For the past 20 years, Dominion Hope has considered giving back to the community a priority and incorporates volunteerism into its business strategy as a key component.
“Dominion encourages and supports employees and retirees to freely contribute their time and energy to improve the quality of life in our communities, " Robert Orndorff, managing director for Dominion, said. "Acting as One Dominion - the term we use internally for teamwork - we share our resources, talents and knowledge with the communities where we live and work. We participate in activities and events that improve the quality of life. Hundreds of Dominion employees volunteer in West Virginia each year.”
Each year, Dominion employees are given eight hours of annual leave to volunteer for a nonprofit of their choice. The company also offers a 2 to 1 match for employees who provide a monetary donation to a local charity. Volunteer efforts are overseen by a volunteer committee consisting of individuals representing all the Dominion business entities in West Virginia. Employees often suggest volunteer projects to this committee. The company evaluates successes through community responses, media recognition and feedback from the nonprofits that are supported.
Each year, Dominion sponsors a volunteer project in one of its core service locations. The company provides $2,500 toward a given cause and employees often work the event. Since a merger in 2000, Dominion has hosted eight service projects in West Virginia. Last year, approximately 50 employees hosted a project at a nature trail for the local school system.
The company realizes the importance of recognizing employees for their volunteer efforts. Each year, Dominion holds a recognition dinner for employees who volunteer. At the dinner, one volunteer is awarded the Volunteer of the Year award. In 2008, Lynette Green was named Volunteer of the Year for her volunteer efforts on behalf of Sheltered Workshop, the Salvation Army and Partnerships in Education.
A few years ago, Dominion was awarded the Richcreek Silver Trout Award for its efforts cleaning trout streams in the Charleston area. Dominion was also recognized as an “Outstanding Corporation” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in West Virginia. In 2007, Dominion was awarded the Governors Service Award in the business category for its volunteer efforts.
For more information on volunteer efforts at Dominion, visit the company's web site at www.dom.com. |
