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DAY

Office Politics

10:30 a.m.

Corporate

Social Responsibility 2.0

Start a Responsible Work Culture

WELCOME TO 21ST CENTURY VOLUNTEERISM where business leaders have a unique opportunity to incorporate philanthropy into the office. From Telus donating mobile phones to emergency workers after Haiti’s devastating earthquake to Walmart giving out energy-saving light bulbs to staff, there are so many ways for businesses to leverage their strengths. Look to domestic initiatives and figure out how to make volunteering a family activity for employees. It’s easy for corporations to reinvent their image and create change using their products.Travelling to new countries requires culture shock preparation. But Tania Carnegie could not have prepared for the KPMG employee trip to Kenya. Simply put: the people of the Maasai Mara rocked her world. Tania’s been involved in community outreach for years but she met people in Africa who redefined what it meant to give back. They were working hard to make their small piece of the world a better place. Back in Canada, Tania and KPMG “adopted” three villages in the Maasai Mara, putting plans in place for sustainable water projects, alternative income, education and health care. But she felt the need to do more. Pretty soon, she drafted a plan to inspire KPMG employees to support their community year-round, just as she’d seen a world away in Kenya. Today the accounting company has one of the most ambitious corporate engagement programs in the country. Every employee – all 5,500 of them – is responsible for contributing to their community on his or her own terms, whether working in a community garden or building a home for low income families. Along the way, volunteers get help and support from Tania and the rest of KPMG’s engagement staff.

TIPS FOR CEOSPick a charity that is aligned with your brand to leverage for social good.Look to social media to get the word out about charitable initiatives.Start an annual awards ceremony, complete with staff nominations, to recognize the extra hours and hard work put in by employees.Create appreciation cards for employees to send to one another after a stellar project or volunteer effort.Encourage managers to become actively engaged in the company’s volunteer projects and lead by example.Ask about payroll deduction programs with your human resources department, for quick, easy and regular donations to a charity of your choice.A volunteer trip is an excellent bonding exercise for a team. On your return, host an informal lunch time slideshow to share your initiatives and experiences with the rest of the staff.

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Living Me To We | Day

DAY

Office Politics

10:30 a.m.

STRONG COMPANY ROOTS

A socially conscious company has room to grow

GO TO PAGE 160 FOR MORE TIPS AND INFORMATION

Source: Imagine Canada, Wall Street Journal.

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