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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill It’s a dog eat dog world. There’s cutthroat competition. You’ve got to grow or get out. With so many references to ruthlessness, the corporate world does not do its reputation any favors. The troubling truth is that a lot of people take these clichés at face value and really do pride themselves at being brutal, hardnosed corporate citizens. We have to ask ourselves, if our work life is a reflection of our personality, is this the type of person we are or want to become? Encouraging good citizenship should be one of the largest responsibilities of businesses these days. Good citizenship should stand for business with integrity, ecological sustainability, and social and community initiatives. A humane approach will help connect with the public and moving forward positively will involve growing partnerships with the communities at large. In this light, community service projects have to become part of the mainstream activities of corporations – planned, executed and reported fairly and openly. ‘Check book philanthropy’ can no longer be the best approach to social change, not at a time when – much to the corporate world’s detriment – enough has already been said and not done. Rather, it is important to identify areas of interest within potential community service projects and create distinct groups to focus on those areas. Often the most effective way of starting community service projects is through a volunteer system. This not only helps gather a larger pool of employees, it also means that those who do choose to volunteer will do so with enthusiasm and initiative. There are several areas of community service that said volunteers can choose from, based on the company’s own list of pre-decided priorities. For instance, a company that chooses to work with education, healthcare, rehabilitation and education can offer this selection to its employee-volunteer body, which can then choose what they want to work with, based on areas of personal interest and motivation. This will create distinct groups to focus on the chosen areas of engagement. Here are some areas of community service that would greatly benefit the present generation, the ones to follow and the ecosystems in which both will inhabit. Working with communities Any society is only as good as the environment in which it exists. Working with communities involves embracing this fact and working towards bringing out quality changes by connecting with the people who form the core of that society. Educational initiatives The right kind of education holds the key to a healthier society. It is with this knowledge that education programs should be developed that address economic social and environmental issues and inspire people towards a sustainable lifestyle. Ecological initiatives At the core of life is the environment that creates and nurtures it. This bond is so strong that it would be impossible to separate the two and continue to survive. Corporations can engage with creating a platform that addresses and spreads awareness, providing creative solutions to tackle serious issues such as climate change, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity and pollution. Get more information on: Community Service Projects & Social Responsibility
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