Geoteaming president and self-proclaimed "Big Kid" John Chen answers additional questions from the Innovate and Educate With Your CSR Program webinar, which originally aired on July 15, 2015.
1. Can you please share where the study on CSR you mentioned came from?
Here is the source for my studies: http://visual.ly/business-case-csr
2. Can you share any innovative, “outside-of-the-box” types of CSR programs you think are particularly interesting?
Check out Hill Top Artists, located in the Seattle area and founded by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly. They help transform the lives of area youth through tuition-free glass blowing.
3. Do you have any advice for someone who's new to this industry and is managing their company's CSR program?
Here is one useful link (PDF file). Another way to do this is to find another CSR manager who is having success and ask them what the best things are that they are doing. Lastly, make sure the goals are clear and connected with the business, find a way to measure your results, and then report back to those in charge.
4. How much do the Clean the World kits cost?
Kits start at $3.50 each (shipping included!) for Clean the World, with 100-kit minimum order.
You can request it here.
5. Is there a separate cost for a facilitator for the Clean the World program?
Great question. Facilitator costs vary, but we are very happy to discuss that with you. Please e-mail sseipler@cleantheworld.org or Tammi Runzler at trunzler@cleantheworld.com.
6. We held a very successful soup drive last September—"Souper September"—We purchased 500 cans of soup and "sold" them to our attendees. Once purchased, we put the cans in a barrel that was donated to our local food pantry. We sold more than 500 cans, and the extra money went to the food bank as well. Easy.
Great example! Thanks.
7. What is the best way to execute a CSR program internationally, without having to ship pallets of products that may be subject to customs?
One way is to bring nothing and offer only your professional services. Another way is to use the Empty Suitcase program and have participants find a way to bring items in on their own instead of shipping pallets.
At $4.50 per suitcase, this is a very affordable program.
8. What was the organization's cost to produce this CSR?
For the Hilltop Artists, the cost was NOTHING! All the glass was donated, then sold to create more than $2,000 in fundraising by the end of the event.
This is an innovative way to provide CSR when you have no budget, but time.
9. You can use GUIDESTAR to check on a nonprofit?
Yes, you can check any U.S. nonprofit with 501c3 status here. Look for Form 990 to get financial results and look at how much goes to the charity vs. overhead.
10. I have a hard time getting people to pay attention to the nonprofit during the event, and especially at receptions. Can you share some innovative ways folks have got their attendees educated about the CSR activity either prior to or at the event?
Here are three tips:
- Get an engaging speaker from the nonprofit and relate it to your content, especially if you can get a nonprofit that your leadership is passionate about.
- Surprise them: Many teambuilding events have you do things like build a bike that they think THEY are going to race, then surprise them that local kids are to receive the bikes.
- Take them on a site visit: Visit the nonprofit as part of your content; this will immediately impact them on how others might have to live and remind them how their company can make a real difference in their lives.
Editor's Note: Like this webinar? We have a number of informative webinars lined-up for the rest of year. Register today and we'll send you a reminder so you don't forget to tune-in and get educated!
