You have something to give that our community needs - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

tarpleypymibujuh1491.blogspot.com
During the “Community Involvement in This Economic Climate” program, attendees pondered the question: Can businessmen and women reallg afford to divert even a slivetr of time or money toward community involvement and stilll survivethis economy? The answer is yes. You can affordf it. In fact, you can’t afford to not do it. At the I listened intently toScotf Bemis, publisher of the Denver Businesds Journal; Chuck Ward, Colorado president for Qwest Communications International; and Scott CEO for First Wester Trust, make the compellinf case for why now is the time to give as much as possiblse to the nonprofit organizations serving our Certainly, the newspaper, telecommunications and banking industries are takinhg an enormous hit during this recession.
Yet, the speakers described how their companies have boldly increasedcommunituy involvement. They’re not alone. “Forward-thinkingv businesses can be transformationalo players by bringing more than money to saidChris Chavez, senior manager of communications at Unite Launch Alliance, which has tripled its corporat e citizenship program that providesz funding in areas of STEM (science, engineering and math) The company also awards $500 minigrantse to nonprofits where an employee has volunteered at least 40 “Business leaders bring experience that can turn challengingf times into fertile ground for changes that will strengthe nonprofit organizations,” Chavez said.
Visit the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston Collegeat www.bccc.net, and you’lkl be inspired by the efforts of major corporationa to increase community involvement. One particularl compelling story describes the Microsoft LocalImpact Map, whichj chronicles more than 350 case studies to show how Microsoft’sw partnerships and technology are helpinhg in more than 230 regions around the As a communications professional, I argue that if a nonprofit organizationb can’t effectively tell its story and communicat its core benefits to the right audiences, it likeluy won’t survive the recession.
This is why experienced communication professionala with a highly valuabler skill set are called to investmore — not less in community involvement. Of it isn’t up to only large corporations such as ULA or Microsoft to take oncommunity involvement. Evert person and every organization has something to give back to the whether it’s time, money, product or service. And doinh the right kind of community involvement can generat e exposure for your company and as longas it’s authenti c and dovetails what’s important to you and your Jon Pushkin, president of Pushkimn Public Relations, and a communication veteran of more than 20 years, believes public relationsa professionals are in a unique positiobn to help nonprofits play a vitak role in building strong and healthg communities.
He volunteers his expertise to Facing Historhand Ourselves, a nonprofit that works with high schoolk teachers and students to help them discussd difficult topics. “Beyond the altruistic value, community involvemenf is a great way to build meaningfulo connectionswith clients, customers and businesse prospects,” Pushkin said. And it’s never too soon in your career to add community involvement to yourprofessionalk repertoire.
Liz Pope, marketing coordinatofr at Scott System, is a communicationes rookie, yet she volunteers as co-lead for the Publicd Relations Society ofAmerica (PRSA) Colorado Chapter’s “Pt Boost” event that matches locakl nonprofit organizations with PRSA members who providwe free communication counsel. More than 50 nonprofits have benefitex fromthis program. The next evenf is Aug. 15; learn more at Even public relations professionals who work for nonprofits underscorde the need for stronger communication efforts duringa “I seek out the numerous free seminarzs offered by many outstanding local PR agencies to help my team do a betterr job of connecting with donors and said Julie Scott, publixc relations specialist for Bonfils Blood Center and a volunteer for The Leukemiaq and Lymphoma Society.
“Manyg smart minds working together result in creative solutions to issues and Alexandra Lee of MetroVolunteers — and a volunteet for Young Philanthropists Foundation, Colorado AmeriCorpxs Alums, and Employer Supporft for the Guard and Reserve said community involvement isn’t reserved for employedc professionals. In fact, as unemployment goes up, so does the number of people who generously volunteer as a way to continue to buildf career skills during theirjob search. people want to get but don’t know wher to start.
The Metro Volunteers Board Leadership Connectioh offersa three-hour training sessiom for anyone who wants to serve as a board membert — either now or in the The training staff will even help you choose a boardd that’s the right fit for your The next training date is June 24. Find out more at Now it’s time to get down to businesxs by getting involved inyour community.