Singapore - HR practitioners who want to chalk up karma points by volunteering their HR expertise now have an avenue to do so.

A local organisation, The Kind Exchange, aims to match skilled professionals, such as marketing practitioners and HR practitioners, to charities for specific tasks and projects. By tapping into the expertise of professionals, charities would be able to save money and direct the funds into their programmes, while allowing practitioners to perform tasks aligned with their day-to-day job.

Launched in 2007, the organisation is affiliated with charities such as The Salvation Army, Singapore After-Care Association, Aidha and TWC2.

According to Julie Englefield, marketing director of The Kind Exchange, there is a need in the welfare sector for HR skills. This is because registered charities are expected by the government to develop a set of HR policies, but often do not have the resources to do so.

"One example: Aidha would like to develop a performance management policy (including training & development). Broadly speaking, the scope of the policies needn’t be exhaustive, but the basics do need to be covered."

While volunteer hours may vary, Englefield estimates the task of writing one HR policy to take three to four hours, when written in collaboration with the management.

When asked why members volunteer, Englefield says the sense of personal fulfillment volunteering gives is something a job can never replicate. Furthermore, due to a strong demand in HR skills, HR practitioners who volunteer can make a significant difference to society.

"It is true generosity and without experiencing it first hand, the sense of satisfaction is difficult to describe," she says.

To register as a volunteer, log on to www.thekindexchange.com.