San Diego CA— St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) has been certified as a Service Enterprise, which recognizes the organization for fundamentally leveraging volunteers and their skills to successfully deliver on its social mission, by Points of Light, a nonprofit organization that recognizes each individual’s and organization’s personal power to transform themselves and the world around them.
Research conducted by the TCC Group, a national program and evaluation firm, found that organizations operating as Service Enterprises outperform peer organizations on all aspects of organizational effectiveness, and are more adaptable, sustainable and capable of scaling their work.
Points of Light recognizes that millions of people give their time, talent, voice and resources to help strengthen communities around the world. It believes individuals, community groups, corporations and the government play key roles in addressing the critical issues of our time – from the future of our economy, to education, the environment and emergency preparedness.
According to Debra Emerson, Chief Executive Officer of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, the organization completed an extensive assessment, over 20 hours of training and consulting and extensive internal planning and change to better integrate volunteers into the center’s operations.
“By achieving this level of excellence and certification,” said Emerson, “SMSC is now better equipped to leverage the time and talent of volunteers and better meet our mission. With an extensive volunteer screening process and training plan that mimics that of staff now in place, our volunteers are expressing a higher level of commitment. They are staying longer and volunteering more of their time. Additionally, event volunteers are helping with multiple events because of how they are utilized.”