Volunteerism can pay off for companies and workers

In a challenging economy, nothing seems more important for employers than productivity during the workday. The focus is on meeting your goals, serving the needs of your customers, managing major issues and/or creating innovative new products or services. While these are critical priorities, it’s also important to consider how your big picture could be positively impacted by other things, such as serving the community.
In late September, 750 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island employees hit the pause button on their daily obligations and participated in a company-wide day of service. In reflection of the company’s health care mission, employees supported local nonprofits with health-centered activities ranging from supervising students’ wellness screenings to gathering produce at a farm to help agencies feed the hungry. In East Providence, for example, our employees rolled up the sleeves on their blue T-shirts to paint at the Boys & Girls Club. Boys & Girls Clubs contribute to making communities healthier in many ways, and working there together was the kind of positive health message that resonated internally.
Though calculating the return on investment for such activities might be difficult in basic financial terms, there is a clear benefit to the company, employees and community. While corporate volunteerism is often perceived simply as a public relations strategy, the reality is that smart companies engage in the civic life of a community for several reasons: to build relationships with local leaders, to understand the dynamics of the market the organization serves, and to create a sense of connection between the company and community. For nonprofits and for-profits alike, such activities also give employees a chance to carry out the civic duty of their company in a more tangible way. Refreshing the walls of the East Providence Boys & Girls Club may have seemed a relatively minor job, but employees saw how the environment impacted the young people who received services there and better understood their after-school needs and activities. Employees expressed pride that our company cared enough to pay them to volunteer for a day in organizations that addressed the health care and social needs of our community. That pride will carry over into the work they do on behalf of our customers.
A coordinated employee volunteer program or statewide volunteerism day also pays respect to the powerful role that nonprofits play in our community.
In Rhode Island, we are a small but powerful community, with the potential for our actions to serve as a model for others. So that “photo-op” of a corporate volunteer effort does serve a purpose – inspiring others to give of their time, talent and treasure.
Whatever the scope, employee volunteering has a very real and special impact on people’s lives, and might just be the best free team-building exercise for employees. Hundreds of volunteer opportunities statewide are available online through Serve Rhode Island’s database: http://serverhodeisland.org. •


Carolyn Belisle is director of corporate social responsibility & community relations for Blue Cross & Blue Shield Rhode Island and a board of commissioners member of Serve Rhode Island.

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