Businesses are often known for contributing to their communities and neighborhoods. More often than not this takes the form of financial contributions, sponsorships, donations of equipment, etc.
Consider volunteering your time and the time of your colleagues in serving some of the community needs in a “hands on” fashion. Giving money and “stuff” is important and needy organizations and services depend greatly upon the kind donations given by businesses. But it is the “hands on” where businesses and organizations show their true colors.
Volunteering as a company in a “one-off” effort (specific task or service project rather than a weekly commitment) takes some forward planning including scheduling the amount of time to be given, who will be involved, what organization will you provide volunteer services to and – not the least – what message are you giving regarding your “hands on donation?”
Needy organizations are conscious of the pre-planning required for these efforts and the work it takes for an organization to provide a “team” of people to help.
Let’s consider some of the reasons why you should volunteer as a team, where multiple people from a single organization volunteer to serve needy organizations who in turn are serving the needs of our communities.
Focusing upon the served organization, teams can do the following:
• Bring a group used to working together to focus upon a single project.
• Due to the collective synergy already existent in the group, providing leadership in separate tasks within the project.
• Concentrate an enormous amount of leverage (numbers, bodies) over a short period while getting a great deal done.
• Demonstrate to other organizations that they can volunteer as a team as well in future projects.
Focusing upon the organization that is volunteering their team, consider the following:
• A substantial “teambuilding” function that further unites the participants from within the same company.
• A chance to see each other in another effort, not related to their existing business and the commitment that each one makes.
• A chance to establish the business / organization as a community citizen that actively participates in serving the need of the community, and
• Providing a legacy of service, of public involvement so necessary to the positive reputation of a community involved business or organization.
Check out the following opportunities:
www.seattlegoodwill.org – a multi thrust organization providing goods and services to those in need.
www.rmhcseattle.org – Ronald McDonald House – serving home and away from home families with medical emergencies.
www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/volunteer – adopt parks, trails, recycling
Remember – send in suggested volunteer opportunities to the Kirkland Reporter. Bill LaMarche is a 36 year Kirkland resident, retired, and active community, national and international volunteer. Bill can be through the Kirkland Reporter at: editor@kirklandreporter.com
