Join in and help community
IT is easy when you are running a business to be focused internally, but you should not forget the importance of giving back to your community.
There are plenty of ways you can do this, and the difference you can make can be considerable, as well as having a positive impact on your team.
There are three things you can donate to help the right cause: money, time or knowledge.
For small businesses that may not have the bottom line to donate large sums of cash, you can still have a positive impact by donating time or expertise to a cause.
You may find that a charity could use your help on the board, or by arranging a fundraiser, or bringing general attention to its cause.
Money is not the only way to give back and support our region and community.
We all bring plenty of experience to our businesses so why not seek out someone who you could mentor for a few hours a week or enable someone starting out in your field to get vital hands-on experience through an internship?
Giving back is also a great way to become immersed in your area, make contacts, build networks and get to know what is going on around you.
According to a Giving Australia, it seems we are a giving bunch of people with businesses donating $17.5 billion to charities and not-for-profit organisations in 2016.
It comprised of $7.7 billion in community partnerships; $6.2 billion in donations; $3.6 billion in non-commercial sponsorships. According to the organisation, larger businesses (although they only make up 0.2 per cent of Australian businesses), were more likely to give, and in greater amounts.
In Geelong there are plenty of opportunities to fundraise or donate, which can be of benefit to the wider community as well as your business.
Why don’t you enter a company team in the Surf Coast Trek, a 40km walk along the picturesque Surf Coast Walk from Aireys Inlet to Torquay?
The April 6 event raises funds for Kids Plus Foundation and Give Where You Live, supporting the lives of those in need in the Geelong and the Surf Coast region.
Committing to the challenge and encouraging your staff to join also leads by example, supporting them to get outside and get active, work together and help give back at the same time.
Need a little longer to get match fit? Why not get a team together for the Around the Bay, the October cycling challenge that aids the Smith Family to support disadvantaged children succeed at school.
We may only be in February but October will be here before we know it, so it is a great time to be thinking about the event and getting your team on board.
It is great to see so many businesses taking part in Around the Bay each year with many of them matching their workers’ fundraising abilities. They should be applauded.
If you are looking for something a little less active, there are many other activities you can do to raise money — from casual dress days to trivia nights — and you can be as creative as you like.
And it is worth bearing in mind Australia charities are heavily reliant on free labour with charities using 2.9 million volunteers compared with 1.3 million paid employees.
So getting your team to volunteer as a group and roll up their sleeves for a cause they are passionate about will be much appreciated.
Meanwhile, Give Where You Live has its annual MAYDAY Appeal approaching. For as little as a $1 a day for the month of May, you can help the organisation that has raised more than $63 million for the Geelong community since 1954.
So what are you waiting for? Get your team on-board, contribute to a good local cause and have fun.