Finding our strength: the more we give, the better we get
April 17, 2013
by Amanda Ponzar (@LivingUnited)
The Boston Marathon tragedy showed us once again how strong we really are, how we can pull together and encourage each other during the darkest times. It showed us that there is good in the world; something worth fighting for (see Lord of the Rings video clip). After 26 miles, Boston Marathon runners kept running to donate blood. Medical professionals, fire fighters, police, EMTs and more came to the rescue. People tore off their own clothes for tourniquets. This is the kind of country I'm proud to live in. We may not agree on every political issue, but we are united when it comes to helping others.
Although it's often buried and barely covered, there's more good news and good people who deserve recognition for helping others:
1.) This week, United Ways from around the world are meeting to get energized, work better together for collective impact and scale change. Plus, United Way will be awarding our highest honors -- Spirit of America awards -- to seven incredible companies tomorrow. Check it out.
2.) Peter Dudley (@dudleyPJ), young adult fiction author and CSR leader at Wells Fargo, writes some great posts on employee volunteer programs and workplace campaigns for Charities at Work. One of his recent posts discussed how to get company managers on board with volunteering.
America -- and the world -- needs volunteers. We can't respond to tragedies, help all the people who need help, or make communities a better place without them. Money alone can't do it. We need people.
Dudley proves volunteering isn't a "nice to have" but a "must-have" for companies, with data: more engaged employees are more productive. Wells Fargo has an outstanding, award-winning employee volunteer program, with up to four months paid leave to work on significant nonprofit projects. And Wells Fargo is doing well. This company gets it, and Dudley gets it too.
No matter what size your company (sole proprietor or multinational), if you don't have a volunteer program, see what you can do to create one. Everyone has something to give back, and the more we give, the better things are going to get.
More good news:
Sometimes the good guys really do win
Best companies and best practices in volunteering
Real News, real good: Spirit of America
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Posted by: Abigail | April 18, 2013 at 03:42 PM