Ten Ways to Connect with Your Community

Lana J. Chandler
August 23, 2010 | COMMENTS

Reaching out to the community is one of the best ways to differentiate your branch from competitors. Community involvement helps you show appreciation to local clients, increase your visibility, and give back to your community.

More than Money

Getting involved with your community is more than making donations. Here are ten ways to take it further:

1. Join business and civic associations and participate in their activities. Attend regular meetings, serve on committees, and go to functions.
2. Do volunteer work in the community. Actively support local nonprofit organizations. Even if your budget is tight and monetary donations are limited, you can still volunteer your time. Soup kitchens, literacy programs, homeless shelters, and Meals on Wheels are examples of local nonprofits that always welcome help.
3. Adopt a local school. Educate students on how to manage their money and basic banking skills.
4. Celebrate the Christmas season with a “mitten tree.” Some institutions call it a “giving tree.” Place a tree in your lobby. Invite people to decorate the tree with new mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves. Donate the items to disadvantaged children in your community. Besides providing needed items for the children, the tree allows employees and clients to get involved with their community and help in a small way. Tip: Partner with schools or community non-profit groups that sponsor outreach programs. You need a credible partner who can ensure the donated items will be distributed to disadvantaged children.
5. Host an open house. Use the opportunity to fortify relationships with your existing clients, meet new prospects, and showcase your branch's warm and friendly staff.
6. Hold free seminars aimed at older consumers. Work with your local AARP chapter and coalition for senior citizens to do consumer education seminars. Bring in guest speakers like someone from the state attorney general's office to talk about consumer fraud; have employees talk about topics like investments or estate planning.
7. Get involved with local housing organizations that help low-income families buy their own homes. Volunteer to counsel these families and individuals about home buying, budgeting, and banking.
8. Sponsor sports programs of local teams. Encourage the teams to bring in trophies and pictures to display in your lobby.
9. Rent a booth at local fairs and events. Hand out freebies like bottles of water and fans.
10. Invite art classes of local schools to exhibit their work in your lobby.

This story appeared in Branch Manager's Letter at www.branchmanagersletter.com and is reprinted with permission. Contact publisher Lana J. Chandler at 304-343-0206 or Lana@BranchManagersLetter.com.