Community Building | The Power of Giving Back

Community Building

“There are colonies of clonal trees that have lived for tens of thousands of years, but there’s something majestic about a single tree able to stand on its own for millennia. These ancient trees have bore witness to the rise and fall of civilizations, survived changing climates, and even persevered through the fervent development of human industry. They are a testament to the long view that Mother Nature takes in tending the Earth.” (Read More)

Have you ever heard of a business standing on its own for millennia or even for more than one hundred years? If a tree can grow, prosper, and thrive through the ever-changing environment and shifting climate, a business can sure follow in its footsteps. The core of the tree holds the resources necessary to evolve into the present and future. The core of a business is built by strong values and a core purpose that remain fixed while their business strategies and practices endlessly adapt to an ever-changing economy. A major take-away from Bryan Nelson’s article on trees is to preserve the core while managing continuity and change, the reason why major companies are able to stand on their own for years. According to Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, as you face the challenges of keeping your business going, you may find that your vision for the company needs to be adjusted as you go. Virgin Group has been around for 50+ years, headed in the direction of being able to stand on its own for millennia. Why? Virgin Group remains focused on their vision of improving society and their core purpose for existing.

A companies success is not all about making the big bucks, it’s about remembering your core purpose; what do we aspire to become, to achieve, to create, and pushing that core purpose throughout the community. Whether your business provides a product or service; all businesses are bound together by one common purpose, the consumer. “By giving the consumer a voice, they’re giving themselves the biggest competitive edge possible. In the Age of the Customer, one thing is for certain: Companies that fail to orient all aspects of their organization around their customers will die.”

(http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/233075)

The surrounding community is the armor that holds the core together. Being active in your community and giving back is the start to the formation of a great army. This is an increasingly connected world; the community around a business is fundamental to its success. Individuals are starting to notice the impact and power of giving back. How will we improve society for future generations? At Atilus we encourage community involvement and we understand the need to play a substantial role in the community around us.

Atilus is a main supporter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); STEM in Southwest Florida is a group of community leaders, educators, and parents advocating for STEM. STEM is the basis of a nationwide effort to refocus education toward the sciences. By introducing STEM to students in grade schools, it lays the groundwork for the future and gets them comfortable with these subjects at a young age. Additionally, students gain an awareness of occupations associated with STEM fields, which stimulates their interest in wanting to take STEM related courses. Out of 100 applicants, 40 students were selected from both Lee and Collier to participate in the STEM Summer Camp. These students are underprivileged students, which excel in school with an average GPA of 3.85.

Program Objectives:

• To improve student skills in mathematics
• To expose students to real-world math and its application in related career fields
• To increase the students’ awareness of STEM fields
• To expose students to processes that will increase their likelihood of being accepted into college
• To expose students to practicing professionals in STEM fields
• To create potential internship opportunities for camp participants

An information session entitled, “Meet the Professionals”, will be conducted in a panel discussion format. The event will take place June 17, 2014 from 4:00pm-6: 30pm at Florida Gulf Coast University. Harry Casimir, the Director of Operation at Atilus will be on the panel. Harry will have 10 minutes to share his skills, expertise, and experience with the students and then follow up with Q/A. Harry is honored to speak to these underprivileged students, because he can relate, having went through similar life experiences. Harry feels that these young men and women will feel more open/comfortable to speaking with someone that can share similar life experiences.

Another event, The Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board (SFWBD) will host an employer panel on Wednesday June 11, from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm at Sugden Hall Conference Room 114 on the FGCU Campus. The event is called “Theme and Purpose of GPS Leadership Event”. The event is for students in grades 10-11; Harry will also be on the panel for this event. This event will enable Harry to share his wisdom, instruction, and guidance to prepare these individuals for the future. Investing his time in these students is like investing his time in the future of his community.

Harry Casimir, Director of Operations and Zach Katkin, President and CEO of Atilus, both graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University. They feel very honored to give back to the community the skill set it gave them. Being able to give their career insight to future community leaders, and the skills needed to succeed in this ever-changing economy is one of the best things they can do to give back.

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own.” ~ Disraeli