The
Right Words for Today's Business
First
Annual Exchange Connection
The Importance of Volunteerism
May 1998
Rick Noriega
(Rep District 145)
Or what about kids roaming the streets at night, do you often wonder why somebody doesn’t do something to get them off the streets?
Why doesn't somebody do something to help the elderly -- find a safe place for the homeless -- give food to the hungry or step in to stop domestic violence and child abuse?
Most
of you have seen celebrities giving public service announcements on
television that address these very issues and more; then, with a direct
look into the camera, the celebrity pointedly exposes the identity of
those “somebodies”
-- you and me.
We,
all of us, are the solution. Through
our corporate and business entities we can be the somebody who runs to
the pharmacy for medicine for an elderly shut-in.
We can assist the local food bank in supplying food for the
hungry.
We can institute programs and projects within the scope of community non-profit organizations that will drastically reduce the high school dropout rates. Through corporate participation we can accomplish a positive change that will benefit not only the community but the corporate world as well.
Taking a stand
to stop hunger, abuse and violence; creating awareness campaigns that
open our minds and hearts; assisting the public schools to increase our
standards of education; or helping a financially strapped youngster
attend college are some of the solutions a business entity can
accomplish through volunteer corporate objectives.
As individuals, we can only accomplish so much. But as a group, with
corporate support, mentoring and assistance, we can make a vital
difference in the future of our communities and in our country. Through
corporate sponsorships and volunteerism we can heighten social awareness
and increase a commitment to a life-long social action that will
increase not only the quality of life of those whom we help, but our own
lives as well.
One of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding responsibilities a
person can have is that of offering our own special skills, whether it
is working with children, building and painting houses for a needy
family or listening to stories told by our senior citizens.
Statistics
show that a meaningful service experience instills a lifelong desire to
contribute to society. This desire, along with the skills and knowledge
participants’ gain through service, builds a strong future generation
of citizens and community leaders.1
Corporate
volunteerism is simply good business.
It is a great way to develop new skills. For some jobs, formal
education or training may not be required but employers want their
employees to possess certain skills. Volunteering is a way to develop
those skills in future employees.
Many
volunteer positions often involve a large degree of responsibility.
Businesses may turn to group volunteer activities for team building,
allowing employees to exercise leadership, develop problem-solving
skills and become creative, effective employees, enhancing their
on-the-job skills.
The participation of corporate volunteers often
supports a company's own strategies, visions and goals. A community can
only be as healthy, vibrant and active as its members are willing to
make it. Doing this involves time, energy, effort and commitment -- from
every single member -- be it a single individual or a corporation.
Educating
and promoting awareness among business leaders about the benefits of
community service programs to corporations, can build their reputations
as well as develop the skills and experience of their employees, and
create a more economically prosperous and vibrant society.
A business’ social responsibility is to be profitable, enabling that
company to provide challenging, well-paid jobs and the opportunities for
development for all employees. It should be self evident that a
business' success is ultimately dependent on the success, strength, and
optimism of the community in which it operates.2
Businesses
that help their communities through volunteerism will find they are
growing a garden of future employees and leaders, unleashing their
creativity and building teams that will carry them into the millennium
and beyond.
Partnering
with service organizations such as Crime Stoppers and the Police
Activities League can help lessen crime rates that eat and erode our
economy. Providing educational assistance through programs such as the
Scholarship Program for Houston Youth, Inc. increases the field of
educated job applicants that will support and maintain a growing
economy.
Therefore,
it is also a responsibility of business to take an active role in
shaping that community. Corporations can, by their actions, be one of
the key contributors toward the evolution of our society in a direction
that will benefit every citizen.
Corporate
volunteerism builds public trust, a vital element to any business’
ability to operate and compete. Public
trust is strengthened only if the business is seen as having a genuine
concern and awareness for its community and makes a positive
contribution. Ultimately, a business will do well by doing “good”.
1
Corporation for
National Service
2 Courtney Pratt, President of Noranda Inc. September 29, 1997
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