Many non-profit organizations rely on the service of volunteers to help their programs and services function efficiently and effectively. Milwaukee non-profits are no different and Brilliance Business Solutions has made a commitment to provide three half-day opportunities for its employees to volunteer as a team with various local non-profit organizations and 4 hours to volunteer with organizations of their choosing throughout the year. This employee benefit of paid time off to volunteer emphasizes Brilliance’s commitment that service is life-giving and should not create a hardship to the livelihood of employees who choose to participate. ”We value each other as whole people, including our spiritual lives, family lives, and work lives. We believe the most creative companies are those who allow people to be authentic to who they are. We treat everyone with respect.”

While camaraderie and team building from the shared experience of service is a benefit to the whole team, the main purpose and goal of Brilliance’s volunteering is to accomplish tasks the organizations feel are most helpful and beneficial to their operations. “Regardless of our formal positions of leadership, we prioritize serving our clients, colleagues, and community as work that gives our life meaning.”

We see this time as an opportunity to bring extra people power to organizations that thrive on volunteer support, no strings attached. With the only requirements from us being the day and time, we are willing to complete whatever tasks are asked of us if it is of value to the partner organization.

Participating in Brilliance Business Solution’s Employee Volunteer Program is a way to serve the community, enhances the friendships within Brilliance (aka teambuilding), gives personal satisfaction to staff and provides them with the types of volunteering they want to do. To a lesser extent, volunteering supports the business, is a way to support each other, and has helped some staff to reach personal development goals.

Brilliance staff are particularly drawn to volunteer activities that include building, repairing, maintaining or beautifying physical spaces, and supporting charitable events. Staff are also interested in opportunities to mentor, tutor, train or coach youth and adults, as well as assist in disaster or emergency response situations.