Author: Jamie Larsen

St. Patrick’s Day is all about wearing green, searching for four leaf clovers, and… volunteering?

Yup, you heard us right! 

This year, we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style by giving lucky do-gooders a discount toward an event. All you have to do is contact us at contact@generus.com with a few words about why you enjoy volunteering.

We will email you a coupon for 10% off any corporate volunteering events if you reach out in March. We currently have projects helping refugees, kids in pediatric care, and older adults.

Why Volunteer with Generus?

When you give back with Generus, you gain so much more. Reach out to us today for more information about our projects or to learn more about our virtual, hybrid, and in-person volunteering experiences.

4 Reasons Why Companies Should Revisit Their CSR Strategies

The days when business was just about profitability are long gone. 

Today, consumers are more concerned about a company’s external and internal efforts to promote positive values and social change than ever before. As a result, businesses are expected to be involved in the community, take a public stance on current events, introduce civic programs, and more.  

Enacting a purpose-driven CSR or corporate social responsibility strategy will help your company improve its impact and meet social goals. So if you want to create a long-lasting effect, keep reading. It might be time to enhance your CSR strategy. 

 

An effective CSR strategy not only creates positive change and impact within the community but a results-driven strategy also helps companies:

1.Recruit, retain, and engage employees

An effective CSR strategy results in employees that are more engaged, positive, and willing to bring their “whole selves to work.” When workers can show up as their authentic selves, they are more engaged and innovative. In addition to encouraging productivity, CSR makes companies appear more attractive to prospective employees as well. So if your company is struggling to retain its employees, embedding CSR into the workplace can significantly strengthen employee morale. 

2.Build and solidify brand reputation

Your CSR strategy differentiates you from companies that aren’t committed to corporate social responsibility. Aligning your CSR strategy with the company’s mission and values will help strengthen its brand credibility and image and help attract the new influx of consumers who care about the corporation’s social efforts. 

3.Encourage customer loyalty

Consumers care about corporation’s social responsibility so much that they’re willing to pay extra for it. CSR policies positively impact consumers’ perception of the company and help build their trust, which leads to more consumer loyalty and commitment to the brand. 

4.Increase their bottom lines

Findings from more than 200 studies show that CSR can increase a company’s market value up to 6% over 15 years.  When consumers are willing to pay more to support companies doing social good, companies can add on a price premium of “as much as 20%.” Essentially, companies increase their economic value just by doing the right thing. 

 

The bottom line

An effective CSR strategy affects more than just the greater good of the community. If it’s time for your company to revisit its CSR policies, consider initiating virtual volunteering programs to engage your employees remotely and serve the community. Employees who volunteer will feel more connected to their coworkers, leaders, and community, leading to a more innovative and enriched workplace.

Are you ready to revamp your CSR initiatives? Contact Generus for more information about how virtual volunteering can strengthen your CSR programming. 

What is CSR?

CSR, or corporate social responsibility, is a strategy adopted by companies in support of the environment or local community. Simply put, CSR can involve making donations, investing in more ethical business practices, or participating in volunteer projects. But CSR isn’t a one-size-fits-all initiative. Different companies will have different goals and different reasons behind those goals. But the important thing to remember is, CSR matters. If you don’t already have a CSR strategy, it’s time to create one.

Why is it Important?

Consumers and employees alike prefer companies who care. And by implementing CSR practices, you’re able to show that care while also bettering your community. In this respect, CSR is about putting your beliefs into practice: if you’re truly committed to making a difference, go out and make one. In turn, you’ll improve your company’s reputation and customer loyalty while boosting employee morale and productivity.

How Can I Improve My CSR Strategy?

CSR initiatives should draw upon the framework of your company. For example, if your company wants to revolutionize the tech space, donate funds to a technical nonprofit. And if you’re focused on healthcare, volunteer your time at a hospital or clinic. 

CSR goals should also provide employees with volunteer opportunities they desire. Fortunately, figuring out which causes matter to them is easy: you can simply ask them. And once they tell you, you can set up events with those causes in mind.

Other Benefits of Strong CSR Goals

A company’s CSR goals are an indication of their morality. Consumers want to work with ethical companies, and they’re more likely to invest in you if you invest in society. Additionally, working toward CSR goals as a company allows your company to grow closer and more aligned. It’s impossible not to bond when you’re doing good together, especially when you both value the cause you’re working toward. In this respect, meeting CSR goals doesn’t just benefit the community–it also benefits your team. 

