John Mcdonagh
is the Publisher of the
Vancouver Business Journal
Having grown up in the world of sales and marketing, to me commission had a very specific and rewarding connotation; it was how I made a living. Now, I wasn’t in the military, but I’m told commission has a totally different meaning, though still one tied to making a better living. In organizational development circles there’s yet another definition, though they take a bit of liberty with spelling. "Co-mission" is the partnering of two or more on a common mission, most notably the mission of the company. Here is where co-mission comes into play with corporate philanthropy.
You’ll read in a story by reporter Megan Patrick in today’s edition that executive directors of nonprofits and foundations are telling us that corporate gifts are more about personal connections and relationships than mass marketing appeals. Here is an example of the partnering of two or more on a common mission. Employees agree the mission of the company fits with their own and sign on. Then someone in the company – sometimes the owner, sometimes the community relations manager, sometimes the maintenance worker – discovers a nonprofit organization with a need and a mission consistent with their company/employer. It takes one person in a company to engage or connect, to point out the similarity of missions, and from this personal connection the company becomes involved.
As we at the VBJ approach our second anniversary with Profiles of Giving as the backdrop, I looked back at the opportunities we’ve had in just this short 23 months. Month after month there are dozens and dozens of worthy causes from which to chose. From scouting to club sport teams, the senior class drug-free party to emergency homeless shelters, to foundations addressing everything from parks to cancer, all are worthy, all are in need. So, how do we decide? It is the co-mission that makes the difference for us. The areas we supported most these past two years fell into four categories: business success and development, literacy, the community’s quality of life and supporting the disadvantaged – especially children.
It was an interesting exercise. As a new business it would have been easy to say, "We’re too new and can’t afford it." But we didn’t. We found a way to participate at a level we could afford. This very edition and its predecessor last year comprise our lead philanthropic efforts to date. You see, we promise our advertisers that a percentage of the advertising sold for this edition will be donated to an organization dedicated to helping businesses succeed. Last year we were glad to make the local chapter of SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, the recipient of our donation. A review of organizations for this year’s contribution is currently under way.
It is simply implausible to support every organization or cause that approaches us, and I dare say neither can any of you. But we have identified those whose missions are consistent with ours. Just think what could be accomplished through our local nonprofits if each and every business in the region picked just one worthy cause whose mission was consistent with theirs. What a difference we would be making as a business community.
Some of the companies we talked with in preparing this edition told us they didn’t want to "toot our own horn." While tooting one’s horn is an option, it isn’t what this edition is about. Rather it is an opportunity for those businesses participating philanthropically in our community to model that behavior to other businesses, to demonstrate a business can be run profitably and include a philanthropic aspect as well, to invite others who haven’t yet found that personal connection and passion – that co-mission – to join in and make our region more livable. It is a time to thank our employees who participate with us in these endeavors.
However you spell it, the rewards are in the co-mission.
