Tricia Tan, CLU, ChFC, has always had a companywide program to volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade charity. While team members often pursue individual volunteer efforts, this is a unified group endeavor.  

“We focus on financial literacy for kids, contributing to an Asia-wide initiative aiming to educate a million primary school students about finance,” she said. 

Tan also used her teams’ volunteer efforts to qualify for the Whole Person criteria of the MDRT Culture of Excellence Awards, achieving Gold Agency status. 

Each of the six criteria that make up the MDRT Culture of Excellence Awards is sign of a high-performing agency providing great client services, but only the Whole Person criterion recognizes work being performed in service of the greater community through engagement and service.  

For financial services leaders, pursuing charitable acts has rewards that extend beyond their own benefits. Time and time again, leaders report that taking on a charitable goal is a great way to bring team members together and build a winning agency culture. Many have noted that their altruistic efforts also appeal to prospective advisors who seek a meaningful workplace. 

“I encourage other leaders to pursue this award criteria,” Tan said. “It's not just about winning, but about building an excellent organization.” 

Below, recent winners of the COE Awards relate tales of their agencies’ community projects, and how their teams benefited personally and professionally from taking time to help others.  

Tim Boyle, CLU, FSCP  

Diamond Agency 

One main reason people join this industry is to help others. I always try to organize team activities outside of work. Early in my career, these were purely social, such as bowling, bars or arcades. Over time, I realized we could do something beneficial for the community while still having fun and marketing the agency. 

Now, we've done several community cleanups at our local zoo. We're also heavily involved in heart-health initiatives and regularly sponsor walks. 

These charitable activities reinforce our sense of purpose. We're paying it forward, helping people both in and outside of work. And yes, we still get drinks afterward. 

Robert Abbate, LUTCF, CSA 

Diamond Agency 

We started a golf tournament that supports the charities we have in the states where we do business. Last year, we hit a really big number. It was awesome!

Charity is part of belonging to our organization. It’s one of the core missions. And I think it's pretty cool that MDRT’s Whole Person concept promotes that. Doing volunteer work at an organizational level really helps structure agencies.  

As an agency, if you don't structure volunteer work as a unit, then people are wandering all over the place. This is the one big thing we do every year, and hopefully every year it just gets bigger and bigger. 

Chris Stark, FICF, CLTC 

Platinum Agency 

Our volunteer efforts stemmed from my daughter's camp experiences. The camp is 30 to 40 years old, and things are breaking down. My organization is known for service, so when they needed repairs and had problems, we had the power to help. 

I had most of my team out there, along with many of our clients. It was good to get everyone doing hands-on work versus just business transactions. 

The best part was working hard, eating well and telling stories around campfires. It was adult men getting out, doing meaningful work and enjoying fellowship. In the insurance and financial service business, these activities help your clients see you in a different light when they work with you side by side and witness your community involvement. 

Jeffrey Yen, ChFC/S  

Platinum Agency  

Recently, we went to an old folks' home to help clean up. Before that, we packed food — fruits, vegetables, canned goods — for the less privileged. We spent a morning packing and an afternoon delivering. It was a wonderful experience. 

These activities serve multiple purposes. We can help others using our strengths and abilities while building team bonds outside of business. We're not just having fun, but having meaningful fun chatting while doing charitable work.  

Meeting less-privileged families reminds us how blessed we are to be in a position to give back. I've never had these types of experiences in other jobs, and we'll definitely continue participating in similar opportunities. 

Julieta Tolentino, CIA, AFC  

Gold Agency   

I've been visiting Haven for Children for several years with my family. This year, I realized that with several MDRT members on my team — seven or eight — we should apply the Whole Person concept and move beyond our focus on production and income. 

When I asked my team to join our visit to Haven for Children, many stepped up to contribute food and prizes. We organized games and a mini Christmas party, complete with a mascot for the kids. We also provided a washing machine from their wish list, as their old one had broken down. 

These children come from challenging backgrounds. Some are abandoned, some are former street kids, some are mentally handicapped and some are former drug users. Others simply can't return to their homes. They need people to listen to their stories and to bring joy to their holidays. 

After the event, my team stayed to process the experience. We shared the stories we heard from the kids. As many of my advisors are mothers, the experience resonated with them deeply. 

Pornprapa Sukreepirom 

Platinum Agency 

We provide lunches to elderly people throughout the country. This serves two purposes: meeting community needs and engaging with clients beyond business. Some clients become so invested that they bring friends and family to join. Though it's not our primary goal, advisors sometimes receive referrals through these shared experiences. Personally, I find joy in cooking food for those in need. 

Vincent Gan, ChFC, CLU  

Platinum Agency  

Last year, we appointed someone specifically to manage our community connections. While we'd always done volunteer projects, they were often ad hoc or last-minute. Having a dedicated coordinator led us to work with underprivileged students who live in care centers, separated from their parents. 

When we reached out, they wanted to celebrate Christmas and spend time together. We hosted two student care centers at our off-site premises. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Much of our work involves asking questions and listening — skills we usually use with clients. This time, we used those same skills to hear the children's stories.