Happy Hope Factory’s Post

We’re excited to announce that we’re officially a #KindnessCertifiedCompany! Our team is proud join other liked-minded companies who put kindness first in the work we do, how we treat our employees, and empower the communities we live and work in. We show kindness by committing to positive behavior change through our projects, giving all our employees 16 hours of paid volunteer time off annually, and sponsoring local youth sports teams. How does your company show its kindness? Let us know in the comments below! Kids for Peace/Kindness Certified Companies #BehaviorChange #CBSM #CommunityBasedSocialMarketing #SocialImpact

Our job as communicators is so much more than just helping announce community days of giving and posting photos on social media afterward. Here’s what that “so much more” amounts to: - Identifying and vetting community organizations that not only align with our company mission but also have a sterling reputation. - Sometimes even making the case to do a small amount of work in the community is an uphill battle, requiring lots of behind-the-scenes conversations (what I call “socializing the idea”) as well as a formal leadership team presentation culminating in requests for yet more follow-up before making a final decision. Phew, right? Well, there’s more. - Figuring out how to help employees feel connected to whatever initiatives the company ends up selecting. OR what can be even harder is developing informal talking points to justify why the company has NOT said x or supported y while still making our CEO look good, because we’re often on the front lines receiving these inbound questions from employees. - Partnering with HR/People to ensure enough leaders will be present and as appropriate, evenly distributed among volunteer groups. Specific prep or info sessions for leaders can sometimes be appropriate as well. - Developing guidelines to teams that provide guardrails for posting about their community program participation to their own social media yet still encourage it–a delicate balance. - Seeking permission from community partners to tag them on digital properties like social media and to share photos. External partner approval of the actual posts can sometimes be required as well. Depending on company policies, explicit employee permission may be mandatory, too. - Creating a mechanism for capturing the actual community work. This can include assigning or even hiring photographers or videographers, a portal for employee photo submission, seeking employee testimonials or impact statements from partner orgs. - Cataloging all resources and materials developed for easy future access and in anticipation of the ad hoc questions like, “Do you have the contact for…?” “Do you have that group photo from…?” - Collaborating with HR/People on incorporating captured assets into talent branding (at a minimum, the careers section on the corporate website) and new hire onboarding materials. - Reporting back to the company at the next all hands meeting, supported by other efforts like intranet and digital signage posts, about the collective impact the team had. - Encapsulating the entire community effort in one tidy slide for the next board of directors meeting preread. - Including social impact initiatives in future ESG reports, as appropriate. What else did I miss?

Across the community, sport and voluntary sector the enormous value of people giving their time to help others, without pay, is generally accepted to be of huge benefit. But so often this vital contribution can be difficult to accurately quantify and as a result can often be inadequately recognised. This #Volunteersweek we salute all those organisations - such as Sporting Communities - using good MEL practice to evidence the role played by volunteers.   The Upshot system has always been developed to help organisations track volunteering, monitor volunteers and tell stories of the impactful contribution volunteers make in the sector. #happyvolunteersweek #makeadifference #impact

Here’s a glimpse into the lessons learned and the joy shared along the way. One touching example of building bridges and breaking barriers occurred during our intergenerational Volunteering for Seniors Inc (VFS) A 501(c)(3) organization storytelling program. We paired few volunteers, predominantly university students, with seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds to share and document their life stories. One volunteer, Susan (S)was initially nervous about connecting with a senior from a culture vastly different from her own. However, as they sat down together week after week, listening to the senior's tales of resilience, adventure, and love, Susan found herself captivated by the richness of her partner's experiences. In turn, the senior, who had initially felt hesitant to open up to someone much younger and from a different cultural background, was touched by Susan’s genuine curiosity and empathy. Through the act of storytelling, they discovered common ground in their shared human experiences of joy, sorrow, and hope. As their connection grew stronger, S found herself viewing the world from her partner's perspective, developing a deeper understanding of diversity and the insights that accompany age. Simultaneously, the senior experienced a revitalized sense of purpose and belonging, reassured by the recognition and appreciation of her stories by a younger audience. This encounter illuminated the reality that amidst our diversity, each of us holds stories of significance and wisdom, underscoring the universal threads that unite us as human beings. In the tapestry of our lives, storytelling serves as the thread that weaves together the diverse fabric of humanity, reminding us that in listening to each other's stories, we discover our shared humanity and the beauty of our collective journey. #IntergenerationalStorytelling #VolunteeringForSeniors #BridgingDivides #SharedHumanity #CommunityConnection

🌟 Celebrating #VolunteersWeek: Reflecting on My Role as a University Governor 🌟 As #VolunteersWeek unfolds, I find myself immersed in the fulfilling world of governance at Harper Adams University. 🎓 Being a university governor isn’t just about attending meetings; it’s about shaping the institution’s future, ensuring compliance, and fostering its overall well-being. 🔍 Diving into Details: • This week, our finance and governance committee convenes, and I’m setting aside time to read the detailed reports prepared by our staff. The numbers, strategies, and insights—they all matter. • As a trustee with years of experience, this new finance and governance role adds fresh challenges. But I’m fortunate to have a supportive network of fellow governors who share their wisdom and perspectives. • Beyond formal meetings, I enjoy those candid conversations with colleagues. We delve into organisational culture, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective commitment. 🌱 Personal Growth and Impact: Being a university governor isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about personal growth, professional development, and community impact. 🌿 It’s where passion meets purpose, and where decisions ripple through the lives of students, faculty, and the wider community. 🚀 Join the Conversation: Have you volunteered in governance roles? What excites you about community impact? Let’s connect and celebrate the power of volunteering! 🤝 #VolunteersWeek #EducationMatters #CommunityImpact #HarperAdams

