Commitment at its core

When Carolin Genkinger talks about her hobby, the passion in her voice is unmistakable: "I started vaulting as a child and now spend much of my free time as a trainer in our club." This 'gymnastics on horseback', as she calls it, with choreography and music to match, and the interplay between animal and human, fascinated her from the start. After a long break - in her early 20s she stopped doing acrobatics on horseback - she took up lungeing again, motivated her daughter to join in, qualified as a trainer and now looks after several vaulting groups, each with up to 12 children and young people. Every summer, she goes to a week-long tent and training camp with other clubs from all over Germany. The Foundation supports this through paid corporate volunteering days.

Maximilian Donath is in charge of this programme, which the foundation launched in 2017: "We promote volunteering because it benefits society and allows people to see the bigger picture." He adds that volunteering also helps people develop their social skills, which in turn benefits their main job. Carolin Genkinger, who volunteers with the association three times a week in addition to her summer jobs, describes it this way: "For me, it's a way to catch my breath, recharge my batteries and get involved in something that grounds me. Working well in a team is very important." She emphasises another aspect: "I show the next generation how enriching volunteering can be.

Volunteering is open to all Foundation staff. About six people apply each year for a wide range of activities. "We are always happy to hear of further interest and look at each case individually. The procedure is quite straightforward," explains Maximilian Donath. The following points are important: the volunteering should be done with a registered association or an initiative that confirms this, for at least six hours a day. The three 'official' days of volunteering can be supplemented by holidays, flexitime or days off. The work-related commitments must be agreed in advance within the team with the relevant manager. "Then an informal application by e-mail is sufficient," says Maximilian Donath.

"My club is very impressed that I have this great opportunity," says Carolin Genkinger. Such an employer benefit is something special and also helps to retain employees. It is clear how much she enjoys her voluntary work: "Sport at grassroots and competitive level, valuable shared experiences for children and young people, responsibility as a trainer - I am a committed person."