10 Ways to Get Your Bail Agency Involved in the Community

Whether you want to get more clients, help push for legislation changes, or garner positive media attention for the bail industry, getting involved in the community is a great place to start. There are numerous ways you can get involved, and devoting your time to other activities will surely make you and your employees feel good about what you’re doing. Those good feelings might even bring improvements within your agency.

Community involvement was discussed often last year, but if you’re not sure how to get started, here are 10 easy ways to get your bail bond agency involved in the community:

1. Form a local sports team: Though it might seem like another work function to attend, getting your agency involved in a sports league can have a positive effect on your staff. Playing team sports can enhance trust among employees, build teamwork, and provide opportunities for encouragement and positive feedback. These changes will also affect the workplace, and hopefully your employees will approach their work days with happiness and energy.
    
2. Volunteer at a local shelter: Volunteering is an easy way to get involved in the community. Although many people only volunteer time during the holidays, shelters and other charitable organizations need help year-round. Your staff can donate just a few days a year to work at a soup kitchen, or volunteer to collect blankets for a homeless shelter.
    
3. Raise money or goods to donate to charity: Raising money for charity is a great way to gain positive media attention, and you can choose to raise money within your agency or with the help of your community. Not all charities require the donation of money, so check with other community members for opportunities to donate other items like school supplies or canned food. Keep in mind that if a local charity is hosting their own drive, you can make a large donation on your agency’s behalf.
    
4. Volunteer at community festivals and events: Community events always have opportunities for volunteering, whether it’s a spring festival, a 5K run, or a music event. You can join the set-up or tear-down team, work at one of the community booths, or even donate a prize for a competition. Check with your local parks and recreation department for more information on upcoming community events.
    
5. Teach self-defense at a local gym, school, or women’s shelter: If your team has experience with safety, self-defense, weapons safety training, or anything else that can benefit others, educate the community. Teaching self-defense is a concrete way to shed positive light on your industry, and can help keep members of your community safe.
    
6. Get involved in legislation changes: Whether it’s zoning laws or regulations that restrict bail agencies, getting involved can help you establish yourself as a local leader. In some cases, getting on community boards and committees can give you the opportunity to clear up misconceptions and promote community events you are involved with. If you have an opinion or stance on an issue, find out who is involved and contact them to see how you can help.
    
7. Join any local or state associations: It may seem daunting to push for legislation changes or raise money for a local charity on your own, but teaming up with other bail association members can help you achieve success. If your state doesn’t have a bail association, think about getting one started.
    
8. Tutor local students: A rewarding way to get involved in the community is to tutor local students. You can volunteer at local schools for after hours tutoring and homework help, or even take it a step further and mentor students.
    
9. Put together a community clean-up: Sponsoring or participating in a local clean up is a great way to get involved in the community. You can adopt a highway and do regular trash pick ups, or volunteer to paint over graffiti on local buildings. Offering to help cover vandalism is a great way to bring a positive look to the bail community.
    
10. Tap into your agency’s other interests: Maybe everyone in your agency enjoys a certain type of music, plays a certain sport, or enjoys cooking. Use these interests to find other ways to get involved in the community. You can host a cooking class or organize a local chili cook off. You can look into sponsoring a local battle-of-the-bands contest, or even coach a local youth basketball team. Remember, getting involved in the community doesn’t always have to relate to what your company does.

With a full year ahead of you there will be plenty of opportunities for community involvement. Make sure you plan ahead, choose what events you will attend, and decide if you want to host any of your own. When you’ve determined what will be best for your bail bond agency, start raising local awareness and let people know what events you’ll be involved in. Hopefully your employees will get excited about upcoming events and help you spread the word.
 

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