1. Can I get credit for volunteering outside of the BandwidthCares Charity List?
Yes you can! It has to be a legitimate organization working to improve the human condition. We do reserve the right to say a charity doesn’t qualify. So, it’s better to ask first. Ideally you will fill out the Charity Recommendation Form and have your charity added to our list. Volunteering with a charity on the list automatically qualifies for earning extra PTO.
2. If I have volunteered prior to BandwidthCares, does this count towards my PTO?
We always want to hear about your experiences prior to BandwidthCares but in regards to earning PTO, the volunteer hours need to be reported no later than the 15th day of the month after you volunteered.
3. How do I report my volunteer time to get PTO credit?
You simply need to send an email to bwcares@bandwidth.com In the email include the below:
- Charity Organization
- Dates and Hours Worked (please list each separately)
- Location
- Event/Opportunity
- Charity Representative
- Description of Experience
Your earned PTO time will be credited in ½ day increments. You will be able to view the addition to your account no later than the last payroll cycle in the following month after you report the time. (e.g. if on 11/12 you report volunteering for 16 hours then your PTO account will reflect .5 days earned no later than 12/31)
4. How do I request a charity be added to the BandwidthCares Charity List?
Complete the Charity Recommendation Form and send it via email bwcares@bandwidth.com.
5. I volunteered without getting my charity approved. Can my hours still be credited?
Yes, report your time through the regular process, and we will review your request and confirm if it qualifies. Ideally you will fill out the Charity Recommendation Form and have your charity added to our list. Volunteering with a charity on the list automatically qualifies for earning extra PTO.
6. I would like to volunteer, but none of the approved charities interest me. Since I haven’t volunteered before, where do I start?
Talk to Mary-Kate Fish, she can help you brainstorm how you would like to give back to your community, help match your interests with opportunities, and find something that works with your schedule.
7. What if I have an idea for a Bandwidth Mission or Fundraiser?
That’s great! Simply bwcares@bandwidth.coml or call Mary-Kate Fish and give her your idea. She’ll help you make sure it fits the program and then launch it and get others involved.
8. Why are Missions worth 4 times as much as regular Volunteering opportunities?
Missions are not tracked in PTO*. Missions are Bandwidth.com group efforts during the work-day that serve a dual purpose. First, they are projects that meet a need in our city. Secondly, they are interdepartmental team-building opportunities that add to our corporate culture. Because of this dual purpose, Bandwidth.com gives you up to two days a year where you can serve your community through a Mission instead of sitting at your desk.
In the event that an exceptional mission opportunity comes up on a weekend, we may award employees with additional PTO time.
9. Do Missions always have to be full day activities?
Preferably. Since Missions are time away from work, they will be conducted either in a whole or a half-day basis.
10. What is an employee coordinator?
Ultimately BandwidthCares should be an organization guided, informed and ultimately driven by employees who want to find and develop their interests and concerns for their community. To that end we would like to have at least one employee act as a coordinator for each Mission or Fundraiser event and to also have coordinators who regularly volunteer at charities and can serve as a resource for others who are interested.
11. How can I be an employee coordinator?
Simply ask. Call Mary-Kate Fish or send her an email bwcares@bandwidth.com and give her your idea.
