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DOING GOOD REPORT EXPLAINS WHAT WORKERS GET FROM GIVING BACK With the holidays ap- proaching, many people may be looking for opportunities to give back. What they may not realize is how their community service also could be helping their careers. In a Robert Half survey (roberthalf.com/management-resources/blog/strengthen- ing-your-business-network-through-volunteering), more than four in 10 (41 per- cent) U.S. professionals said they volunteer outside of work. Respondents said their philanthropic activities help them improve their sense of well-being and effectiveness at the office (61 percent), expand their network (57 percent), develop new skills (49 percent), and enhance their company’s visibil- ity (35 percent). The research also revealed demographic differences: More male (45 percent) than female professionals (37 percent) said they volunteer outside of work. Greater numbers of workers ages 18-34 (49 percent) reported donating their time than colleagues ages 35-54 (35 percent). “Volunteering can help employees at any level build their careers,” said Paul Mc- Donald, senior executive director for Robert Half. “Not only does it provide the gratification of giving back to the community, but it could open doors to a new professional opportunity or business connection.” McDonald added, “Managers may find that encouraging their employees to vol- unteer is a beneficial retention and recruitment tool. Many professionals value the chance to give back to causes that are important to them and their community.” For those who aren’t presently volunteering outside of work, Robert Half offers the following four tips for getting started: Find an organization in need. Search for organizations you care about in your community (volunteermatch.org/) and then contact them to see how they could use your help. Be sure to explain your particular skills and interests. Invite your colleagues to join you. One person can make a big impact, but there could be power in numbers if your coworkers come, too. Look beyond the holidays. There are community service opportunities avail- able throughout the year, such as park cleanups and exercising for a good cause.

be working, in support of USAID’s goal of building local capacity. We also believe this contract will open up more teaming opportunities with other firms in the future due to the visibility it will give Trigon in the federal contracting and international development arenas.” The bottom line is that Trigon is excited about this award, taking it as a significant vote of confidence from USAID in their capacity and capability. “We look to continue our focus on our core principals of quality, commitment, and client service to successfully de- liver the services under this IDIQ contract and use this ex- perience to further expand our client base,” she says. “Trigon will provide A/E services that include design, construction supervision, and related support on both short- and long-term services for infrastructure projects involving water resources, water supply, wastewater, utilities, environmental, transportation, and facilities to develop vitally important infrastructure in developing countries.”

TRIGON, from page 5

disinfection, watershed management systems, alternative water treatment systems, drainage basins and irrigation sys- tems, dams and storage reservoirs, flood control programs, groundwater resources, wastewater collection, treatment and disposal, wastewater recycling, materials reuse, coastline ero- sion mitigation Economic growth and trade: shipping and transportation systems, power generation, transmission and distribution Agriculture and food security: irrigation systems, erosion mitigation, buildings, roads, ports, railroads, and bridges that support agriculture projects “A specific area which we anticipate working on will be to provide technical assistance to host country institutions, such as for planning and establishing technical require- ments, policies, and procedures,” Cookmeyer says. “And projects/task orders could occur anywhere in the world that USAID has a presence.” PRIME GROWTH. Cookmeyer believes that this project will sup- port the firm’s growth, especially as it is a significant federal contract for Trigon as a prime. “We anticipate that this will allow Trigon to develop more experience as a federal prime contractor which will be beneficial in other pursuits,” she says. “We anticipate hir- ing more staff, especially in the host countries that we will

THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 14, 2015, ISSUE 1131

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