As we continue to highlight 360 EEC team members in recognition of Volunteer Canada’s International Volunteer Year, our next profile is on Ilish Flynn, People Experience & Communications Coordinator.
Ilish is the energy behind many of 360 EEC’s volunteer efforts, organizing the team for participation in the Calgary Corporate Challenge, which includes collective and individual volunteerism, as well as company-wide volunteer initiatives.
In fact, she was instrumental in the formation of 360 EEC’s paid volunteer hour program. In response to requests from employees wishing to volunteer in their communities and their children’s schools, dedicated paid volunteer hours were developed and provided to eligible employees to meet that need, and focus on creating a deep charitable impact. Read below for her description of how the program came to be:
“I am big on water-cooler conversations as that’s where some of the best ideas start to take shape.
360 EEC’s paid volunteer hour program was actually born out of one of those conversations and a few observations.
At the time, we had just rolled out a new company vision which included a component focused on creating a “Deep Charitable Impact.” Around the same time, we were hearing from employees who wanted to volunteer in their communities or help at their kids’ schools but were having to use vacation days or unpaid time to do it.
So, it got us thinking. How do we encourage people to support our vision beyond traditional giving opportunities? How do we create meaningful impact in all the communities where we operate, especially as we continue to grow? And how do we make volunteering more accessible and personal to each employee?
Then came the lightbulb moment.
What if employees had dedicated paid volunteer hours they could use toward the causes and organizations that matter most to them? At the same time, we could continue offering company volunteer opportunities during work hours so people could still participate without using their balance.
Since launching the program in May of last year, our team has used a total of 397.50 volunteer hours, and the number continues to grow. That’s 397.50 hours spent giving back to the communities where we live and work, while also supporting employee wellbeing and connection.
For me personally, volunteering is about physically reconnecting with community. In a world where so much interaction happens behind a screen, volunteerism creates opportunities to step into your community, build relationships, and make a tangible impact.
Looking back on that original conversation, I’m proud of what this initiative has grown into and the organizations our people have been able to support along the way. I’m also incredibly proud to work for a company that values volunteerism, supports employee-led ideas, and genuinely walks the walk when it comes to community impact.”
Thank you, Ilish, for supporting us in giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play.
