#HumanTouch Spotlight: Dan Geersten

At VertiSource HR®, the personal attention we give our client partners is paramount to our joint success. Combined with our Human Resource Information System (HRIS), which allows companies to manage all their employee critical data at the touch of a mouse, we are the #HumanTouch of HR Automation, a moniker we are proud of.

Over the next few weeks, we are featuring VertiSource HR® employees who volunteer for causes they are passionate about. What is truly exceptional about our employees is their commitment to lending a helping hand, not only to our client partners, but also in their local communities. 

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with VertiSource HR®'s CFO, Dan Geersten. He inspired us with his message of "an attitude of service despite the reward" and we think he will inspire you too!

VertiSource HR® Blogger (VB): Can you tell us a little about your professional background?

Dan Geersten (DG): I worked in the grocery business right out of high school.  In the grocery business I was in management and ran just about every department. In my 30’s my wife and I bought a dental staffing agency and ran that for over a decade as well as sold insurance on the side.   I went back and got my masters in accounting from 2005-08 and sold my business.  After that I worked for a couple of CPA firms.  Then, like many people in 2008, I was laid off!  Luckily, by referral, I got a job at VertiSource HR and I’ve worked here ever since as the CFO.

(VB): What inspired you to get involved in philanthropic work?

(DG): In the LDS church we have callings including assignments in our neighborhoods or communities.  Our church has a branch that includes the Salt Lake County Jail.  They asked me to go down there to do church services, visit people and go cell-to-cell.  When I go and visit it’s not just for the LDS inmates, it’s for everyone; I’m like a Chaplin in the military.  I talk to anyone who wants to talk from any religion or background. I’ve been doing it for three years and I am almost finished with my calling.

(VB): Has volunteering in your community changed your perception of the community and its needs?

(DG): I think it’s good to get outside yourself and serve your fellow man.  It gives you perspective about your problems.  When you serve someone else it makes you feel like you have a more whole life.  It’s helped me to have compassion for the men in jail. There are all types of people; there are college educated people and there are many homeless people who now have a roof over their head. There’s also a major problem with mental illness and drug abuse in jail.  It makes me count my blessings.

(VB): Has your philanthropic work improved other aspects of your personal and professional life? i.e. better listener, more initiative, etc.

(DG): It has made me a better listener.  It has taught me to have compassion for people.  Everyone is human and has a story.  To give people the benefit of the doubt.  Everyone has something to give no matter what their background.  I’ve walked out with tears in my eyes when men tell me their story about how they are lucky to be alive.  It has opened up my heart.  I believe in the concept of Justice and Mercy.  In jail I’m the mercy part, the legal system is the justice part.  People make mistakes.  The highlight of their week is talking to us.  I’ll have 15 guys in a class and sometimes I’m in maximum security and they see only me.  It’s humbling experience.  

(VB): What are some of the most memorable moments you've experienced volunteering?

(DG): People tell me I look like Bill Clinton!  I think one guy said, “You’re a cross between Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. People say they are stuck in a lifestyle and it’s hard to break out of it, but some say, “I’m getting out and I’m going to stop doing drugs and change my life!”  It’s the success stories of people making progress that is rewarding even if it is only one in a hundred.                

(VB): What advice would you give to someone considering philanthropic work?

(DG): To definitely do it!  It’s part of who we are as human beings.  No matter what your religious background, it’s important.  A verse from our scripture states; “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” I think this applies to everyone.

(VB): In what ways would you say group philanthropy elevates a company and its culture?

(DG): It’s good to feel like your company is contributing to society and it bonds the team when they help other people together. For me, it’s fulfilling to help our clients with something; you help them solve a problem.  If you have an attitude of service despite the reward you’ll be rewarded.  

We thank Dan for lending his time and we hope you will be inspired to serve! Please share this post with friends and spread the kindness!

#HumanTouch Spotlight: Sammi Bench

At VertiSource HR®, the personal attention we give our client partners is paramount to our joint success. Combined with our Human Resource Information System (HRIS), which allows companies to manage all their employee critical data at the touch of a mouse, we are the #HumanTouch of HR Automation, a moniker we are proud of.

Over the next few weeks, we are featuring VertiSource HR® employees who volunteer for causes they are passionate about. What is truly exceptional about our employees is their commitment to lending a helping hand, not only to our client partners, but also in their local communities. 

This week, we had a chance to catch up with VertiSource HR®'s Sammi Bench. She was more than happy to share her philanthropic beginnings with us and how it continues to inspire her today. Let us inspire you with her story of paying it forward.

VertiSource HR® Blogger (VB): Can you tell us a little about your professional background?
Samantha Bench (SB): I mostly have a few years of accounting experience. Before I started here, I worked with payroll for a plumbing company for about eight years so I became very familiar with payroll processes. I also had an opportunity to work at a bank for about a year and half to two years which really provided me with a strong foundation in accounting processes, as well.

VB: What inspired you to get involved in philanthropic work?
SB: Originally, my school had requirements that I needed to fulfill in order to earn credits. Volunteering was part of that and what turned out to be a credit filler became something that I began to enjoy. I don’t volunteer as much now as I used to, but it’s something that I would eventually like to get back into.

