During March, our Stress Busters Team took on the initiative of promoting various causes throughout the organization. We met with Nichole Osborn (NO), the Stress Busters Taskforce Chairperson, to talk more about this #InspiringForward initiative.
AC: As Chairperson of the Stress Busters, what are some of your goals when deciding which activities to showcase?
NO: We want to get employees engaged in activities that are not only fun but drive engagement at work and in our communities. It is even better when we can give back to the community or drive awareness around an issue.
AC: During March, Stress Busters focused some of its activities on certain causes. Can you tell us more about them?
NO: Yes, one of the causes we shared with the team was #RedNose Day, whose mission is to end child poverty. The other was World Water Day, held on March 22nd every year since 1993, and focuses on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without safe water access. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
AC: What motivated you to promote these causes in specific?
NO: In regards to Red Nose Day, this organization is trying to make a difference in child poverty through laughter. They are passionate about what they do, and we wanted to spread that passion across all of our teams here at Activus Connect. On the other hand, World Water Day is important to me. It is shocking to think that 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water. Anything I can do to raise awareness and change is something I want to do. Another reason is my children and my grandson. What we do today has an impact on generations to come.
AC: How was your experience while working on this initiative?
NO: People love to laugh, and the response that I have seen with #RedNose Day was inspiring. With COVID-19 more and more children are impacted by poverty. We need our children to be healthy and empowered. They are the future. With regards to World Water Day, water is something that so many of us take for granted. It’s eye-opening to see how billions of people do not have access to safe water and even die because of it. We received some interesting responses from our Ambassadors on what they are doing to make a real difference.
AC: Was this your first time participating in Red Nose Day and Water Day?
NO: This was not my first time joining in on #RedNose Day. I have participated for the last 5 years. For World Water Day, however, this was my first time observing and helping raise awareness.
AC: What would you say to encourage others to join the cause?
NO: Nearly 20% of American children live in families below the federal poverty threshold. Globally, 1 billion children are deprived of one or more basic needs like food, shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, or education. Both of these causes are so important to the future of our children and our planet. I am blessed. I have struggled financially myself, but I always had access to clean, safe water. Taking steps to conserve water and given even a small amount financially to either of these causes can make a significant impact in the life of a child who doesn’t know when their next meal will be or if they will have a safe, clean glass of water.
AC: Aside from promoting great causes such as these, what are some of the other activities the Stress Busters promote?
NO: The Stressbusters Taskforce wants to promote activities that can help our Ambassadors feel engaged and supported. Taking customer service calls can be very stressful. We want to make sure our Ambassadors feel appreciated and have a team of people around them supporting them. Any opportunity that we can do to give back to our communities is first and foremost on our minds.
AC: Is there anything you’d like our readers to know?
NO: Stay tuned for our upcoming events!