The 1% Rule --> 10% Rule --> to the 75% standard

Last weekend I was working on taxes... Well, the first half was spent thinking... (couched for procrastination)... Thinking because doing would imply that I actually pulled all the pieces of paper out of their respective files and assembled them in some sequence to give to my accountant.  By the end of the weekend I did end up pulling papers out files and sorting the various documents.

But, while I was thinking about taxes I was also thinking about my own charity, both through Dexterity Consulting and me personally.  My father taught me to, "Pay Myself First".  You know, the idea that you put 10% of each pay-cheque aside (this was a reasonable request until I became self-employed... hmmm...).  My conscience taught me, with distinct influence from our Judeo-Christian society, that I should also put 10% aside for "Repairing the World," however I determine what those repairs should be.  Then I was introduced to Imagine Canada and their Caring Companies program.  This is a group of corporate citizens who have committed to investing 1% of their pre-tax dollars into community organizations.  A copy of the commitment document is attached at the bottom of this blog.  I invite you to join Dexterity Consulting and 120 other companies across Canada is making this commitment.

A few months ago I had to submit my renewal to Imagine Canada for my commitment.  I hadn't given much thought to what this would look like as it is just second nature to how I operate.  I am proud to share with you that last year Dexterity Consulting donated over 75% of revenue in cash and services!!! 

Dexterity Consulting provides a flexible workplace for its employees to engage in volunteer activities in the community during "regular work hours" as well as donating a portion of contract services time to charities that align with our corporate values of effective Community Economic Development.  In addition to these in-kind supports, Gena Rotstein and Dexterity Consulting made cash donations of $1,644. 

As a small company targeting individuals and other small and medium sized businesses to help them strategically and tactically invest in community projects it is important to me, and those who associate with Dexterity Consulting as staff and associates, that strengthening our communities (however we choose to define them) is at the core of our work.  Thank you to everyone who made this amazing accomplishment possible.

Organizations we supported in 2008:

ChristmasFuture, The Safe Haven Foundation, The Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, Canadian Humanitarian, and programs/services supported Calgary Jewish Community Council.

We are currently reviewing our commitments for 2009 and will be updating the charities we support in the coming months.