Charity and Team Bonding By Lily Morgan At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Corporate philanthropies used to raise eyebrows until some years ago. It was reserved for the super rich business honchos or the occasional celebrity where the glamorous aspect was more hyped than the actual charity donations. Changing times with global warming, polar ice shifts, and strategic oil based wars, rising disparity between the poor and the rich, and the pervading feeling of isolation and loneliness in our frantic lifestyle has created conflicts of our identity and contribution towards the society where we foster our community and well being.

Companies are no longer sole minting entities catering only to increasing the profitability of the shareholder’s money, but also adopting a social and community based attitude to instil a sense of responsibility towards each other, the needy, and the deprived. Green peace and Habitat for Humanity are some non profit and charitable organizations dedicated to helping preserve nature, wildlife, and build shelters for the homeless and the destitute.

Apart from that, companies have been using off-site meetings and retreats to foster a sense of bonding among the employees for some years now, but obstacle courses or golf tournaments are becoming as clichéd as freebies distributed with consumer goods during Christmas and other holidays. Today, more corporations are turning to hands-on volunteer projects to get their people motivated and working as a team. Teams involved in charity acquire the benefits of lasting relationships.

Apart from the bonding, it also gives the volunteer a sense of widened perspective of the socio economic classes. Reaching out to economically deprived people fills one with a sense of realization that the rising affluence on one side is leaving more people without homes and a regular means of sustenance.

Fun yet strenuous activities, like laying down bricks, and shovelling heaps of mortar and sand, erase boundaries between people. It is heart warming to see a leader of a company lifting bricks while a 23-year-old junior assistant is laying down the cement and instructing others in their pre- assigned tasks.

Yet, there are companies that indulge in philanthropic interests to further their strategic goals through influencing of the customer’s purchasing decisions, especially in times of high unemployment and elevated community need. Companies are also seeking charitable ventures as they realize that apart from the strong brand image created in the minds of the people, consumers also prefer companies that care. That brand image is more sustainable for a company’s future in the long run.

A company known as an excellent corporate citizen is much more attractive to employees seeking work. There is a sense of building stronger relationships with staff, customer, and suppliers, all resulting in improved productivity. Team volunteering cultivates a strong sense of camaraderie during charity drives.

People are looking for organizations that demonstrate a strong ethical value system, as awareness of quality of life enhancement is also on the rise. In these team exercises, communication barriers are broken down and promote a strong sense of community ... helping each other out the team responsibilities makes people connect with each other at a very informal and personal level. This leads to greater understanding, positive responsiveness to strategies, and enhanced productivity.

Appreciation of people who are helped in the process is a step towards ensuring that future generations do not live in cities with sulphuric acid clouds, desolate lands and poisonous air. Not to mention that this kind of appreciation that comes straight from the heart means much more than a pat on the shoulder by the boss in having justified your pay check at the end of the day.

“Heal the world, make it a better place. For you and for me and the entire human race...“

Michael Jackson

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