At Leap Solutions we believe in community partnership and investing in organizations that make the community a better place for all. We are part of the community and focus on how best to support it. Each year, we take a conscious approach to our level of community support through the contribution of time, talent, and treasure. We encourage our team to be involved and select the organizations they want to support. Enjoy Rosa’s story of her perspective about community involvement. We are proud of the role she plays as Mayor of the Town of Windsor.
 
 
When I decided to make a change in my career, I realized that I needed to seek an organization that aligned with my desire to be involved in the community. I not only wanted to be a part of a company that acknowledged my involvement but also encouraged and supported me in my pursuits. I landed at Leap Solutions as a result.
 
The partners at Leap Solutions not only believe in the community, but they invest in it as well. As a team, we believe that we thrive when we are not only connecting with the community but also giving back to it. The partners created a community donation program through employee-directed donations to drive that goal. Employees select a nonprofit, identify what it is about the specific organization that inspires our passion, and in the end, the organization receives a direct donation from our company. In addition, Leap matches our donations up to a certain amount. My takeaway is that I can work for a company that cares about my values to help make our community stronger and in turn, support local community-based organizations. My career search aligned with my values, and made my decision to join the team easy.
 
 

 
 
When I decided to run for mayor of the Town of Windsor, the Leap Solutions team supported my vision and cheered me on even though I am the only team member who lives in Windsor. In my role as mayor, I have the flexibility to attend events, volunteer, and promote the Town, while being able to work with a host of wonderful Leap clients. Without the flexibility, I’m not sure I could be as involved in the community as I am.
 
While this is not a testimony of myself, I share my story to challenge you to reflect on your organization and how you are giving back to the community.
 

I’m sure you or your organization have been approached at least once a year, if not dozens of times, to sponsor events or sports teams, volunteer your time, or donate items for fundraisers. Depending on the structure of your business, there may be an annual budget that can be used to provide sponsorships or donations. Besides looking at the financial investment, do you or your organization take other factors into consideration when deciding the resources (time, talent, or treasure) to be donated to the community-based program?
 
How much time is spent researching the organization? Are employees polled and asked what they would like to see the company support? Involving employees in this decision-making process brings pride and emphasis on the company culture. The company’s actions set an example for employees and encourage them to use their own time and resources to give back to the community.
 
 

 
 
If you consider the rapid nature of our consumer world and influence, what and how you invest in the community can quickly go viral and impact the bottom line of your company in a positive or negative way. Is this taken into consideration when making a decision? With the click of a button, the new generation of consumers can bring up all kinds of information about a company before making a purchase. If the consumer wants to support companies that give back, what can you do to truly show you care about your community?
 
There are many ways the companies and individuals can contribute to the community