3 Ways Becoming A Blood Drive Host Can Help Your Organization
Community outreach is an essential aspect of running any large organization. Whether you operate a business, non-profit, or some other entity, it's crucial to remain involved in your local community. While there are plenty of ways to participate in local events, hosting a mobile blood drive is a highly visible and practical option for any organization with a physical presence.
If you haven't considered hosting before, then consider these three ways that a blood drive can benefit your organization and allow you to provide a vital service for your community.
1. Team-Building Opportunities
Let's face it: team-building opportunities rarely inspire much excitement among employees. Although these activities can be helpful, they're often forced and may not feel like they come with immediate practical benefits. However, hosting a blood drive provides your employees with an opportunity to work together on an actual project with immediate results.
Since your organization will be responsible for much of the planning and organization, your employees will have the chance to step out of their comfort zones and learn new skills. Your volunteers can work together to ensure the blood drive's success, ultimately building teamwork and organizational proficiency that they can carry back to their regular jobs.
2. Direct Community Engagement
Although a large portion of the planning and organization usually rests on the shoulders of the hosting organization, you won't be handling everything alone. You'll coordinate with local healthcare workers to manage the technical details of the blood drive, providing you with a direct chance to engage with your community. Your employees will also gain experience working with outside organizations.
Demonstrating community leadership in this way can open the door to many future opportunities for your organization. Offering your time and space for an essential life-saving activity proves that your organization values its place in the community instead of simply treating it as a location for conducting business.
3. Publicity
You'll typically be responsible for advertising and generating publicity for your blood drive, but you can usually expect some support from your community. For example, local newspapers and even news stations often cover blood drives. While the focus should always remain squarely on acquiring more donors, your organization can also benefit from this added publicity.
By giving up some of your space for a few days, you gain the opportunity to contribute to a life-saving activity while also proving that your organization can give something back to the public. Along the way, your organization and employees can enjoy the practical benefits of working together for the greater good.