I have worked in the business world for most of my career. I believe organizations and their people can make a difference. A difference to not only to enhance and achieve their goals and objectives; but also, at the same time to build and strengthen their community. The need for making a difference has never been greater because the divergence among those in our communities has never been greater.
After many years working in the for-profit sector, I have spent most of the past four years volunteering and working in the “not-for-profit” world. My experiences with the United Way and Canadian Mental Health Association; only reinforced my beliefs but gave me a fresh perspective on how all organizations can and could make a difference, not only for their organization, their people but also for all of the people in their communities.
It was an eye-opening experience, I had a passing familiarity with the needs of the community, but nowhere near as much as what I should have, and even after the first week and all of the subsequent weeks, it became apparent how more needs to be done and can be done. I write this, having returned to the world of business, urging you to consider implementing as many of the following suggestions as possible, as I am doing.
Hire full-time people – Living in our community, like so many others, is very expensive. People cannot afford to live here. It is impossible for many working people to meet their needs while working part-time. I know that some companies hire part-time people instead of full-time associates to save money and believe it increases flexibility. I believe this is a misconception.
Recruiting suffers as part-time positions may not attract as many good applicants because they are drawn to full-time positions. Staff retention suffers as people working part-time may be working one or two part-time jobs and will leave if offered a full-time position. Your part-time people juggling multiple positions just to survive, increasing their stress, limiting their availability to you, and perhaps affecting their productivity.
Organizations that offer full-time positions, may benefit from increased loyalty, better continuity, and actually save money by not having to recruit, train, recruit train new people more frequently.
Pay a “Living Wage” – Jobs are going unfilled in my community. Politicians and organizational leaders cry out about “people who don’t want to work” without realizing, as with the first point, that people cannot afford to live where they work. The lack of affordable and safe housing combined with low wages results in people, instead of paying 30-40% of their income on housing, having to pay upwards of 80 or 90% of their income on rent, leaving little money for food, clothing, and “life”. I appreciate the impact of higher wages on organizations; however, paying a living wage should be something that is a given, not an option.
Offer what benefits you can – Many organizations have reduced operating costs by reducing or eliminating benefits for their people. I appreciate benefits are expensive; however, consider finding plans that are split between your people and your organization. Having adequate coverage can make the difference between coping and not coping with an unexpected situation or even just preventive health appointments for your people. Providing even limited benefits can help with retention, loyalty, and healthier people.
Add Mental Health First Aid Courses for your people. In my community this year, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health experience. Stigma, misinformation, and fear dominate an issue that is likely affecting someone close to you right now. Mental Health First Aid courses help to open the door to critical thinking, they remove the “knee-jerk” reaction many people have to topics such as trauma, safe injection sites, and safe and prescribed drugs, and acknowledge many addictions are the result of trauma we can start to make a real and effective difference. Addiction is a health crisis, not a criminal problem.
Promote recycling and energy conversation programs. Climate change may be the greatest challenge facing our planet and every organization can help make a difference. Many small and large things can be done, including Turning off computer screens and as many lights as possible when the organization is closed; using motion sensors connected to light switches for all spaces within the organization, using LED lights as much as possible, collecting and properly sorting recyclables, finding ways to reuse or repurpose equipment and supplies, use a fleet monitoring system for company vehicles to monitor performance and emissions.
Other ideas include running bottle drives to encourage recycling and donating the proceeds to local charities. Examine all the waste generated by your organization, for example many local grocery stores are now donating excess food to local meal programs and food banks, they “rescue” what they can, and local community gardens compost useable waste; previously all of that food went straight to landfills. Furniture and appliance stores can donate clean and serviceable customer disposals and returns to local shelters and programs designed to help vulnerable people.
Encourage customers, clients, suppliers, and your people to donate food, money, and/or time to local food organizations. In our community 1 in 7 people are experiencing food insecurity, they simply don’t have enough food. If more organizations even did one event per year, it would help alleviate this situation. Local food banks, community kitchens, and community gardens are mostly run by volunteers, many are senior citizens, they always need help, they need more people to be aware of the stigma and misconceptions people have. Encouraging awareness is a great way to help your community.
Providing time for staff to leave early to volunteer. Allowing flexibility for people to assist with local charities and other community groups doesn’t have to be expensive. Encouraging people to serve on community boards is another great way to network and build your community.
Donate your organization’s services one day per year to help vulnerable people in your community. Imagine the community impact if every organization did this. Home Furnishing companies donate delivery space to help people move or provide surplus items to groups such as Habitat for Humanity. Banks and Credit Unions donate time to educate students, seniors, and vulnerable people on financial literacy. Accountants, helping vulnerable people complete tax forms as tax returns are the gateway to many government programs. Garages could provide inspections and minor repairs for people who don’t have the resources to maintain their vehicles. Dentists could do free cleaning and repairs for vulnerable people.
Host community events or organizations. If your organization has extra space, consider hosting a community garden or even converting existing flower beds to grow fruits and vegetables to support local community meals and seniors. Community gardens are staffed by volunteers and they can generate much-needed fresh produce for the community and raise money to sustain the program. Consider partnering with other community groups to use some of your space for meetings or community events. Many merchants have food and beverages for events that are supported by volunteer organizations as fundraisers.
Ask questions about organizations you belong to. As a businessperson previously I supported several business lobby groups that advocated annual 0% tax increases, fought the drive to raise minimum wages or guarantee basic incomes; and unfortunately, I never considered the social costs to society, but only looked at how policies affected my organization. I should have questioned them and looked beyond my narrow view. Good business practices can function in a society where social responsibility is a priority and vice versa, they are not mutually exclusive.
Politicians who campaign with promises of a 0% tax increase are actually cutting programs each year by not factoring in inflation. Minimum wages are not “living wages,” those same lobby groups who fight raising wages ignore the poverty spiral we have created, and too many people in our community and even some who work in our organizations are having to decide between food and rent, today.
Help change attitudes about community issues. Perhaps the least expensive and most impactful topic in this post. Most of what we think about the issues facing vulnerable people is wrong. Our social safety net is not sufficient. People are hungry in our community, not just the people most imagine, but students, seniors, single parents, and people who are working. Slavery exists today, it is called Human Trafficking and it is very real. Addiction is not a criminal issue; it is a health issue. Mental Illness is no different than any other health issue. Climate Change is real and is impacting all of us. By learning, asking questions, and thinking critically you and your organizations can make a difference and help other people make a difference simply by becoming aware these are real problems that require our attention now.
I have returned to the world of business, more convinced than ever that “for-profit” and “non-for-profit organizations can not only co-exist but can work together as both share many common interests.
Working with more than three hundred volunteers and their respective “non-profit” organizations, beginning each day picking up food rescue items for a community meal program, making presentations to municipal governments, service organizations, high schools and colleges, conferences, learning about mental health and addiction; has changed my perspective and only reinforced my belief that …
Now is the most important time to make a difference.
You don’t have to be extraordinary to make a difference.
Change can start with one person and grow from there.
We need your help.
Paul