While CSR goals are obviously important, they can be difficult to plan. In the world of COVID-19 especially, gathering your team in support of a cause may seem daunting. Thankfully, Generus offers remote volunteering opportunities to help improve teamwork and meet your CSR goals.

Reach out to us today for more information and to schedule your virtual volunteering event.

Workplace volunteering is essential for increasing employee engagement and retention. In fact, 60% of employees want to work for a company that supports volunteering, and over 70% want to work for a company whose mission and values align with their own. But what does it mean for these values to align? What are employees
looking for in their volunteer work?

Thanks to a survey from America’s Charities, we now have those answers, which we’ve compiled into the infographic below.

Workplace Volunteering by the Numbers

As you can see, employees appreciate volunteer experiences that bring them closer to their coworkers and organizational leaders. Additionally, they want to play a role in choosing which nonprofits and charities to support. If you assign volunteer projects without consulting them—or if you don’t focus on the teamwork aspect of giving back—you’re not truly aligning their wants with your volunteer offerings. However, if you choose projects that matter to your employees, they’ll feel heard, supported, and valued. And if you incorporate team building activities into your volunteer work, you’ll create more tightly-knit, productive teams.

Employees also value organization and want to take part in volunteer projects with clear goals. They enjoy when technology is incorporated into these projects, so long as that technology is easy to use. For these reasons, it’s important to plan projects that are straightforward, simple, and rewarding. And in order to do so, it’s best to partner with a volunteer company who can handle that planning for you.

Generus makes volunteer work easy by scheduling and coordinating your virtual volunteer projects. When choosing a project, we survey your employees to better understand their ideals and interests. We also prioritize team building activities and make it easy for employees to connect, no matter where they are. Furthermore, we provide the technology to assess employee engagement in each activity and to make your experience even better next time. In short, we understand what your employees value about volunteering, and our projects align with those values.

If you’d like to plan your next volunteer event with Generus, reach out today. And if you’d like to learn more about who we are and what we do, click here to learn more about our offerings.

MLK Day celebrates the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. And in 1994, the holiday was officially designated as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Ever since, hundreds of thousands of Americans have embraced the annual holiday by devoting their time, money, and labor to nonprofits across the country. But why is service so intertwined with the holiday? And what did service mean to Martin Luther King Jr.?

Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.?

Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist who committed himself to racial justice. He fought for systemic change and was instrumental in improving labor rights, securing the right to vote for Black people, and protesting Jim Crow. His goal was to create a world in which all men and women would be treated as equals, and he wished to be remembered as someone who devoted his life to serving others. In that spirit, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a time to honor Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on community values, committing to anti-racist work, and making a difference in society.

How Can I Devote Myself to Systemic Change?

Systemic change starts with individual change. It’s important to actively reflect on ways in which our views and actions are harmful, even inadvertently. This is especially true when it comes to racism.

In order to become anti-racist, start by buying books about anti-racism from Black-owned bookstores. You can also donate to organizations committed to helping BIPOC communities and social initiatives. And if you see someone being racist, call it out, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Another way to honor King on this day of service is by volunteering. Our wonderful nonprofit partners could use your help, and we’d love to set up a project.

If you’d like to make a difference and serve your community, reach out to us today.

 

 

Ever since the pandemic began, the “new normal” has felt anything but. We’re still trying to figure out the best work setup for our employees’ health and needs. And we’re still trying to meet the ever-changing business demands brought about by new COVID variants. All of this can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you can easily start 2022 off right.

If you want to meet—and exceed—your 2022 goals, make sure to:

Check In with Your Employees

COVID has been a source of tension, both in and outside of work. We all want what’s best for our employees’ mental and emotional health. So, why not start by asking them?

Instead of assuming you know what your employees need, normalize monthly—or weekly—check-ins. This way, you’ll be able to gauge how they’re doing before stressors become too much. Additionally, you’ll have a better idea of what new strategies can best help your team.

On that note:

Coordinate a Flexible Remote Work Strategy

Even when the pandemic ends, you might need to shift to remote work again. Whether you’re having an in-office tech issue or car problems that prevent you from driving there, you don’t want to be caught off guard. Furthermore, the science shows that, for many employees, remote work simply works best. And it’s time to start acknowledging why embracing—and continuing—remote work can be an investment.

Similarly:

Invest in Volunteering

We’ve already talked about why volunteering is an investment, and that’s only going to continue being true in 2022. In fact, it might become even more of an investment going forward. Younger generations are especially interested in companies that give back. And society in general wants to work with companies who are doing good for the community. Plus, employees who give together tend to be closer to each other and more productive.

In short, if your company’s not already volunteering together, 2022 is the time to start.

