The Inside Track: Local businesses contribute their expertise to better the community
Friday, 04 May 2012 13:31
Kristy Weaver
Inside Track

Many businesses and their employees devote hundreds of hours of volunteer work annually assisting their local communities. This common bond between nonprofit organizations and local businesses can create invaluable benefit to the business, its employees and the nonprofit organization. Through these partnerships businesses can contribute professional knowledge and expertise to help nonprofits develop programs and serve the community. In turn, businesses have the opportunity to fulfill charitable goals, foster employee growth and satisfaction and nurture professional relationships.

Choosing the right organization
When businesses begin to consider a nonprofit partner, it is important to select an organization that matches the company’s values. Moreover, it is critical to establish goals for your efforts and determine how they can be achieved to ensure a successful outcome for all.

When selecting a nonprofit partner, the following questions should be considered:

· Does the cause(s) of the nonprofit match your business values? And, how do those causes connect to your type of business?

· What expertise and in what capacity can your business contribute to the chosen nonprofit?

· Are your employees already involved with a local nonprofit that would make for a good fit?

A prime example of how a business’s expertise can create a positive impact in the community is the Club Bank volunteer program that has been established in Vancouver by Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington and Pacific Continental Bank.

Through the Club Bank program, Pacific Continental volunteers teach children and adolescents valuable strategies to handle finances. The goal is to prepare teens for a financially stable future, both personally and in business. Club Bank is fully staffed by teens from Boys & Girls Club and is a vital part of the organization’s overall effort to educate young adults on the importance of commerce. Members utilize the bank as a safe place to store their “Club Bucks,” which are earned through good behavior and can be used at the Club Store to purchase items like school supplies and Boys & Girls Club apparel.

Not only have Club Bank members devised an account ledger to keep track of all open accounts, they have also created a simple system for interest-bearing accounts to show the importance of maintaining and building savings. Club Bank has been so successful that Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington has been recognized nationally, winning two awards for their efforts. In addition, Club Bank is one of the most popular educational programs among adolescent members at the Boys & Girls Club.

Creating the right program
When developing a philanthropic program, a business might consider choosing a point person or committee to map out the logistics, including choosing team members, assigning responsibilities, deciding on time commitments and creating a strategy for short- and long-term success.

In addition, it is important for the business to help their nonprofit partner designate specific goals. This enables both the business and the nonprofit to be clear on the planned benefits and outcomes.

Finding the right nonprofit partner or partners for your business, whether it is youth education, family services or community arts can result in stronger company values and culture, immeasurable benefit to the local community and ultimately a better

The group arrived at the Seattle University campus just in time for TW to give her speech to a panel of judges and later, participate in one-on-one interview sessions with each judge.

Big sister, Haylea (BGCSW 2011 Youth of the Year), giving Twristan some advice before her interview panel!

On Wednesday evening, each candidate and their group of devoted supporters were enjoyed a fantastic dinner and dessert. The audience was treated to 13 inspiring speeches from teens across the state of Washington. The room was filled with laughter, tears, and even a great dance performance! BGCSW could not have been more proud of our very outstanding Twristan; she is a great representative for Southwest Washington and she will be an inspiration for all Club kids.

Let’s not forget about the generosity of Microsoft, who donated brand new laptop computers to each of the candidates! This was a wonderful surprise to everyone in the room and needless to say, a helpful tool for these youth to excel in their education.

After the banquet, the candidates had an exciting limo ride around Seattle and the chance to get to know each other outside of the competition. The night ended in Olympia, where the 2012 Youth of the Year clan awaited the decision of the judges.

Early Thursday morning, it was off to Governor Christine Gregoire’s mansion! The Lt. Governor, Brad Owen and Governor Christine Gregoire both addressed the group and spoke to their amazing accomplishments as young teens and their bright futures ahead. Before announcing a winner, Governor Gregoire first awarded a very special candidate with the Governor’s Service Scholarship, an award given in recognition of community service. This $1,000 scholarship was given to BGCSW’s very own Twristan!! Stunned and honored, Twristan accepted her award with a smile stretched across her face.

