Reflections from this year’s ACCP Conference in San Diego

 

By Alan Ranzer, CoFounder & Managing Partner, Impact 4 Good

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the ACCP (Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals) conference in San Diego. ACCP has always been a place where professionals dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) come together, and this year was no different. It was incredible to see familiar faces—friends and colleagues I’ve collaborated with over the years. Equally exciting was meeting new CSR professionals who are just as passionate about the “4 Good” movement and making a lasting impact in their communities.

Fighting Hunger: The Sunday Give-Back Event

This year, I had the honor of facilitating a station at the give back event on Sunday. Together with CSR leaders from all over the country, we worked to fight hunger by donating food to the Community Resource Center San Diego. Hunger is an issue that affects communities everywhere, and knowing that we could make a tangible difference, even in just a few hours, was incredibly fulfilling. It’s always powerful to watch a group of people—many of whom had just met—come together with one goal: to make someone’s day a little better.

The sense of community, the shared purpose, and the hands-on nature of the event made it a perfect kickoff to the conference. This type of activity reminds us all why we’re in this line of work—to connect, serve, and make an impact.

Lessons Learned: Key Trends in CSR

The sessions I attended during the conference were filled with valuable insights and learnings that I’m excited to bring back to our team at Impact 4 Good and to the work we do with clients. Two key themes stood out to me:

1. The Importance of Measuring Impact

One of the biggest conversations happening in CSR right now revolves around impact measurement. It’s something we all know is important—how do we prove that what we’re doing is making a difference? Yet, many organizations, including ours, struggle with it. At ACCP, I heard from peers about the need for standardized metrics, frameworks, and better tools to measure our true impact. While no one has all the answers yet, it was comforting to know that we’re all in this together, working toward finding better ways to quantify the good we’re doing. I left feeling more inspired to refine how we approach measurement at Impact 4 Good, knowing that this will allow us to continue improving our programs and demonstrate our impact more effectively. Doing so will also give CSR professionals additional ammo to use when validating the work they’re doing…which I wish wasn’t necessary! 

1. The Power of Storytelling

One of the most powerful takeaways for me was the importance of storytelling in CSR. Numbers and data are critical, yes, but without a compelling story, it’s hard to connect with people on a human level. Storytelling gives our work heart. It makes people care about the cause, understand the journey, and become invested in the outcome.

At ACCP, I learned that great storytelling not only celebrates successes but can also highlight challenges and inspire action. The sessions emphasized the need to share stories that are authentic and resonate emotionally with audiences—whether they be employees, clients, or community members. Also that the power of stories from C-suite executives participating in impact events could carry amazing weight. This approach helps drive engagement and ensures that our work creates lasting, meaningful connections.

Moving Forward with Renewed Energy

Flying home from the ACCP conference, I feel more energized and inspired. The event served as a reminder of the power of community—both within CSR and the broader communities we serve. It also reinforced the importance of constantly evolving, learning, and sharing best practices. Additionally, it was truly mind boggling to imagine the impact the attendees have on greater society. The 300+ participants that came together in San Diego are responsible for an unfathomable amount of volunteer hours, tangible donations, grants, empowerment and more THAT CHANGE LIVES. 

At Impact 4 Good, we’re excited to integrate some of these key takeaways into our own work. From refining our measurement strategies to incorporating more compelling storytelling into everything we do, we’re committed to amplifying the positive impact we create.

I want to thank everyone who made this year’s ACCP conference so special. Your dedication to building a better world through corporate responsibility is inspiring, and I’m grateful to be a part of this incredible community.

Until next year,

Alan