Newsroom
Good to Great in Giving:
Checkbook Philanthropy Is Good. Holistic Philanthropy Is Great.
By Victor R. Jury Jr.
President and CEO
Summit Electric Supply
(as published in the New Mexico Business Weekly May 23, 2008)
While there's nothing wrong with giving financially to worthy causes as corporate
citizens, when we limit our philanthropic efforts and commitments to writing a check,
we really shortchange ourselves - not only in the sense that we limit our personal
growth, but also we limit our potential impact in our community and the lives of
others.
That's why checkbook philanthropy is good, but "holistic philanthropy" is great. Great
for people, great for communities and great for business.
Holistic philanthropy has three components:
- Work - Getting involved in making our community better by contributing
our time and our energy to a cause that we have a passion for.
- Wealth - Giving a portion of our financial blessings to bless others in our
community.
- Wisdom - Serving on boards, committees or teams to share our
experience and knowledge for the betterment of our community.
When we get involved as human beings in lending our time and energy to
community organizations, we have a chance to bless and be blessed. We grow in
innumerable ways - in our capacity to love others, in our understanding and
empathy for others, in our appreciation for our blessings, in our conviction to be a
force for good, and more.
In his book "Man's Search for Meaning," concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl
pointed out that we require more than sustenance, status or self gratification in our
lives. We ultimately are seeking meaning. Giving holistically to the community is an
extraordinary path to finding meaning in our lives. We shouldn't - nor should we
make our team members - settle for less.
As business people, we recognize we are not here just to extract things from the
local economy, but to contribute to the quality of life in our communities.
I can personally attest to the power of the holistic approach to philanthropy as a
businessman. Once we move past the basics of an employment relationship with our
associates (pay, benefits, work environment, career opportunities, professional
development, etc.), we need to make them proud of where they work and encourage
them to be a part of contributing to their community.
Doing so builds loyalty, teamwork and deeper, stronger relationships. These are the
types of essential elements to business success that money cannot buy.
And I attribute much of Summit's success over the past 30 years to our commitment
to encouraging our associates to find this extra dimension in both life and work.
One means is by providing a financial match when associates get involved in
fundraising activities that benefit worthy causes.
Sometimes these activities are simply spontaneous acts of compassion, like when
one department discovered a woman's husband, serving in Iraq, would not be home
for Christmas last year.
The department decided to take up a collection to provide gift cards that could be
used in the store on base for his entire unit (150 soldiers from the Rio Rancho Army
National Guard who were all stationed in Baghdad).
Word of the department's efforts spread around Summit and associates raised
$2,365 in just five days. Summit matched the donation.
We are blessed to have some really great people at Summit. And part of being a
good person, in my opinion, is having a heart that shows. Over the years, we've
seen our associates' pour out their hearts in many ways.
I'm proud we've been able to facilitate the expression of the hearts of our associates
both toward one another and as citizens of their communities.
We at Summit may still have a long way to go on the journey, but I think we have
chosen the right course by focusing on this holistic approach to philanthropy.
I would encourage you to try it in your life and business as well.
