2020 was a year like no other. In just one day, all our ApplyBoard staff went from working out of an office to working from home. This change not only impacted the way that we work but also how we come together and connect as colleagues.
Despite this sudden change, our team was resilient and quick to adapt our company culture and core values in our new virtual work environment. Some of our highlights from this year include:
- Hosting 50+ events through our ApplyCommittees, bringing team members together in-person (and virtually) to connect with one another
- Raising over $50,000 in support of organizations across North America, including Black Youth Helpline, Nutrition For Learning, I Love First Peoples, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Rainbow Railroad.
- Running 5 International events, bringing team members from over 20 countries together to connect with one another
As we enter 2021, let’s take a look back at some of the #LifeatApplyBoard highlights from 2020!
January – March
The beginning of 2020 welcomed a new group of ApplyCommittee volunteers. These team members represented all of the different departments across ApplyBoard, and took an active role in planning events for all our staff through our ApplyCare, ApplyFun, and ApplyCulture committees.
The year started off with a number of in-person staff events. Some of these initiatives included a Taco Tuesday potluck raising money for the Australia Bushfire relief, a celebration for Lunar New Year, a Games Night featuring good food and some healthy competition, and an opportunity to appreciate one another to mark Random Acts of Kindness Day.
March saw the transition of all ApplyBoard Canada staff to working remote-first, but it didn’t stop our ApplyCommittee from hosting events! “Despite the rapid change in work location, ApplyCommittee members were quick to adapt,” shared Workplace Culture Specialist, Brittany Ottewill. “Volunteers quickly pivoted event plans, ensuring that our team stayed connected with each other while working from home”.
Our first virtual event was hosted by our winter co-op students, who planned a fundraiser for I Love First Peoples’ charity. This month-long campaign included a lunch and learn, an online trivia challenge, and an opportunity for team members to write letters to youth served by I Love First Peoples’ programs.
April – June
spring started off with a bang as ApplyBoard announced a C$100M Series C Funding Round, and we celebrated our 5 year anniversary!
It also marked the beginning of new virtual traditions to bring our team members together. This included all-staff chats over Wednesday lunches and virtual formal Fridays! Formal Fridays are a tradition at the ApplyBoard headquarters, inviting staff to ditch their hoodies and t-shirts for the day for some more formal attire. Moving virtual gave the team the opportunity to bring their best, and even get their pets in on the fun, sharing photos in our all-staff chat groups.
We also launched bi-weekly trivia challenges, hosted by our ApplyFun committee. Taking place over lunch, these challenges brought team members together to test their knowledge and gave them a chance to win some awesome prizes.
The spring also brought a new milestone for ApplyComittees: namely, our largest donation to date! As a company built on diversity, ApplyBoard staff mobilized to support the Black Lives Matter movement, taking part in local marches, hosting cultural awareness discussions, and raising more than $30,000 in support of the Black Youth Helpline.
ApplyCare committee members also planned a Community Care Challenge, encouraging staff to give back to their communities and spread kindness through this challenging time. We were touched by the stories and photos that were shared throughout the campaign.
Lastly, ApplyCare volunteers hosted a month-long awareness campaign in support of Pride Month. Team members were invited to a virtual pride parade, as well as emailed weekly educationational resources that covered topics such as allyship, use of pronouns, and privilege. To wrap up the campaign, staff were invited to a presentation with a guest speaker, educating the team on what we can do to continue creating a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
July – September
Kicking off the summer was a Canada Day celebration! To mark Canada’s 153rd birthday, ApplyFun volunteers hosted a Canada D’eh trivia and tested team members’ knowledge of food and slang with a fun video.
The season also marked our first global ApplyCommittee event! Hosted by volunteers from our India office, this trivia brought staff from over 20 countries together to test their general knowledge in celebration of India’s Independence Day.
Next, summer term co-op students hosted ApplySnackAttack, a campaign in support of Nutrition for Learning. Team members were invited to join a virtual minute-to-win-it challenge and a photo contest, raising over $2,000 for this important cause.
Lastly, ApplyCulture committee members continued their mission to celebrate our diversity, hosting cultural presentations on Bolas De Fuego and unveiling a new logo! Team members were invited to submit drawings of what they felt best represented the committee, and team members voted on their favourite design.
A New Logo for the ApplyCulture Committee
October – December
Kicking off October was a series of spooky celebrations to mark Halloween! ApplyFun committee members planned a virtual costume contest, Halloween trivia, and a Halloween candy bracket that kept team members in spirit.
Next up was Diwali. In celebration of the festival of lights, team members from our office in India hosted a photo contest, as well as hosted a company-wide celebration complete with dancing, live music, and some history on the celebration.
In November, ApplyBoard participated in ExtraLife, a 24-hour gaming marathon in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Team members streamed live for 24-hours straight, with staff joining in throughout the evening to game with colleagues. Best of all, the ApplyBoard team raised over $10,000 for local hospitals.
Lastly, we closed off the year with our 2020 year-end celebration. This annual event brings staff together to reflect on and celebreate our accomplishments throughout the year. This year’s event was a virtual celebration, bringing team members and their families together for entertainment, a photo-contest, prizes, and the opportunity to connect with each other.
Through all the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our ApplyFamily banded together to stay connected and support each other. We look forward to the many more events and celebrations to come!
Interested in experiencing what #LifeAtApplyBoard is like? We are Hiring! View and apply to our open roles at applyboard.com/careers
