Today is the start of the seven-and-a-half week long “Give Back Iowa Challenge.” Leah Rodenberg of Alliant Energy is co-chair of the effort, which is designed to get Iowa business owners to encourage their employees to volunteer.

Angela Ten Clay of Wellmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield is the other co-chair.

Companies can sign up for the challenge online at www.volunteeriowa.org. The challenge starts April 14th and ends May 31st. Businesses that wind up with the highest average of volunteer hours per employee will get a congratulatory visit from the governor or lieutenant governor. Iowa currently ranks sixth among the states for the number of volunteer hours per resident.