yet nearly everyone can relate to it. Why? Because it’s rooted in our needs and desires as humans. And because humans are widely considered the most valuable asset at a company, social sustainability can arguably be the most important “p” in the “people, planet, profit”-triad. While planet and profit are important, the intellectual capital held by your employees is priceless.

Social sustainability is broad, encompassing labor laws, human rights, workplace safety, employee health and wellness, and nuanced subjects like diversity and inclusion. It also includes actions that are outward facing, such as employee engagement, philanthropy, and community engagement. At its core, successful social sustainability practices have a positive impact on both the business operations of a company and the communities they serve. Creating a formal mechanism for employees to volunteer can address both, resulting in a win-win for all involved.

Social sustainability is perhaps the least quantifiable and understood pillar of the triple bottom line, yet nearly everyone can relate to it. Why? Because it’s rooted in our needs and desires as humans.

Beneath the surface, every domain of sustainability can be considered social, because humans have a unique relationship with both the planet (environment) and profit (economy). Efforts that focus on the social aspect of sustainability are almost guaranteed to leave a positive impact on both planet and profit.

In an era where connectedness is crucial to success, companies need to recognize that they’re a part of a larger ecosystem. There are links and interactions that exist between a company and all the elements it impacts economically, environmentally, and socially. Socially, success can be driven by both the employees and community members.

Read the full article about driving social sustainability through volunteerism by Jerome Tennille by Volunteer Match, via 3BL Media.