Doug Sharpe
President of Elasto Proxy
Are you more likely to tell your friends about a good experience or a bad one? In recent years, books like Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000 have warned organizations about the power of disgruntled people in our hyper-connected age. Blogs and social media channels make it easy to complain to a large audience – and sometimes bad news travels fast.
But what about the good work that a great group is doing? Is there a way to encourage your neighbors to support a charitable organization that is meeting a diverse range of needs? Of course there is! The Elasto Proxy blog entry that you’re reading proves it. In September, our Boisbriand-based company will also visit neighbors face-to-face to encourage them to support Centraide Laurentides.
What is Centraide Laurentides?
Centraide Laurentides is a non-profit organization that helps a network of community assistance groups throughout the Laurentians, the region north of Montreal that Elasto Proxy calls home. By collecting donations from businesses and individuals, Centraide supports food banks, provides tuition assistance, buys eyeglasses, and even pays for children’s visits to museums.
Although Centraide Laurentides is part of the United Way, this organization is independent. There are 18 Centraide branches in Quebec, but all of the money that is donated is used to help our local community. Last year, nearly 9 out of 10 Elasto Proxy employees contributed to Centraide Laurentides via Direct Deposit paycheck deductions. For every dollar employees gave, the company added 2.5 dollars more.
Community Outreach and Increased Involvement
Elasto Proxy continues to support Centraide Laurentides in 2013 and is grateful for the awards the charitable organization has given us. Last year, our family-owned company received the Grand Prize of Excellence for encouraging other employers to donate. Elasto Proxy also earned awards for our rate of employee participation (86%) and for year-over-year increase (36%) between 2011 and 2012.
This year, we will expand our efforts on behalf of Centraide Laurentides by appealing to our neighbors in the industrial park where Elasto Proxy is based. First, we will mail invitations and follow-up with phone calls. In September, Elasto Proxy employees will walk throughout the industrial park, visit neighbors door-to-door, and discuss this year’s fundraising campaign face-to-face.
Help Spread the Word
Is it true that people are more likely to tell their friends about a bad experience than a good one? Perhaps. In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, it’s now easier than ever to complain. But what about you? Will you share this blog entry via social media, or perhaps leave a comment below? And will you tell your neighbors about the good work of Centraide Laurentians?
