Companies find ways to encourage volunteerism

By Debra Morrill

Many businesses place a value on giving back to the community, often in the form of financial philanthropy.

Some give of their time and resources in other ways - most commonly by encouraging their employees to volunteer.
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Johnson Bank sponsors an all-day employee volunteer project each year. Past efforts have included working with the Audubon Society to restore an oak savannah and Project Home to assemble Christmas stockings and build a gingerbread house for a charity auction.

"Our organization is driven by our values," said Greg Dombrowski, president of Johnson Bank-Madison. "We're a privately owned company, and the Johnson family has a multigenerational commitment to making the communities they operate in better places. They measure us on our ability to do that, and it's taken very seriously."

Corporate volunteerism is woven throughout the culture at Johnson Bank. Each year the person most deserving wins a service award, given at a companywide meeting. Officers are expected to serve on the boards of nonprofit organizations. And hiring managers talk about the culture of volunteerism in the recruiting process as a way of attracting like-minded employees.

Companies with employee volunteer programs find benefits in such areas as staff recruitment, retention and development.

Madison Gas & Electric supports volunteerism and lists opportunities for involvement in the employee newsletter. "Providing those opportunities boosts employee morale and creates enthusiasm," said Jim Jenson, community education manager. "And employees get the opportunity to take on leadership roles they might not otherwise be involved in, so it provides some training and professional development beyond the workplace."

Volunteerism is part of employee orientation at MG&E. "We set it up so new employees understand we're a community utility and then share information about how to take an active role," Jenson said.
The QTI Group allows employees to take time during work hours to volunteer or serve on boards, according to Jay Loewi, president. "If you look at Dane County as a sandbox, every time you play in the sandbox, you take a little bit of sand out with you," he said. "There needs to be someone who puts sand back in. We want to be one of those companies."

Employees at QTI Group also have a chance to get involved in another aspect of philanthropy by working with the QTI Good Samaritan Fund, a 501(c)(3) set up to help employees in times of need. The board consists of one management team member and six other employees. "It's a broadening experience for employees, and that comes into their day-to-day interactions with other people," Loewi said.

Companies wanting to start or expand employee volunteer programs can join the Business Volunteer Network (BVN) through the Dane County United Way. Currently, 38 companies make up the network. Members get together quarterly to discuss best practices and share information about volunteer opportunities.

Jenny Kalson, corporate consumer relations for American TV and Appliance, is chairwoman of the BVN executive committee. "We try to expose members to as many different opportunities as possible so they find something that fits for their company," she said.

debramorrill@yahoo.com

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Tom Burton, right, and Tom Kobinsky, both of CUNA Mutual Group, unpack and stack toys last December for the annual Empty Stocking Toy Depot. Various companies in the capital region have found that encouraging employees to volunteer is a good way to make a positive impact in the community. Since 1919, the Empty Stocking Club, a children's charity of the Wisconsin State Journal, has dedicated itself to making sure that every child in the area, no matter how needy, has at least one nice Christmas gift. Last year, more than 7,000 toys were distributed to children from 3,000 families.

Tom Burton, right, and Tom Kobinsky, both of CUNA Mutual Group, unpack and stack toys last December for the annual Empty Stocking Toy Depot. Various companies in the capital region have found that encouraging employees to volunteer is a good way to make a positive impact in the community. Since 1919, the Empty Stocking Club, a children's charity of the Wisconsin State Journal, has dedicated itself to making sure that every child in the area, no matter how needy, has at least one nice Christmas gift. Last year, more than 7,000 toys were distributed to children from 3,000 families.
(SARAH B. TEWS)