CSR Team Building Activities bring people together quicker than trust falls. People have a tangible goal to achieve by working towards a common cause. Whether its through planting trees or sharing skills at a school, colleagues will be working together on a problem. By choosing an activity that fits with your CSR policy and ensuring you have groups of the right size everyone will have a role to play. Below outlines what a CSR Team Building Activity involves, examples of suitable activities and how to design one your employees will want to do again!
What is a CSR Team Building Activity?
This is an activity that gets a group of employees working together towards something good for society or the environment. They create a tangible outcome – this could be cleaning up a lake shore, restocking a school library or packing 100 ration packs.
In India, CSR spending is covered under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. Companies with certain thresholds (net worth, turnover and net profit) are required to spend 2% of their average net profit on activities outlined in Schedule VII. Check with your CSR committee if an employee activity counts as CSR. If employees are volunteering their time it might not count.
Why CSR Team Building Activities Work
Working towards a common cause helps break down barriers between colleagues. By working together on a task (e.g. making classroom benches) on a Saturday, people will feel less hierarchical. Everyone has a role to play so colleagues from different departments will rely on each other.
The payoff shows up in several places:
- Building relationships with colleagues from different departments over a common task
- Pride in the company doing good for the community to increase retention
- Managers can see how people delegate, communicate and manage pressure in a low risk environment.
Examples Of Good CSR Team Building Activities
Depending on your group size and budget you could try:
- Tree planting and maintenance: Groups of 8-10 plant saplings and look after them for a year. Monthly check ins are required. This is a real cause for green spaces in NCR.
- Kit packing race: Teams race to pack hygiene, stationery or ration packs. These are then sent to a partner NGO.
- Skills sharing at a school or NGO: Employees spend 2 hours teaching verbal English, spreadsheets or basic financial management. Agree a lesson plan with the host.
- Upcycling: Old uniforms, packaging and furniture will be turned into tote bags, planters or toys. Great for indoors in the monsoon.
- Blood donation or health camp: These work well in larger offices. Work with a licensed blood bank. Ensure it is voluntary.
- Cleaning a lake or park: Provide gloves and bags in advance.
How to Plan Your Activity
- Pick a cause that fits with your CSR policy or a local cause.
- Work with a registered NGO or civic body that can run the activity. They will know the safety standards.
- Ensure your teams are between 6-12 people.
- Give everyone some background on why you are doing the activity. At the end of the activity, allow 15 minutes for reflection. Get teams to share what surprised them.
- Make sure you have transport, permissions, first aid, insurance and permission to take photos a week in advance.
HR often don’t have enough time to organise vendors, venues and facilitators. Working with an event partner like Capers Corporate Wellness who provide team building and wellness engagement activities for companies in Gurgaon and NCR means your HR team can stay with the group.
How to Measure Success
Measure how many people took part, how many hours they gave, and how many people they helped. Send a quick pulse survey 2 weeks later to ask if they can work with people from outside their team more easily now.
Outline what happened with the cause. Did the trees survive after 6 months? How many students completed the course? Otherwise, the activity will just be a team-building day with a charity angle.
FAQs
Are CSR Team Building Activities the same as volunteering?
Not quite. Volunteering is giving your time. With a structured activity there will be a briefing, clear roles and reflection. The aim is to get people working together.
How long should the activity be?
Most teams will find half a day best. 2-4 hours will give you enough time to travel, complete the activity and reflect without tiring people out.
Can we do it as a small company?
Often smaller teams work best. 12 people can look after one classroom or area of a park. You will see real lasting change from one visit.
Start With One Cause
CSR Team Building Activities will give your employees a reason to work together. Pick one cause and half a day activity. Then tailor it to what your team say in the reflection. If you need help planning or facilitating contact the Capers team to discuss what format would work best.
