Choosing Community Involvement Activities

Lana J. Chandler
July 12, 2011 | COMMENTS

Choosing to get involved in a community activity is a very personal thing,” observes Janet Raymond, senior vice president for MZ Bierly Consulting, Inc. (Concord, NH). “The activity or organization should be something you are passionate about. Fortunately, the world is made up of individual thinkers—sometimes forward thinkers—enabling so many non-profit organizations to thrive, get their message out and provide help and assistance to their beneficiaries.”

If you join an organization just because you were told you had to or this one seems just as good as any, you probably won’t invest true passion and effort. Bottom line, to have an impact on an organization your heart needs to be in it.

Depending on the size of the community you serve, the opportunities might be limited. Every community, though, usually has organizations that provide food and shelter—food/soup kitchens, pantries—and reading programs where adults go into the elementary schools for an hour a week and read to students.

Other examples of community involvement activities are Junior Achievement, specific disease-related organizations such as American Cancer Society and their related events (runs/walks, concerts, auctions, golf tournaments), chamber of commerce membership drives, American Red Cross, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

Have the Time to Commit

“Besides having a strong interest in or affinity for an organization’s mission, make sure you have the time to commit. Whether the organization wants you for one hour a week or one hour a month, make sure you can make that commitment,” Raymond says. “Volunteering to participate and then backing out at the last minute is not the way to provide support and win friends. You must be prepared to meet your commitment. Understand the expectations before you get involved.”

Should All Employees Be Involved?

With so many organizations needing help at every level, there’s room enough for everyone to get involved. Financial institutions like to have their branch staff out and visible in the community. Let’s face it—branch employees are the face of the organization. Anyone can get involved in on-site registering of participants for the American Cancer Breast Walk, usually wearing the institution’s logo shirt. Branch managers, commercial relationship managers, and senior managers are also often asked to be on local or regional boards—such as the United Way.

How can you decide who should be involved in which activities? “Be conscientious of employees’ life situations before asking them to get involved and determining their level of commitment,” Raymond says. “You also have to address the time commitment out of the branch. Sometimes supporting a charity, collectively as a branch team, is of interest and brings everyone together for one common goal and is good for team building.”

This story appeared in Branch Manager’s Letter at www.branchmanagersletter.com and is reprinted with permission. Contact publisher Lana J. Chandler at 304-343-0206 or Lana@BranchManagersLetter.com.