Local companies get down to the business of not making money, but building a community tomorrow (Jan. 26) when Volunteer Richmond Information Services (VRIS) kicks off its first in a series of community engagement workshops.
Last November, VRIS launched its Richmond Caring Companies program, intended to help local businesses create charitable initiatives and programs.
Working with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Ashton Service Group, VRIS holds workshops over the next four months with 15 businesses signed up to learn more about starting or enhancing employer-supported volunteer services.
We would like to evolve our leadership to encourage corporate Richmond, said Elizabeth Specht, VRIS executive director.
Specht said she prefers community engagement over corporate social responsibility which could simply mean having a green office.
Companies, both large and small, develop policies, procedures and implementation plans at the workshops, and then are put in touch with non-profit organizations to pitch collaborative ideas.
Everything will culminate on the first annual Richmond Day of Caring, tentatively set for June 15, where employees work with NPOs on to-be-determined service projects in the city.
Interest by the business sector to give back is not a new concept, but many people didnt know how to get involved beyond cutting a cheque at Christmas time, said Specht.
Employees are three times as likely to stay at a job with employer-supported volunteer programs.
One of the questions posed by young people in job interviews now is what do you do for the community? Specht added.
Lisa Wong is the chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and also an insurance advisor at the participating Richmond Caring Company Beavis Wong & Associates.
Her firms decision to join was born from a simple conversation when somebody asked for help delivering community meals to the needy and several people were eager to volunteer.
How do you create a positive engaged workforce and align it with the values of employees? Theyre putting in eight hours or more (at work) as they personally struggle with work-life balance, said Wong.
The chamber becomes a conduit between VRIS and their 1,100 members.
It provides a forum bringing both businesses and NPOs together to create awareness and identify needs in a formalized manner.
For more information, contact VRIS at 604-279-7020.
