Do Good by Doing Right

In our office we have five maxims written on the wall (don’t worry, it’s a whiteboard wall) that remind everyone what working for CLEAR is all about. “Do Good by Doing Right” is number 4 on that list, which reflects the high morals, ethics and integrity of our team and our mission, as well as the importance of giving back.

No matter how stressful the day, I’m constantly reminding myself how lucky I am to be a part of CLEAR, and I’m struck by the desire to pay it forward. In my experience, daily challenges tend to take center stage, but by prioritizing opportunities to give back, you can foster a strong corporate culture and help your team gain perspective.

One of the best parts of "doing good by doing right" is that it comes in many forms. Have money to give? Great! But if you don’t, engaging creatively with your community is just as good if not better than writing a check. Here are some of the cool things we’ve done at CLEAR:

• For the holidays, our New York team volunteered at a low-income school impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Between distributing gifts and playing with the adorable children, our team bonded over this shared experience. And honestly, who doesn’t love some mid-day story time?

• We’ve donated money and raised awareness creatively. Last Mother’s Day, for every member who verified through the CLEAR lane we donated $5 to the Make a Wish Foundation.

• I’ve been involved with the Young Women’s Leadership Network in New York for years; I’m incredibly passionate about what they’re doing to further female education. Last year we hosted YWLN girls in our offices. They got to see how a company works and pick our brains, but after seeing their passion and curiosity, I’m not sure who got more out of the day: us or them.

In all of these cases, great organizations gained new supporters from the CLEAR team, many of whom have followed up by donating time or money and by spreading the word themselves.

Every community could use some support. Find a cause or organization you’re passionate about and share it with your company. The hours spent away from work while "doing good by doing right" will always have an exponential return both for you as an individual and for your entire organization.