Making Time Count Where it Matters through Volunteerism

Between professional and personal obligations, it’s easy to over commit to tasks that feel more like “have to do’s” than “get to do’s.” Sometimes for me, if it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t happen.

Fortunately, as an employee of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, I get to incorporate into my schedule something that I enjoy doing as an individual and with my colleagues: volunteering.

As the Market Executive for the Heartland area at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, senior executive on Bank of America’s St. Louis Leadership team and an active member of the St. Louis community, I am committed to being a volunteer advocate. In my 32 plus years at the bank and as a lifelong St. Louis resident, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that volunteerism has on our community – and there is never a shortage of worthy causes to support.

In a busy world, volunteers create connections, change lives and help build prosperous communities. We should make a conscious effort to recognize the commitment invested by volunteers – and make the leap to volunteer in our amazing city. You’ll be surprised at not only the external impact you can make, but also the many personal benefits as well.

Research shows that volunteerism can boost confidence and social skills leading to stronger relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment. Perhaps that is why according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics more than 62 million people volunteered at least once between September 2014 and September 2015. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that people who volunteer are happier with their work-life balance.

This is why many companies encourage volunteerism among employees and implement programs that support the passion and commitment of employee volunteers. Being a good volunteer is important. I am fortunate to serve on the Board of the St. Louis Community College Foundation, whose mission is to provide scholarships for low income college-bound student, as well as the board of the Hawthorn Foundation, an organization of Missouri-based business and community leaders committed to promoting economic development state-wide in partnership with the Department of Economic Development. Additionally for the last eight years, I have been actively involved with the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

My Bank of America colleagues and I are fortunate to be able to volunteer up to two hours each week during work hours and can further support organizations where we volunteer regularly by applying for grants on their behalf. Putting our interests and expertise toward a worthy cause is rewarding and meaningful, not to mention a great way to build new skillsets.

So if you’re looking to spring into volunteerism, now is a terrific time to start. In St. Louis, several of us have been working with Habitat for Humanity to build move-in ready homes for neighbors in need. These volunteer hours contribute to our 2016 goal of logging 10,000 hours spent serving the St. Louis community. Last year, our St. Louis Bank of America colleagues achieved 20,396 hours as part of a total 2 million volunteer hours given across the company.

There are several ways for you to get involved on Giving Tuesday on November 29 and beyond, whether you’re looking for a one-time activity, a recurring commitment or an initiative that you can take part in as your schedule allows.

Plan a volunteering event with your family, friends or co-workers. Determine what types of nonprofits you’d like to volunteer with and reach out to them to see if there are any activities that your group can be involved in. There are many websites that can help you find the right volunteer opportunity based on your interests, skill sets and location.

Utilize your skills. Many nonprofits are looking for volunteers who have personal talents or professional skills. Board service with a nonprofit is another meaningful way to share your expertise, from financial skills to communications, in order to address needs in the community. Through my service with United Way of Greater St. Louis and my board affiliations, I can confidently say that I have learned as much as I have given back, and that is something to be proud of.

Learn more about your workplace policies and opportunities. Ask your company if it is planning any volunteer activities in the upcoming months and if not, offer to coordinate one. Remind your company of the great benefits of volunteering and ask about any special programs that it may have for employees who volunteer. Set goals and keep track of your efforts. You’ll be surprised how they can add up collectively. In addition, if your company is in a specialized industry, find out if it could provide its services pro bono to a nonprofit.

I encourage you to take an active role in helping our community thrive. Without volunteers, many organizations would not be able to continue doing the good work that makes St. Louis the wonderful place that it is. I hope you’ll join me in making a difference.

Marilyn Bush is the Market Executive for Commercial Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in St. Louis.