From June 19 through June 28 our staff engaged in The Equity Challenge curated by the United Way of Rhode Island. For the 7 days, we journeyed through topics related to JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). Day 1 of the challenge started with the topic of 'justice.' This took our staff deeper into learning about justice in terms of it being distributive, procedural, retributive, and restorative. Day 2 of the challenge focused on the topic of 'equity.' Our staff took time to reflect on the meanings of equality vs. equity and both sharpen and refine our understandings. Day 3 of the challenge was a strategic activity-based challenge on the topic of 'diversity.' Together we discussed our understanding of diversity, where it shows up in our workplace and outreach, and ways we can make decisions and connections centered on the many aspects of diversity. Day 4 of the challenge started with the topic of 'inclusion.' We took on this topic by individually listening and then taking time to ask how we can partner with our community more to understand and overcome barriers and judgements so that every aspect of our programming is truly inclusive to all - from the youth to the coaches, volunteers, and families. Day 5 of the challenge helped us accept that 'allyship' is crucial and requires time actively making changes and creating a safe space for others. We accept that we must do better to listen and learn from others, talk and trust others to guide us, and desire to work towards being upstanders.  Day 6 of the challenge taught us what 'advocacy' really is and how it changes our communities when we correctly use our voice to seek better for the marginalized and use open minds to discuss solutions to challenges. Day 7 of the challenge, it was Kevin who helped us realize that work towards 'being an accomplice' is how we truly get more involved in our communities. This kind of work focuses on understanding others, communicating misunderstandings, stating discomforts, and sharing accountability. Initial action items for our team are to think about JEDI as we update our three-year strategic goals, prepare and manage program registration, broaden our community outreach, create communications with proper word choices, listen to our volunteers and supporters, respect all, accept change, and raise awareness. Participating, both individually and as a team, will continue to help us be better equity allies, raise awareness, and be a part of a more just world that is highlighting everyone's values, abilities, backgrounds, experiences, family lives, and identities. We want everyone to feel welcomed, respected, and heard at Girls on the Run Rhode Island. We are so thankful for this challenge. It has made us wiser in the ways we use our words and actions so that all are able to reach their limitless potential because they are treated justly, given equity, loved for their diversity, and appropriately included. 

Kicking off a research and strategy project with the 1st Year MBA students at William & Mary – Raymond A. Mason School of Business on "Culture of volunteerism in Generation Z!" The project hits home because I am, of course, not only raising my own Gen Z twin daughters, I work with a pretty amazing team of Gen Z professionals at Arcadis! And having worked with non-profits and for-profit organizations as a volunteer, as well as in roles accountable to mobilize and continuously engage volunteers, I deeply appreciate the triumphs and tribulations of the culture of volunteerism. So, here's a question for you. What primarily drives you to volunteer? And please answer irrespective of what generation you belong to! I'd (and the W&M students would) love to get your perspective! A) To make a positive impact on the community / planet B) To gain new skills and experiences C) To connect with like-minded individuals / network D) To give back to society E) To support a cause or organization you care about F) To improve your mental well-being G) To create a sense of purpose and fulfillment H) Other (please specify) Here's a 2-question survey (which my Gen-Z daughter created for me unsolicited!!) for a quick capture of your responses! Please consider engaging! https://lnkd.in/eG2HCTZ4 Gregory Hacker B S Aishwarya Valli Teja Samhitha Chitturi Sharyna B. Caden Bonoffski Brieanna Hairston Inga Carboni #ImprovingQualityOfLife #MaximizingImpact #PlanetPositiveFuture #CultureOfVolunteerism #Volunteers #GenZ #VolunteerImpact #YouthInAction #GiveBack #GenZVolunteers #CommunityService #ChangeMakers

🎉🌟✊ Juneteenth Celebration with a Purpose! ✊🌟🎉 Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do you have valuable resources, services, or information to share? Then mark your calendars because our Juneteenth Celebration Event needs YOU! This Juneteenth, we're not just commemorating history but shaping the future. 🌟 What's Different About Our Event? We're not just throwing a party; we're sparking positive change! By participating, you're not just celebrating - you're directly impacting lives, connecting with fellow community members, and contributing to the ongoing fight for equality and justice. ✨ Why Should You Join Us? Whether you offer educational resources, health services, career opportunities, or support for our communities, we want YOU to be a part of this special occasion. Plus, here's the kicker - there's no vendor cost for non-profits and resources not looking for profit! That's right, it's completely FREE to join us in making a difference. 📅 Event Details: 🗓 Date: June 15, 2024 🕚 Time: 11am to 3pm 📍 Location: IncYOU Resource Center, 616 East 185th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44119 Ready to be a part of something bigger? Complete the application below and make this Juneteenth celebration one to remember! Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community. 💪✨ https://bit.ly/3UJAPEx #JuneteenthCelebration #CommunityEmpowerment #PositiveChange #Inclusion #Equality #Justice #ClevelandEvents #MakeADifference

JFF is vital to the post-release outcomes for people leaving jails and prisons. There are 40,000+ barriers for people to overcome to have the opportunity to apply their education to meaningful roles that pay a living wage. If you can make it to DC, this event will illuminate the issues and in true JFF fashion, offer actionable solutions. Jobs for the Future (JFF) #horizons