A new spin on team building events

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Adding a socially responsible cause to your next team-building activity can boost morale, foster a sense of community within your group and promote your brand. Team building activities can become an extension of a corporation's core philanthropic efforts, says Alan Ranzer, executive director of Impact 4 Good, an East Hanover, N.J.-based team-building program provider that specializes in community service activities. "It's hard to go onto a corporate Web site right now and not find something about their philanthropic goals," Ranzer says.

Possible teambuilding philanthropic activities include the following:

• Literacy boosters. Build bookshelves to enhance community schools and libraries. Follow the construction project with an ongoing book drive throughout the year to benefit local libraries, schools and community centers.

• Cooking contest. Sponsor a culinary contest. Donate the food prepared by contestants to shelters and community food pantries. A corporate food drive can create ongoing for worthy partners.

"Ask people to explain the feelings they have when they volunteer—you get some pretty warm words," says Ranzer. "To get those feelings while participating in a company-sponsored activity is pretty powerful. Employees work harder because they feel good about their employer." The same goes for consumer loyalty, he adds, noting that several clients have asked Impact 4 Good to drum up media coverage of their charitable efforts.

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