April | 2018 | Big Brothers Big Sisters Blog

Giving back is something accounting firm RSM takes seriously… Taking themselves seriously, is another matter.

“In general, somehow, it’s in the DNA of people who are accountants to be very competitive,” laughs Scott Haigler, Office Managing Partner for RSM US LLP. “So, the best thing we can do is make a competition out of our fundraising events.”

And RSM has some competitions that are real doozies – everything from sumo wrestling in over-stuffed “sumo suits,” to winning the opportunity to put a pie in the boss’ face, to finding out who the champion will be in a 10-key type-off event. “We did the sumo wrestling one year and I was one of the two wrestlers,” said Scott. “But we only did it once. I had this idea I would run across the room and knock the other wrestler down, but I’m a CPA, not an engineer, and it backfired. I bounced and crashed.”

All of this activity is in good fun and for a good cause, creating a win-win for everyone involved. “It’s a slam-dunk to be involved with an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Scott. “Our relationship with BBBS has grown over the years and we certainly get more out of it than we give.”

RSM’s involvement with BBBS has grown into a partnership that lasts year-round. RSM is the Kingpin Sponsor for BBBS’ annual Bowl for Kids event, they are involved in BBBS’ Ice Ball gala, the company provides backpacks filled with school supplies for Littles at the beginning of the school year, and they help sponsor BBBS’ annual Holiday Party for Bigs and Littles, among other things.

For RSM, this extensive involvement provides a lot of pluses. “From a business perspective, we’re a service provider,” said Scott, “and part of that service is making Austin a better place to live. We do that through our work with BBBS.”

Another plus for the company is connecting with new job candidates. “The generation coming into the job market now is very interested in public service. It’s a question that is high on the list when we interview potential hires. They want to know what we are doing to give back to the community,” Scott continued. “And BBBS is a respected organization with a proven track record. Our association and involvement make a meaningful difference.”

A third corporate advantage relates to the year-round nature of RSM’s involvement with BBBS. “Partnering year-round allows our employees to be involved in activities that don’t have anything to do with auditing, consulting or tax work, and that’s always a good thing,” said Scott. “The average age of our employees is 26. BBBS’ activities get them energized, and that’s what we want. Doing taxes and audits like we do, especially during the busy season, can take a toll on everyone so we need to do something to recharge our batteries. Working with BBBS gives us ample opportunity to do that”

Scott also sees great value in the team building that occurs among employees who participate in BBBS’ activities and events, especially Bowl for Kids. He likes the camaraderie and socializing the event provides, plus the opportunity to give back that the fundraising offers. “And, everyone loves bowling. It’s all just a lot of fun.”

RSM is the 5^th largest accounting firm in the country with over 90 offices around the world, but their Austin employees are giving back locally. At RSM, giving back and working with BBBS is something they are passionate about. It is part of their corporate culture.

“We are able to give even more to BBBS because our corporate foundation matches employee gifts,” said Scott. “This means that employee contributions are doubled and go twice as far.”

He added, “Working with BBBS is invaluable. It’s priceless. I can’t put a price on what the agency does and the incredible impact they have on kids and the community. Investing in BBBS’ work makes the community a better place for everyone. We are proud to be part of that.”

For 19 years Brandon Christensen has been on a roll, participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids bowl-a-thon. And he’s not about to go on strike. He continues to be, in his words, “relentless,” in raising funds and forming teams for the event.

“I really like helping an organization that I feel has a direct impact,” said Brandon. “The first year I participated, I organized a group of 5 friends and we began collecting money. When I do a campaign or fundraiser, I’ve always been the type of person who goes pretty big. Especially if it’s something I believe in. That first year I think I raised $1,700.”

The reason he is passionate about BBBS? He can relate to the kids benefitting from this event. “Growing up, my mom worked really hard to raise my younger brother and me. We definitely struggled at times,” he continued. “I didn’t have a father figure in my life. I know what it’s like to have hard times, so I can relate to the cause and the kids BBBS supports.”

It was while he was in the Air Force that Brandon experienced a pivotal moment in his life. One that instilled in him a desire to give back. He was “volun-told” by his sergeant to sell raffle tickets to provide a Christmas party for local low-income families. Brandon took the project to heart and sold a lot of tickets, but he also took the assignment one step further and attended the event. “It was overwhelming,” he said. “It was great to see these amazing kids enjoying the food, the clowns and the gift exchange. At that point I knew I was going to be active in giving back and providing community support for a long time.”

Brandon has been true to his word, as he has not only participated in BBBS’ Bowl for Kids, he has steadily raised awareness of the event at the company he works for, SHI International. He’s encouraged co-workers to form bowling teams as well, and even established a competition to see which team could raise the most money. The winner received a very nice dinner provided by one of the company’s partners. “These are sales teams so they’re very competitive,” Brandon laughed. “My team won last year, and we’re in the lead this year. I take this very seriously.”

He takes fundraising seriously, but Brandon has also upped his game with BBBS, becoming a Big Brother himself two years ago. It is another part of his life that he feels passionate about. “I was matched with Javon,” said Brandon, “and he is awesome. He is a fun kid and very outgoing. He’s also artistic and very creative.”

The two share a love of comics and comic book movies, and Brandon has nurtured Javon’s interest in robotics, programming and art. They have visited Austin’s Blanton Museum of Art and the Art on 5^th gallery.

“On our one-year match anniversary, I gave Javon a collage of pictures of our outings, and he sent me the nicest card about how he values our friendship and our relationship,” said Brandon. “I think it is critical for Littles to have adults (Bigs) in their lives who they know have made time just to be with them.”

Time with Javon has intensified Brandon’s commitment to raising money for BBBS and participating in Bowl for Kids. He now serves on the planning committee for the event and he works to help people understand that the event is not a bowling tournament or competition – it’s an event where participants can dress in costume, have fun, eat pizza, do a little bowling, and raise money for a great organization and cause.

“As a Big, I see how the money we raise allows BBBS to create mentoring relationships for more children in Central Texas, and I know, first-hand, what the campaign is truly about and what it means to be matched. Being a Big myself, I understand how the money raised affects kids from single-parent or low-income homes, as well as kids who need additional motivation or positive reinforcement to be successful.”

Bowl for Kids is a fun event but, for Brandon, it is more than an annual celebration and tradition. It is about forming, and sustaining, mentoring relationships that create lasting change, growth and opportunity for children and adults alike.

Bowl for Kids is coming soon, but there’s still time to get in the game. Join Brandon in making a positive impact in our community. Donate or form a team and participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids 2018 – an event that makes a lifetime of difference.