Satisfying customers is a way of life for Sue Schmidt, as Comerica Bank’s Corporate Quality director. However, Schmidt is also deeply concerned about the quality of life surrounding her workplace, and that concern led her to Detroit Cristo Rey High School this summer.
“For me, it’s all about serving the community, said Schmidt, who along with her colleague, Susan Rutledge-Reeves, spoke to an audience of mostly ninth-grade students during presentations to four classes.
“We focused on communication—the importance of communication; how to communicate correctly; and the first moment of interaction.
“Communication skills have diminished because young people text instead of talking, so we did role-play and the students picked up on everything very quickly.
“We had a very mature group and we would certainly do it again.”
And there is little doubt that Schmidt will return. During a distinguished 38-year career at Comerica, the bank senior vice president has compiled a long history of volunteering.
“As business people it is really important that we get involved, because some of our young people will be running our country,” said Schmidt, who often talks to students about the “team of life” while discussing the importance of networking and teamwork.
“Volunteering is really a two-way street for me. I learn from the young people and hopefully they are able to learn something from me.”
Schmidt’s words have added meaning during September, which the Points of Light Institute has designated as the Corporate Month of Service—a national initiative designed to increase community impact through volunteer leadership and community involvement.
In metropolitan Detroit, the initiative sheds light on what quietly takes place year-round. From Cristo Rey, to some of the most well-known service organizations, and points beyond, volunteers provide a helping hand to important causes.
“During the past school year, through the generous contribution of time and talent by JA volunteers, more than 36,000 students were impacted with important educational instruction,” said Karen Kosniewski, president of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan.
Among that group, Kosniewski acknowledged 31 Comerica volunteers who touched more than 1,200 students across metro Detroit.
“It’s extremely gratifying to hear feedback like that,” said Patricia McCann, Comerica’s national Civic Affairs director. “I can’t begin to express my gratitude to the many Comerica volunteers who make a difference. The activities vary, but all of their acts are geared toward improving the quality of life throughout our region.”
Understanding the important role volunteerism serves in our society, Comerica launched a corporate volunteer challenge in 2009, with a goal of registering a combined 100,000 volunteer hours from bank employees by 2010.
“The 10 x 10 Volunteer Challenge asks that each of our approximately 10,000 colleagues nationwide logs 10 volunteer hours. When you do the math, that’s at least 100,000 service hours for Comerica,” McCann said.
“We’re talking about almost $2 million worth of volunteer hours Comerica can contribute to the community during the course of the Challenge, and that’s a huge impact.”
McCann says Comerica is on pace to reach its volunteer goal and will get a big boost from planned activities on Saturday, Sept. 25, which is the bank’s National Day of Service.
A sampling of the local volunteer sites includes Ronald McDonald House of Detroit; The Parade Company; Gleaners Food Bank distribution centers; and Arts and Scraps, a local non-profit organization that serves 275,000 children annually, using recycled materials.
“Our volunteer sites reflect community needs and also the service priorities of our colleagues,” McCann said. “This is our third National Day of Service, and each year it gets bigger.”
And for a select group of dedicated volunteers, the day’s activities will include taking the field at Comerica Park before an expected crowd of more than 30,000 people during the Detroit Tigers’ Fan Appreciation Weekend game against the Minnesota Twins. Collectively, the “Starting Nine” colleagues have donated almost seven thousand hours of their time since the launch of the Volunteer Challenge.
The group will include lifelong Detroiter Deborah Hardison Hill.
“I had no idea that they had anything like this planned,” said Hardison Hill, an executive assistant in Comerica’s National Retail Sales & Products division. “To be out on the field and recognized, and have an opportunity to meet some of the players—that’s a real honor.”
While extremely proud of the recognition, Hardison Hill said she is equally proud to serve her community.
“I’ve been doing volunteer things since I was in elementary school. It makes you feel good because you see how much it’s affecting others and the improvement in their lives.”
Hardison Hill will volunteer at Mae C. Jemison School in Detroit the morning before her Comerica Park appearance. The assignment suits her well given her passion for helping youth.
A fixture at Comerica volunteer activities during her 21-year bank career, Hardison Hill poses her own challenge to anyone wanting to make a difference in the community.
“Whether you’re a big corporation or small corporation, people should know you’re there for them, so all companies need to volunteer and get involved,” she said.
“And I also say that to people here in Detroit all the time. There’s always something we can do to make our city better.”
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