#schongenial: What does volunteering mean to you personally?
Othmar Nagl: For me, volunteering means attitude and responsibility. It allows me to actively participate, contribute something meaningful and broaden my own view of the world in the process. The direct contact with people who are dependent on support shows me time and again how important reliability, empathy and long-term commitment are.
I also really appreciate the value of volunteering in my job. At Oberösterreichische, we experience every day how employees dedicate their free time and energy to clubs, social institutions or organisations such as the Red Cross or the fire brigade. This commitment demonstrates the strength of social cohesion.
#schongenial: Was there a key experience in your life that sparked or strengthened your interest in volunteering?
Othmar Nagl: Yes, definitely. Even as a child, I admired the voluntary commitment of many of my fellow musicians in the local brass bands. They devoted themselves with great dedication to training us young musicians.
We were taught at the regional music schools and then joined the music clubs, where they even set up their own youth bands. When I was later asked to take on the honorary role of chairman of the TONART - Friends of the Upper Austrian Music Schools association, it was immediately clear to me that I would be very happy to do it. For me, it's an ideal complement to the great work I do in the music clubs and orchestras.
#schongenial: Where and how do you volunteer yourself today?
Othmar Nagl: I volunteer as a board member of the Upper Austrian Multiple Sclerosis Society. I contribute my experience there, particularly in strategic, organisational and economic issues, with the aim of sustainably strengthening support for those affected and their families.
The direct dialogue with people who live with this disease is particularly formative for me. It puts many things into a very human perspective and relativises some things that often seem too important in everyday life.
#schongenial: Why is volunteering an important part of the corporate culture?
Othmar Nagl: Because it makes values such as responsibility, cohesion and solidarity directly tangible. When employees give their time and energy for others, it not only strengthens the community outside the company, but also the team spirit within it.
For us, economic success and social responsibility belong together. We consciously promote voluntary work because it shows that our employees not only take responsibility professionally, but also on a personal level. This is precisely what characterises our corporate culture in the long term.
#schongenial: Why does Oberösterreichische Versicherung support volunteering so specifically?
Othmar Nagl: Because we can't say thank you enough. Many things in our society would simply not be possible without volunteers. In Upper Austria alone, we are talking about around 2.8 million hours of voluntary work per week.
Our support is not only of a financial or organisational nature, but also cultural. We want to live a corporate culture in which commitment is made visible, valued and actively encouraged. Everyone benefits from this: the people who receive help, our employees and ultimately the company itself.
#schongenial: In which areas is your company currently particularly involved?
Othmar Nagl: As a company with strong regional roots, social responsibility is a matter of course for us. One current example is our partnership with the Upper Austrian Red Cross. Among other things, we support campaigns for first aid training, the promotion of volunteering and initiatives such as World Red Cross Day or the first aid competitions organised by the Red Cross Youth.
We also promote health and community within our own organisation. In 2025, for example, we took part in the cross-company Fit Up New Year's Challenge and came second in Austria. This shows how much we actively promote team spirit, health and quality of life.
#schongenial: And how do you support employees who want to volunteer?
Othmar Nagl: On several levels. We offer flexible working time models that make it possible to volunteer alongside work. We also support employee initiatives and local projects financially or organisationally.
Our goal is clear: volunteering should not only be possible, but expressly encouraged. After all, employees who get involved not only strengthen society, but also develop valuable social and personal skills.
#schongenial: Mr Nagl, thank you very much for this #schongenial interview.
