At their core, human beings need two things in life: purpose and connection. We need to feel like we’re contributing to the greater good. That we’re a part of a community.
Volunteering as a team means we can accomplish more. It satisfies our desire for purpose and fosters our sense of belonging. We truly are better together.
“We rise by lifting others.” —Robert Ingersoll
Making an impact with your team.
Getting your employees involved in giving back is a great way to spend time together and make the world a better place.
Our final post of this series is all about how to share your passion for charity work with your team. Antis Roofing & Waterproofing’s Director of Cause, Susan DeGrassi, is back with 5 ways you can get started giving back to Orange County Charities.
#1: Pick causes that matter to your employees.
Take the time to learn what causes are important to your team. When you ask employees what they care about, they’re more likely to join in on charitable efforts.
Hold a company-wide brainstorm to decide nonprofits you want to work with or donate to. There may be cultural causes that are near and dear to your team. Or maybe they know of someone in the local community you can help.
The Antis team is passionate about helping animals. (We are, too!) They frequently donate to nonprofits that help furry friends in need. And recently, they did a “take your dog to work” day. It was a big hit!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill
#2: Hand out “giving cards.”
A great way to further personalize giving back is by rewarding your employees with nonprofit donations.
At Antis, they have a “Live to Give” campaign. Each week, they recognize an outstanding employee with a “giving card.” This card represents a donation an employee can give to a nonprofit of their choice. The following week, the recognized team member tells the rest of the team about the charity they chose.
Susan says, “there’s an ongoing, kind of fun dynamic about it.” People get excited. They make more of an effort at work so they can help make a bigger impact in the local community.
#3: Offer paid and unpaid volunteer time.
Letting your team give back during business hours shows you’re committed to bettering the local community. You become more credible and gain employee respect.
Antis gives their team paid volunteer time every year. Employees can use these hours to volunteer anywhere they’d like. Antis also lets their staff take unpaid time off for volunteer activities. If employees want to go on a mission trip or volunteer abroad, they can!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” —Mahatma Gandhi
#4: Make a day of it.
Pick a slow time of year and schedule a company-wide volunteer day. Take part in a Habitat for Humanity build, volunteer at a children’s hospital, or help out your local food pantry. There are plenty of Orange County charities that need your help!
When you spend time giving back together, you strengthen your team’s bond. And that shows back at the office.
#5: Reflect.
At the end of the year, create an infographic that highlights how your team gave back to Orange County charities. Include how many nonprofits you helped, volunteer activities you did, and how much time you spent bettering the local community. It’s a fun way to commemorate all the good you accomplished.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” —Anne Frank
Start giving back to Orange County charities.
Early on, it may be challenging to get employees involved in giving back. Susan advises, “Building a company culture that embraces giving back means being in it for the long haul.”
So keep at it. And don’t forget to have fun. Every little bit makes a difference in your local community and in the morale of your team.
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