For more information about how to start 2022 off right by participating in a remote volunteering project, contact us today.

It’s the season to be generous, and who knows more about generosity than us? Generus is offering a gift of our own this year, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

What is a Generus Gift?

This holiday season, for every event you purchase for a valued client or corporate team, we’ll be giving you a special coupon. We could only get Santa to guarantee this coupon on events purchased by January 15th, 2022, so make sure to reach out to us before then!

Giving a Generus event is easy: all you have to do is message us and we’ll send specific details regarding the type of event you want to purchase. We’ll then send you the information for your giftee, get in touch with them, and schedule their event. Finally, we’ll send you the information to get a discounted event for your own company.

Why Gift a Generus Event?

Gift giving isn’t just a love language: it’s also a scientifically proven way to strengthen bonds and boost morale. And since you’re giving someone the chance to give back themselves, those bonds and morale will only continue to strengthen. 

A Generus event is also an accessible way to show someone you care, since all giftees attend events remotely. And because we have a variety of volunteer options to choose from, you can rest assured that your gifted project will be both meaningful and enjoyable.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Reach out to us today and learn more about Generus gifts.

Generus loves generosity, so you’ve probably already guessed that we’re big fans of GivingTuesday. This international movement embraces the holiday spirit by encouraging participants to give back and do good. In celebration, we wanted to spotlight a few nonprofits that you can support today—and every day—through donations and volunteer work. Although we can’t list all our favorite nonprofits, we hope this list provides a starting point for ways to better our world, spread kindness, and get involved. 

Ascentria Care Alliance

Ascentria means “rising together,” and Ascentria Care Alliance is devoted to helping vulnerable communities grow and thrive. One of their current goals is to help resettle hundreds of Afghan refugees in New England. In order to do so, they’ll require donations for housing, legal aid, and other essential resources. If you’d like to help Ascentria in their mission to help others, you can donate or share their social posts. 

Partners in Health

Partners in Health provides healthcare to communities where treatment is inaccessible or unaffordable. They believe that healthcare is a human right, and they treat every patient like a family member. The work they do saves lives, and through your donation, they’ll be able to partner with even more organizations and help even more people. 

Message of Hope

Hospitals can be scary, especially for chronically ill children. But with Message of Hope’s Happy Hope Bags, these children will have brighter and more hopeful experiences. Message of Hope provides fun gifts and activities to make hospital stays less overwhelming. Their bags include only hospital-approved games and toys, such as coloring books and stickers. By donating to Message of Hope, you’ll become a Hope hero and bring joy to a child in need.

Whatever help you can offer this GivingTuesday makes a huge difference to these nonprofits. And of course, help doesn’t stop with monetary donations. Through Generus’s virtual volunteer events, you’ll be able to give back to your community while improving company morale, productivity, and teamwork. If you want to make an even bigger impact, consider signing up for one of our virtual volunteer projects today.

 

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and there’s a lot to be thankful for this year. We’re slowly putting the pandemic behind us, returning to the office, and generally regaining a sense of normal. Your company has been through so much these last two years, and so, too, have your employees. For that reason, it’s important to let them know just how much you appreciate them, and what better way than by volunteering together?

Here are three ways virtual volunteering will show your employees you’re thankful for them.

Acknowledge Employee Talents 

Just like with office work, virtual volunteering requires specific talents. Some employees are better at hands-on tasks while others are more skilled at organization or management. By choosing a project that honors these diverse interests and talents, you’re acknowledging your employees’ work and abilities as individuals. Essentially, you’re showing that each and every one of your employees is important to your business—it wouldn’t be a team without them.

Center Employee Interests

Employees want to work on projects that are important to them, and virtual volunteering gives them access to so many options. By working on a project that an employee is personally invested in, you’re showing that you respect and acknowledge their interests. In turn, your employee will know you see them as an individual, and simultaneously, they’ll feel more connected to your team. In other words, by being part of something that matters to them (their cause), you’re thanking them for being a part of what matters to you (your company).

Deepen Connections

Every employee wants to feel connected to their team, and virtual volunteering allows them to build deeper bonds. These bonds are helpful around the office on collaborative tasks—they’re also useful for networking. Plus, you’ll get to know your employees better and develop an even greater appreciation for their work. Essentially, by volunteering together, you’re helping them with their future careers. They’ll have a better idea of your company, and you’ll have a better idea of how they can grow within it.

Thanksgiving is a time for giving back, but it’s not the only time. If you want to be generous all year long, reach out to Generus and schedule your virtual volunteer project today.