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76. Organization is willing to be a mentor to other businesses going through Leaders in Sustainability certification.
While each business faces unique challenges and circumstances in achieving its sustainability goals, being able to share ideas and resources is a critical piece of building a sustainable business community in Clackamas County. Many businesses would be interested in being an informal mentor to other businesses in order to encourage learning from one another. If you are interested in being connected with another business for this purpose, or if you are willing to be a mentor yourself, let your Sustainability Advisor know.
77. Employees receive paid time to volunteer in the community or serve in civic leadership roles.
It is becoming increasingly common for workplaces to offer paid time off for their employees to do volunteer work. Many employers find that nurturing volunteerism within their organizations leads to improvements in the work environment, employee satisfaction and retention, public engagement, and their relationships with customers. It also enables an organization to become more directly involved in addressing local issues.
Getting Started:
First, identify any obstacles that could be in the way of starting an employee volunteer program. Lack of resources, for example, has been cited by 46% of companies surveyed as the primary obstacle to corporate citizenship.
Consider offering your employees release time or flex time so they can volunteer with local organizations in need. Release time provides employees paid time off to volunteer. These policies vary from company to company, ranging anywhere from one paid day per year, up to ten paid hours each month. (For more ideas on release time policies, see this sample volunteer time-off policy.) Flex time, on the other hand, allows employees to adjust their work schedules to accommodate volunteering. Unlike release time, it does not financially cover employees’ volunteer time. An additional option is to instead hold a company-wide volunteer day, which can provide team building and employee interaction. Volunteer days are also great opportunities for enhancing your public image. Not sure where to find volunteer opportunities for your employees? Organizations like Earth Day Oregon or Willamette Week have pulled together lists of nonprofits to make choosing a volunteer option easy, for Earth Day or any day of the year.
Make sure to recognize employees who volunteer so that they stay motivated and excited to continue volunteering! This is an aspect that is often forgotten. For ideas on how to recognize volunteers, see this sample volunteer recognition guide.
78. Recruit and/or hire people from disadvantaged populations and communities.
Sustainability incorporates social dimensions such as social inclusion, equal opportunities and anti-discrimination. It is about understanding impacts on people and society. It is also about proactive contributions toward human development and well-being. Business partnerships that support people from disadvantaged populations is a component of social sustainability helping create meaningful employment and increased independence, self-confidence and dignity. The State of Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services provides a list of Qualified Rehabilitation Facilities by service type including e-waste recycling, janitorial, food and beverage services and more that can provide a starting point to find organizations that employ people with disabilities. Exceed Enterprises is one example of a Clackamas non-profit organization that excels in providing vocational and personal development service for people with disabilities.
79. Sponsor, host or donate in-kind services or products to community organizations.
Involvement in community organizations demonstrates your concern for the community in which your business is located, and it shows that your business supports certain community-related issues. This can significantly improve your organization’s public image, as well as help build goodwill in your community. Offering professional services or products that may otherwise go unused is a great way to support your local community. If you have a specific service or product that you would like to donate, contact your Sustainability Advisor for assistance connecting with other organizations in Clackamas County that can use your support.
Getting Started:
- Contribute money to a community event or organization. You can often deduct contributions like these on your taxes.
- Volunteer your facilities to other organizations.
- Host an event for a community organization.
80. A charitable giving campaign, funds-matching, or similar program is in place to support charitable donations by employees.
When an employer sets up a workplace giving campaign, employees see that doing business is more than just that -- it’s about strengthening the local community by supporting organizations and important causes. In addition to helping community organizations raise money in an effective way, employees gain a sense of fulfillment that helps further connect them to your company’s mission.
To learn more about workplace giving campaigns for environmental organizations in Oregon, visit EarthShare Oregon website.
