Dateline: 02/02/98
Powell's New War
Colin Powell, the retired Army General who led the US armed forces during the Gulf War continues to serve his country. As the Board Chairman of America's Promise he heads an organization that
"connects those that can, like corporations, with those that do, like volunteers and grass roots efforts, to assist our nations 15 million at-risk youth to have better access to five fundament resources: mentors, safe places, healthy start, marketable skills, and returning service to the community." America's Promise
The Next Battleground
One of these programs is the Job Shadow Day on February 2, Groundhog Day. Through this program 100,000 children will be matched with volunteer adults. The students will "shadow" the adults throughout the day in order to experience the workplace firsthand. The adults will mentor and educate the students and introduce them to the workplace.
Groundhog Job Shadow Day is a combined effort of :
The Winners
It is pretty easy to see what the students get out of the program. However, you may be wondering what benefit it could possibly have for your company. Here are a few. They range from self-serving to selfless.
It could get your company mentioned in the press.
You could get on TV as you explain what a good thing this is you are doing.
Colin Powell might call to thank you.
On the other hand
You could do something positive for your community.
You could make a difference in the lives of some students who might become valuable employees.
Your employees could earn the satisfaction of helping mentor a child.
Your employees could get energized about doing something worthwhile.
They could bring that energy back to their jobs.
Resolution
It is probably too late for you to get involved this year, but make plans to be part of this great program next year. Contact them through their web site to learn how.
Remember the quote from Lew Platt, the CEO of HP in last week's article on mentoring:
"At HP, we recognize that supporting education is one of the most important things we can do to realize success for future generations, for our company and for society as a whole. I see educating our children as both a business and a social imperative. After all, the young faces we see today are the faces of the workforce and customers of tomorrow."
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John Reh
Management Guide
