Employee Volunteer Programs... A WIN, WIN, WIN!

How Can Your Business Support Character Counts! Week?

This week is Character Counts! Week, an annual celebration of good character in our communities. Schools, youth organizations, civic groups, and businesses alike are celebrating good character and the importance of teaching basic ethical values to youth. Today I want to focus on the impact a business can make by embracing the concept of corporate social responsibility, maintaining the health and well-being
of the communities in which they do business . A concept that has existed more than half a century.

How great would it be to create a WIN, WIN, WIN situation for your business, employees, and the community in which you serve? Well you can do just that; and it is quite simple. An Employee Volunteer Program is the answer! It is the blend of corporate social responsibility and good business practice. Described below are the WIN, WIN, WIN benefits of such programs as suggested from the Joseph & Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics — (Founder of Character Counts! Week).

WIN, WIN, WIN Benefits of Employee Volunteer Programs !

Benefits to Communities
• Creates healthier communities by improving the overall quality of life
• Helps address/solve vital social problems
• Generates a renewed spirit of citizenship and civic pride
• Provides new talent and ideas to meet community needs
• Increases the level and quality of community services
• Opens lines of communication among various segments of the community
• Strengthens the local economy

Benefits to Employees
• Strengthens employees’ organizational, leadership, communications, financial management, and
decision-making skills
• Encourages teamwork
• Enables employees to develop new skills
• Creates a better quality of life where employees live and work
• Reduces stress and increases morale
• Expands networking within the company
• Increases employee awareness of and interest in community issues
• Generates an increased sense of patriotism, citizenship, and civic pride

Benefits to Companies
• Bolsters image as a “Good Corporate Citizen” and builds goodwill toward the company
• Increases employee morale, loyalty, and productivity
• Creates team-building opportunities
• Improves communications and relations between management and the workforce
• Showcases the company as a good place to work (“Employer of Choice”)
• Enhances/increases employee recruitment and retention
• Creates ways to implement or address strategic business goals and objectives
• Promotes awareness about the company in the community