This post is part of a series profiling the2014 #SoGood Awardwinners announced at June’sState of Innovation Forum. These worthy winners are companies and individuals who are heavily contributing to social good in Boston and beyond. Read their stories to discover how you can give back this summer.
William Gallagher Associates is an organization that lives by the maxim “Always leading the way.” Thus far, the Boston-based insurance brokerage firm has honored this mission, setting the industry standard in client service, value, quality, and innovation. But there is one particular area where William Gallagher Associates is a true pioneer, a proven leader surpassing its fellow firms: social responsibility.
Unlike many corporate organizations, WGA applies their mission to “be the best” beyond the professional realm. The company is deeply committed to serving the local community through fundraising, donations, and volunteering. For WGA, this means so much more than occasional handouts or once-a-year volunteer days. Just as they exceed client expectations, William Gallagher Associates takes their commitment to social good to the next level by undertaking multiple initiatives, including sock drives, bake sales and service projects, to support a multitude of organizations from the Boston Food Bank to Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.
William Gallagher Associates do not simply preach social responsibility; they’ve made it company policy.
“A survey determined that WGA’s community involvement [is] important to our colleagues,” Phil Edmundson, Chairman and CEO of WGA, said. “We further defined our statement of purpose to include ‘Advancing social responsibility’ to highlight WGA’s role in society.”
To honor this purpose and maintain a high level of activism, WGA formed theCommunity Involvement Committee. The Committee serves to encourage employee involvement and celebrate the company’s contributions to the community.
We sat down with the Corporate Initiative Social Good Award Winner to learn the story behind WGA’s passion for activism and what’s next on their social good agenda.
BostInno: What sparked your company’s involvement in social causes?
Phil Edmundson: Over the past 30 years, WGA has always strived to make positive contributions to our community around us.
How do you foster a company culture of social activism?
WGA’s Community Involvement Committee was formed six years ago to oversee our firm’s efforts to give back. Besides making donations to various non-profit organizations and worthy causes that our employees are involved with, this committee also encourages employees to participate in volunteer efforts and contribute time, talent and leadership in various ways to organizations that serve to better our local communities. We celebrate this at our all-hands meetings.
Why do you integrate social good into company culture?
Teamwork and collaboration are two of the core values at WGA, so working together to service our local non-profits and organizations that need our help has really made our team stronger. Our leadership, in fact all of our colleagues, want to be part of an organization that is making the world a better place.
What kind of feedback have you received from both employees and the communities you serve about your social initiatives?
WGA recently underwent a visioning project that examined what was most important to our employees. A survey determined that WGA’s community involvement were important to our colleagues. And in the end, one of the items to come out of the process is that we further defined our statement of purpose to include “Advancing social responsibility” to highlight WGA’s role in society.
Is there one local cause or community project your company is particularly passionate about?
We have been regularly sponsoring monthly meals for one of our clients, Father Bill’s Mainspring in Quincy. They are an organization that provides housing and supportive services to people struggling with homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.
We have a team of employees that coordinates the purchasing of the meal, another group that volunteers to serve, and yet another group of employees that make homemade desserts for the meal. It’s become such a rewarding experience for those involved that each month we never have a shortage of volunteers, or homemade special treats for the staff at Father Bill’s and guests.
What advice would you give to other companies striving to create a corporate culture with a soul?
I think it’s important to illustrate the importance of community and giving in the company’s values, statement of purpose, and values. It may start at the top, but fostering the sense of community is crucial at all levels in an organization.
What are some of the most memorable experiences your employees have had during their participation in charitable activities?
A few years ago, the entire company took one afternoon to clean up 9 different parks around the city. Almost 200 employees split up on buses and went to work. We joined up after to share stories and it was a long day, but a very rewarding one for all.
How have you seen your projects strengthen the local Boston community?
With many of these organizations facing ever-rising costs, loss of funding, and an increasing demand for their precious services, there has never been a better time for us all to reach out and try making a difference. We all have a responsibility to strengthen the communities around us. We are happy to be in position where we can give back.
