Berkshire Bank implemented an exciting program in 2008 which undertakes community service projects that employees participate in during business hours. Each employee receives 8 hours of paid leave to participate in volunteer projects put on by the bank. This Employee Volunteer Program is open to all the company's employees and is overseen by a 16 member Employee Council that selects service projects and guides the program. The program is administered by the Berkshire Bank Foundation.
The Employee Volunteer Program was established with the following goals:
- Allow employees to get involved in and give back to their community
- Increase the Bank’s involvement and visibility in the community
- Help employees gain new organizational and leadership skills
- Build teamwork and strengthen employee morale
Program operation and accomplishments:
Over forty group work projects benefiting non-profit organizations or governmental entities have been carried out in every region served by Berkshire Bank since the programs inception. In 2009 alone, 50% of bank employees participated donating in excess of 12,000 hours to benefit non-profit partners.
In 2010 the Employee Volunteer Program looks to expand the number of projects they work on throughout the bank's service area. Some projects that have just recently been completed or are scheduled to be undertaken this year include:
Morningside Community School – Pittsfield (MA) - Lunch Buddies Mentoring Program
Company-Wide effort to collect items for care packages to send to our troops overseas.
Conte Community School – Pittsfield (MA)– Company-Wde Work Day
Downtown Beautification – Pittsfield (MA) – Company-Wide Work Day
Springfield South End Community Center – Springfield (MA) – Company-Wide Work Day
Habitat for Humanity – Albany (NY) – Company-Wide Work Day
Hildene Estate – Manchester (VT) – Company-Wide Work Day
Downtown Clean-Up 2010 Pittsfield (MA)
Relay for Life in all Four of Our Bank’s Regions
Habitat for Humanity Build Day Pittsfield (MA)
Company Wide Food Drive
Submit Idea/Request for Volunteer Project:
The Volunteer Program is always looking for suggestions for projects to undertake. If you have any recommendations, please contact the Foundation office at foundation@berkshirebank.com.
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