Tools and Tactics are replicable templates Connectors can use to multiply and amplify action and collaboration in their communities. We find they also make for great stories about people all over the world who are promoting good in interesting ways. 

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A great way to bring your organization together while benefiting your local community is to organize a volunteer service project with your coworkers. For extra credit, consider putting money allocated for company BBQs or parties back into the community and host a service project with it instead.

In 2001, global visual computing company NVIDIA began directing funds originally intended for their annual holiday party toward volunteer service projects that involve employees, their families, and the community. Since then, they’ve hosted “a party with a purpose” each December.

Below, Megan O’Leary, Idealist’s Community Relations Manager and a City Year alum, reflects on her personal experience working with NVIDIA on their fun service projects.

Team NVIDIA!

Q: Can you tell us about some particular times that stand out in your mind when you remember your time working on this project?

A: I was lucky to work as a member of the City Year team with NVIDIA on Project Inspire in 2009, 2010, and 2011. As a member of the planning team, my greatest fears leading up to the service days were always, “Will anyone actually show up? Will we have enough coffee? Will people have fun and be glad they came out?”

But each year on a chilly Saturday in December starting at 8:00 am, the volunteers did come, there was enough coffee, and NVIDIA employees told us they were proud to work for a company that decided to forgo their annual holiday party in favor of coming together as a team and contributing to the community.

I’ve seen firsthand that volunteer service projects can be a powerful way to build bridges across teams of employees, and can also be an effective way to collaborate with communities and neighborhoods to meet critical needs.

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To learn more, read the Tool and Tactic here. Connectors, have you had experience facilitating a team volunteer project at your workplace? Tell us about it in the comments!