Twristan and Governor Christine Gregoire

The 2012 Washington State Youth of the Year title was given to Brenna Cherry, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties.

Good luck to all of the fantastic 2012 Youth of the Year candidates!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington would like to congratulate all of the candidates and wish them luck in their upcoming endeavors. We would also like to extend our thanks to Key Bank, who generously sponsored the Washington State Youth of the Year program.

Our five nominees included:

Nicole Condon (Teen Turf Club), is a senior at Battleground High School. Nicole has been a Club member for the past two years and currently serves as a volunteer at the Teen Turf Club. At school, she is involved in Ladies of Leadership, Cheerleading, and Spirit Club. After graduation, Nicole hopes to attend Washington State University and major in psychology.

Adriana Flores (Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse), our youngest nominee, is a freshman at Hudson’s Bay High School. She has a big family and plays an important role in looking after her younger siblings. Adriana joined Club in the 7th grade, and since then has been a great role model for our younger Club members, participating in Junior Staff, College Prep, and our Keystone program.

Samantha Schoene (Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse), is a senior at Columbia River High School. Samantha has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since she was in 2nd grade. As an advocate for giving back to the community, she is a dedicated member of the Keystone program and participates in many Club and community service projects. After graduation, Samantha will play soccer at Lane Community College, where she plans to major in Special Education.

Twristan Waite (Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse), is a senior at Hudson’s Bay High School. Twristan has been a Boys & Girls Club member since 1st grade. An active Club volunteer, Twristan consistently provides a positive role model for Club members of all ages. Twristan is currently the President of the Keystone group, and leads a variety of service projects. Twristan has also established leadership qualities as a member of the Junior Fire Cadet program. After high school, she hopes to pursue a degree in Para medicine and become a firefighter.

Ryan Ziegler (Clinton & Gloria John Clubhouse), is a senior at Hudson’s Bay High School and currently studies diesel technology at the Skills Center. Ryan has been a Boys & Girls Club member since he was in the 2nd grade, and currently serves as a volunteer. Ryan has received the Presidential Service Award in 2010 and 2011 for his outstanding service to Club, totaling over 250 hours. Ryan plans to continue studying diesel technology, join the Air Force, and one day open his own auto repair shop.

Needless to say, our five judges (each a leader in the Clark County community) had a tough time picking just one to name Youth of the Year. After each candidate delivered their speeches and completed an interview session, and a long discussion by the judges- a winner was announced.

The BGCSW 2012 Youth of the Year was awarded to Twristan Waite!

Twristan, or TW, exemplifies the type of Club member we hope our younger members aspire to be.

Twristan Waite, Youth of the Year

Twristan is a senior at Hudson’s Bay High School and an active member of the Fire Cadet program. She has been a proud member of the Boys & Girls Club since the 1st grade, and continues to be a positive role model in and outside of Club. Twristan is currently serving as the President of our Keystone program, a group dedicated to leadership and community service. In fact, Twristan was one of eleven chosen among thousands of Keystone members to be on the National Keystone Conference planning committee.

Twristan has turned challenges into positive learning experiences, and hopes to inspire young Club members everywhere. Twristan “dares to dream big,” and she is a firm believer that through hard work and dedication, anything is possible. After high school, Twristan hopes to attend Central Washington University to further her education in medicine, and soon after, become a firefighter.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles, and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures truly do start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

Twristan will represent Southwest Washington at the state level in March, and all of us at the Boys & Girls Club wish her the best as she moves forward in the Youth of the Year competition!

Starting September 14, 2011, put your $25 enrollment on your Macy’s Credit Card and you’ll get 10% rewards on most Macy’s Card purchases* from your enrollment date through December 31, 2011.

Thanks to you, Macy’s will donate $10, up to $15 million to participating charities.  The first $3 million raised will benefit Go Red For Women.  The balance, up to an additional $12 million, will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund as well as local Boys & Girls Clubs like ours!