Businesses invited to the Volunteer Fair
For a business to be successful, the community around it needs to be healthy and thriving.
Community needs are changing with cutbacks in traditional funding and increased demand for services. These changes bring fresh opportunities for partnerships between business and not-for-profit organizations.
Finding partnerships will be easier on September 8th at the annual Okanagan Volunteer Opportunities Fair, where over 75 not-for-profit agencies gather at Parkinson Recreation Centre to answer your questions.
Quality Greens is one of those businesses that has built relationships throughout our community.
From the day we first opened our doors 17 years ago, we were committed to supporting our community, said Chris Holmes, Quality Greens co-founder. “As Quality Greens has grown, so has our commitment.”
Research shows there are practical benefits for businesses that give back. Employees who are supported in their volunteerism stay in their jobs longer and are more committed to their work.
All things being equal, recent graduates are much more likely to accept employment with a socially responsible company.
The right relationships enhance your brand. Partnering in creative ways can help support programs for those in need while drawing attention to your products and services.
Becoming known for your business involvement in the community sets you apart from your competition and expands your market position.
New relationships between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations create an investment in the people and resources available within the community.
All of these efforts lead to greater profitability and stability for your business.
Kelowna Community Resources encourages business and not-for-profit partnerships by sponsoring two Corporate Community of the Year Awards at the City of Kelowna Civic and Community Awards.
“We also hosted a corporate social responsibility networking event earlier this year that gave not-for-profit organizations an opportunity to pitch their cause to interested businesses, said Dawn Wilkinson, KCR Community Services Manager and key organizer of the volunteer fair.
There are different levels of corporate social responsibility. Partnerships can be ad hoc and informal or more managed when there is consistency in terms of events and process.
Defined partnering becomes more long term, is documented and well understood by all the core stakeholders. Root it into company culture by adding focus, goals, metrics and action plans.
“The top level of is more than being rooted,” explains Sue Manziuk, KCR Pilot Project Coordinator for the CSR project. “The relationship grows, changes and strengthens its impact through feedback and evaluation.
The process is similar for not-for-profit organizations as they assess their need for assistance, their values, and potential partners that best align with their values and goals.
Not-for-profits also need to be brand conscious and strategic to gain maximum benefits on behalf of their clients.
And so it does make sense for businesses to attend the Okanagan Volunteer Opportunities Fair on September 8th between 10 am – 3 pm at Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way.
Learn more about what is already happening in our community and brainstorm about where your business could make a difference.
While at the fair, pick up your free copy of the Get Involved magazine published by Beyond 50 and read more about how Quality Greens supports community causes.
Links:
Okanagan Volunteer Opportunities Fair
http://kcr.ca/community-services/community-information-volunteer-centre/volunteer-not-for-profit-services/okanagan-volunteer-opportunities-fair
Dawn Wilkinson
Community Services Manager
Kelowna Community Resource
www.kcr.ca
[email protected]
250.763.8008 E. 24 | 120 - 1735 Dolphin Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8A6
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