This year, our nation will participate in a historical presidential election. All of us have much at stake — and small businesses are no exception. From tax structures to healthcare reform, immigration, and other issues, small businesses will be impacted by the outcome of the election. Having an educated and civically engaged workforce benefits your business and your community.

Companies that encourage and empower their employees to participate in their civic duties earn respect from their employees. Also, many businesses’ missions are directly related to hot-button election issues, such as energy efficiency, gun control, and other regulatory or industry issues addressed at the federal, state, or local level. By having a workforce that understands the problems and the voting process, businesses can be instrumental in addressing matters important to their survival as a company.

I’m proud to work for Zions Bank, a company that encourages civic and community involvement. One of the Guiding Principles of Zions Bank is to give back to our communities, and one way we do this is through nonpartisan encouragement for employees to involve themselves in civic activities and dialogue.

Here are some ideas to help your employees get engaged in the process:

1. Plan ahead for Election Day schedules so that your employees have a chance to go out and vote. This sends a strong message to your employee that you not only support this process, but that you care about the direction of this country and our community.

2. Once a year, as a business chooses a charitable entity or a non-profit to support, make it a team effort by organizing employees to volunteer and assist

3. Provide information and resources to your employees on the electoral process and voter registration. In addition, nonpartisan information offered by the League of Women Voters [http://lwvutah.org/] or the elections office at your local or state level can offer nonpartisan information for voters to be well-informed.

4. Encourage participation at the precinct caucus level , where the electoral process begins.

Remember we all benefit from an engaged and a politically educated workforce.