As many of you already know, at Volies we have been part of the Points of Light network for many years, being one of the first partners outside the United States.
We are passionate about networking -in fact, we lead our own Voluntare– and we increasingly value the learning and well-being that comes from sharing knowledge with people who do the same work as you, who pursue the same purpose, understand your challenges and dream the same dreams as you: to empower people to help others, build a more just world, and move towards a society of all, with all and for all.
The experience began with the network gathering on June 2 and 3. A meeting reserved only for Points of Light partner organizations, allowing us to get to know each other better and to share experiences and work on common challenges.
The first day was a warm and informal welcome, perfect to break the ice between participants from India, Brazil, Italy, Korea and small rural communities in the USA.
The second day allowed us to deepen those connections through honest dialogues about common challenges and opportunities for global collaboration.
Many of our partnerships at Volies have been born precisely in conversations like these: a cup of coffee in between, a jazz band in the background, and a shared energy that transcends languages and borders.
More than 1,200 participants
Beginning on June 3, plenaries set the emotional and strategic tone of the event.
Urgent issues such as racial justice, health equity and disaster resilience were addressed.
How current systems perpetuate historical inequities, and the urgent need to move from reactive responses to preventive strategies, were discussed with rawness but also with hope.
Frameworks for action were shared to promote systemic change, from the local to the global. One of the most powerful moments came from a UPS driver, known as “Big Brown”, who recounted how he and his colleagues are “the eyes and ears” of the community. Thanks to their proximity to the neighborhoods, they are able to detect real and urgent needs and create tailor-made solutions: from offering swimming lessons after several cases of drowned children, to installing air conditioners in homes where the heat forces families to live in unhealthy conditions.
Also in emergency situations, their knowledge of the territory allows them to access isolated areas when GPS is no longer useful, becoming real bridges of help.
Equally inspiring were the dozens of community projects presented by their own protagonists, and the methodologies and lessons learned that were not only shared, but also built collectively through participatory and dynamic sessions.
Ways of designing skills-based volunteer programs were explored, where each person’s professional experience is connected to the real needs of his or her community.
It also addressed how to engage older people in a meaningful way, recognizing and valuing their experience, their time and their motivations.
Many sessions focused on the role of companies. They discussed how corporate volunteering can transcend one-off actions to become a cross-cutting strategy: capable of motivating teams, strengthening organizational culture and generating a genuine social impact.
It was also discussed how to attract new generations, especially young people who seek authenticity and reject symbolic volunteering.
In short, this conference not only offered tools, frameworks and models. It offered something even more valuable: community, belonging and inspiration.
Because when 1,200 people come together in more than 70 sessions for a common purpose, it ignites a network of hope that connects neighborhoods, cities and countries. A network that will undoubtedly continue to grow long after the stage lights have gone out.
