Читать книгу Living Me to We - Craig Kielburger - Страница 24

DAY

Office Politics

10:05 a.m.

Corporate

Social Responsibility 1.0

Volunteer with Your Colleagues

AT THE TOP OF MOUNT EVEREST François Langlois stood, surveying a view only a very few people have ever seen. Over the previous two years, he trained, sunk himself into debt (ironically enough for the Montreal financial advisor) and straggled along at the back of his climbing group up the mountain. Now that he had reached the top, he felt the urge to share the accomplishment with others. But how? A children’s charity later approached François about raising money by leading climbs to some of the top peaks in the world. It was just the cause he’d been waiting for. Soon, he pitched his mission to his employer, Manulife Securities, which financed his flight to a climb in Antarctica and sponsored a fundraiser in Canada for the same charity. François has now raised over $4 million, doing something he loves to do.Not all of us can scale mountains and raise millions, but today’s employers have our back when it comes to achieving the impossible. Some 71 percent of Canadian companies encourage workplace volunteerism, whether that’s creating volunteer time at work or supporting extracurricular activities. And it couldn’t come at a better time: Canadian volunteer rates have stagnated with less than a quarter of people doing three quarters of the volunteering in the country. By combining professional pursuits with our passion, we get the best of both worlds.In the winter of 2010, François reached his final goal: climbing all seven of the highest summits across seven continents. He didn’t do it alone. A motley crew of like-minded climbers have joined him along the way. Introducing a social conscience into the workplace doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit for you, either. Ask around the water cooler or approach human resources with a plan to create volunteer days during or after work hours. Climb your own personal Mount Everest – who knows what’s possible when you take your cause to the top.

TEAM EFFORTSuggest volunteer activities and meeting times that work around office hours, such as after work or during lunch.Get your boss involved! He or she may be able to help round up other interested employees or offer suggestions.Research an organization, then call up and ask how you or your team can partner on a volunteer project.Plan a group activity once a year as a group building experience.Host weekend activities and invite family and friends on board.Brainstorm specific skills you and your colleagues have to offer, such as accounting, lessons or a musical talent.

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Living Me To We | Day

DAY

Office Politics

10:05 a.m.

A NEW WAY TO WORK

Couple your cause

with your workplace

GO TO PAGE 160 FOR MORE TIPS AND INFORMATION

Source: Imagine Canada.