VB: Has volunteering in your community changed your perception of the community and its needs?
SB: I had a couple of volunteer opportunities that helped reshape my perspective about the community and its needs. One opportunity that I had was working with homeless pets. I am an animal lover and I wanted to help give them a home. It was heart-breaking to see these animals without a home or someone to love them.
I also volunteered for the Cathedral of the Madeleine who would do sack lunches for the homeless and hand them out. I saw many who were either homeless or could not afford to buy food for them and, in some cases, their families. This was also heart-breaking and helped me realize the sense of urgency we should have to help others when they are in need.
Both of these volunteering opportunities brought a lot of concerns to light when I volunteered at each and really put things into a new perspective for me.

VB: Has your philanthropic work improved other aspects of your personal and professional life? i.e. better listener, more initiative, etc.
SB: I have always been a caring person. I think the main point that philanthropic work has done for me, both personally and professionally, is inspire a greater sense to be more caring and considerate. It has also helped me in putting my best effort forth by becoming more attentive that people are taken care of, whether it is with volunteering or career activities.

VB: What are some of the most memorable moments you've experienced volunteering?
SB: My most memorable moments involved helping someone personally- helping them out with whatever they need. One experience I enjoyed was helping my grandfather. I had a chance to really get to know him on a more personal level. I also have fond memories of the animals that I worked with too. I spent time with animals who wanted love and it was exciting to see them get adopted and find a home.

VB: What advice would you give to someone considering philanthropic work?
SB: I would say to get involved- it opens your eyes to things to different aspects of a situation and gives you a different viewpoint. It allows you to grow in many ways and makes you feel good about yourself too. You are giving back to back to the community and tend to think less of yourself while doing it.

VB: In what ways would you say group philanthropy elevates a company and its culture?
SB: When a company is actively involved in the community, it can be viewed as more of a personal company, not just as a corporation. I think that it gets their name out there for good because they give back to the community. 

A big THANKS to Sammi for lending us her time! Please share this article and get others inspired to give-back!

#HumanTouch Spotlight: Ivette Bosque

At VertiSource HR®, our job is to enable companies to cost effectively outsource the management of payroll, payroll administration, human resources, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, and claims management, which allows our client partners to focus on their core competencies to maintain and grow their bottom line. We at choose to offer these services to our clients with personal attention and a respectful touch. This decision we have made is largely why we consider ourselves to be the "Human Touch" of VertiSource HR®.

Over the next few weeks, we are featuring VertiSource HR® employees who volunteer for causes they are passionate about. We find our employees to be exceptional in their selflessness in the workplace and out in the community.

Ivette Bosque has 20 years of experience in accounting with 12 years as a General Manager for a Xerox agency. Her major was in architecture and she minored in accounting. She has worked for VertiSource HR® for about a year and a half.

We asked Ivette what inspired her to get involved in philanthropic work and she explained that when she was little, her mom used to do a lot of volunteer work. Ivette would go with her mother and together, they would take care of older people (i.e. cleaning homes, paying bills, etc…). When Ivette was married, she wanted to do the same. She wanted to pass that example to her children.

Ivette went on to tell us how through volunteering in her community, she changed her perception of the community and its needs. It changed in that she became less critical of people she interacts with. Recently, for example, she stopped in Bakersfield and saw a couple of people outside of a local gas station in the heavy rain with not a lot to cover themselves from the weather. She provided them some coffee to help them keep warm.

We asked Ivette if the philanthropic work she did had improved other aspects of her personal and professional life and it has. Ivette stated, “it makes one more patient with his/her coworkers (you don’t know everything that is going on in the life of your coworkers). You can also be more patient with your family.”

Some of the most memorable moments Ivette has experienced volunteering have been centered on the human interaction.

Ivette would visit older people and talk with them. Ivette would provide community service in health-related endeavors. Anyone could come and get various little exams and Ivette would participate in it. On Father’s Day, Ivette went to Compton and made breakfast for her community. She loves giving cooking classes for the community as well- cooking with health (focusing on nutrition and a healthy lifestyle)! She would invite the community to take free classes and then eat!

In addition to volunteering her time, Ivette has Christmas gifts, personal care items, and other goods to those in need.

She participated in a “shoe box” Christmas tradition to prepare boxes (like shoe boxes) where she would buy different items that people would need (combs, toothbrushes, etc…) and then create them for either a girl, boy, or baby. She would then put them together and take them to a center where they would provide these boxes to other people all around the world.

Ivette also participates in providing canned goods and registering with the city to donate money
where the donations would be used to help those who were and are in need.

We asked Ivette what advice would you give to someone considering philanthropic work and she responded,

“Service is two ways. For you and the other person. It gives you a perspective on how life is and it helps you see the blessings that you have and you tend to complain less. It’s good for the other person because they are in need. 

First, do it on a regular basis. It can strengthen the one who is giving and help the one who receives. 

Also, pass it on to the younger generation. It gives them an opportunity to see the good that can come out of serving others. It will also allow for an opportunity to establish a tradition that will continue forward with them and onward to future generations. “

Lots of businesses have group philanthropic projects, or at least want to start one. We asked for Ivette's take on company-sponsored group philanthropy. She stated, “When you give to someone else, it makes you tied together in unity. You all grow together. It allows you the opportunity to know the people you work with and help fill in gaps that they have in their lives. It makes you draw closer to those people.”

Ivette Bosque, Accountant, VertiSource HR®