Frequently Asked Questions
BJC Employee Community Volunteerism Website
About Volunteering
Why should I volunteer through the BJC employee community volunteerism website?
Because everyone deserves extraordinary care. This website, created in partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, provides helpful resources for you and your colleagues to find opportunities to volunteer together or as individuals and make an even greater difference within our community. Service helps to strengthen our sense of belonging and connection to others, reinforcing the idea that we are all in this together. Plus, volunteering can provide you with a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction, helps develop personal skills and increases your social health and well-being.
How does volunteering benefit the community?
Donating your time as a volunteer supports under-resourced organizations in delivering their services to those who need them most, therefore improving the lives of individuals within the community. Your service to and in support of local organizations helps us build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures. These connections break down barriers and create a sense of community and belonging. Volunteering also shows communities our commitment to the collective impact and improvement of our region beyond the walls of our health care institutions.
How does volunteering benefit BJC and our caregivers?
BJC is committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve; this includes activating and engaging our caregivers to take part in service opportunities. Volunteering drives collaboration and inclusion and broadens employees’ horizons as they work with people from different backgrounds and sectors. It can increase our team members’ sense of belonging in the communities we serve, while also improving recruitment and retention of team members who value and appreciate working in a socially responsible organization.
Volunteer Opportunities
Which community volunteer opportunities are available?
The BJC volunteer site includes a variety of ways to support those in need across our region. All of the events listed in the “BJC Volunteer Opportunities” section serve our local communities with a special focus on financial health and well-being, diabetes and healthy food access, infant and maternal health, and school health and wellness.
Additional ways to volunteer across the BJC service area can be found on the site under the header “Regional Volunteer Opportunities.” You can also click the blue button at the bottom of the site to access all volunteer opportunities available through the United Way Volunteer Center.
Will there be volunteer opportunities available with our BJC Connections groups and the St. Louis Blues?
Yes! The BJC volunteer website will be updated regularly with new ways for our BJC Connections group members to serve our communities. Please check back in early 2024 for opportunities to volunteer with our BJC Connections groups and through BJC’s partnership with the St. Louis Blues. If you are interested in joining a Connections group, please visit bjc.org/about/connections.
I would like to suggest volunteer events. Who can I contact?
Please send your suggestions for events or partner organizations to community_volunteer@bjc.org and a team member will follow up with you.
Registering to Volunteer
Who is eligible to volunteer for opportunities listed on the website?
Volunteering opportunities will be available equally to all team members and their families and friends.
Is my personal information required to sign up on the BJC volunteer website?
In order to volunteer, you will need to create a volunteer account with United Way, which requires your date of birth, phone number and BJC credentials. No other personal information will be collected. When you have successfully created a volunteer account, you may log in and use the "My Account" tab to manage your personal information and volunteer registrations.
My department is doing a volunteer event as a team-building activity. Can I use this website to look for opportunities?
Absolutely! Volunteering builds collaboration, creativity, communication and the ability to organize as a team. It also cultivates cross-organization camaraderie, and departments experience a sense of pride and accomplishment from working together as a team. If your department wants assistance in securing and planning volunteer opportunities that focus on BJC’s Community Health Improvement areas of emphasis, which include financial health and well-being, diabetes and healthy food access, infant and maternal health, and school health and wellness, contact community_volunteer@bjc.org. BJC and the United Way will work collaboratively with trusted agency partners to secure impactful in-person opportunities for your team, including managing communication and logistics.
Do I have to volunteer for one of the opportunities listed on this website or can I volunteer on my own?
Employees may volunteer or support an activity not listed on the BJC volunteer website. Partner/volunteer organizations listed on the website will include charities, nonprofit organizations and educational establishments. You may seek any other opportunities that interest you on the United Way Volunteer Center’s website at STLVolunteer.org.
Volunteering Logistics
Will I get paid to volunteer during work hours?
BJC’s partnership with the United Way provides the opportunity for teams to volunteer together through planned opportunities, which may occur during work hours. Please check with your supervisor for any upcoming service opportunities and whether the use of PTO will be required. If you choose to volunteer individually during work hours, you will be required to use PTO (approved in advance by your supervisor).
Will I get paid if I choose to volunteer on my day off?
If you voluntarily participate in a service event outside of your regular work hours, you will not be paid by BJC, even if the event is a BJC-affiliated volunteer opportunity.
Can I track my volunteer hours?
Yes, one of the helpful features of the BJC volunteer site is the ability to track your volunteer hours. For example, if you need to track your volunteer hours for professional associations and you take part in a BJC-sponsored service event listed on the BJC volunteer website, you can track your volunteer hours by logging in to STLVolunteer.org and selecting “Account Overview” from the navigation, which provides a snapshot of all of your volunteer activities.
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please send your questions to community_volunteer@bjc.org and a team member will follow up with you.
