Can CSI be both fun and fulfilling?

Good news!

CSI programmes can be both fun and fulfilling.

Its About Balance

Balancing enjoyment with meaningful impact is key to maximising engagement and effectiveness. If a programme is all work and no play, employees may feel drained, leading to decreased participation and effectiveness. If a programme is too frivolous and lacks depth, its impact will not strike a chord.

One of the happy by-products of giving arises when one shares their passion (something that sparks joy) and skills to help others, which in turn provides the volunteer with a euphoric feeling and sense of validation.

The Perfect Match

💡It increases participation: Enjoyable volunteering activities attract and retain employee interest. If an activity is enjoyable, employees are more likely to participate repeatedly and spread the word about their experience, leading to sustained engagement over time.

💡It boosts workplace culture: A well-known by-product of volunteering is it how it boosts morale and employee job satisfaction. It can bring together employees from different departments, encouraging cross-departmental interaction. These volunteering activities don't have to cut into work time excessively and can be as short as 30-minute packing events or creative eco-friendly to making tasks and can serve as a break from the regular work routine, reducing stress and improving mental health.

💡It promotes relationship building: Volunteering creates stronger connections between employees and the communities they serve, leading to lasting relationships and deeper community impact as well as lead to more sustained engagement over time.

💡Adding depth to your values: Bringing a company's values to life can be easier said than done, getting employees to live and truly embody these values can be even harder. However, when this does happen, you know you have

Let's tap into the fourth reason - adding depth to your values

As part of our drive to promote and create awareness of how employees can live our values, the idea of a charity challenge came to put a spotlight on TWO very specific values: CARE & COLLABORATION. Charity work often require individuals to take on a new role or tasks, which in turn can help with developing skills such as leadership, communication, planning and organising, problem solving, negotiating, I mean – the list is endless. These skills can be valuable in both personal and professional life. Supporting a cause like this can leave a long-lasting impact on these kids, communities in which they live and potential where SANLAM business operates as well. This is a meaningful way to create a legacy that reflects your values and believes.

forgood's client, Sanlam encourage their employees to volunteer their time and donate goods to Causes in South Africa through their Employee Volunteering Platform, United for Impact.

Employees are also encouraged to set up their own initiatives and run passion projects which in turn create great impact.

One of Sanlam's Business Units, SRS Business, recently ran a Charity Challenge as part of promoting two of the company's key values: Care and Collaboration.

The Business Unit's Fun and Engagement Squad headed up the Challenge. Team member, Gavin Matseke shares more on the initiative.

Our mission was simple, yet powerful: to create personalised dignity gift packs for boys and girls filled with goodies that would bring delight and warmth to their hearts.

The staff was split into 13 teams with 20 people in each team across the business and came together not only to make a direct and meaningful impact in the lives of these children but to also have the opportunity to tap into their creativity, compassion and the spirit of teamwork for a worthwhile Cause, Ukholo Home for the Kids.

The feedback was absolutely positive. Everyone enjoyed the thrill of competing for the prize, but more than anything, it was heartwarming to see the recipients of the packed goodies so overwhelmed by the gesture. It was also a great opportunity for people to network, engage and work very closely with colleagues from other teams that they don’t normally work closely with.

The challenge started in June, and the teams had until 3 July to present their final product. The judging and selection of the winner was based on how creative the packaged products were, and how each team worked together.

The winning team was announced on 8 July 2024 and all collected gift packs were presented to Ukholo Home for the Kids.

Well done to Gavin and the SRS business! Each Child at Ukholo Home received a pack of goodies. Over 1000 non-perishables were collected and over R5000 cash.