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Have
you ever driven through Houston’s third ward or fourth ward, past the
rundown houses and vacated, vandalized buildings and wondered -- why
doesn’t somebody clean this up? 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. 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. 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 |