How do we choose what we contribute to our community involvement and why?
The 26000:2010 International Standards Institute guideline will not become an accredited ISO standard and it is split into seven main areas of which community involvement and development is one and can be ‘understood as philanthropy, philanthropic activities alone do not achieve the objective of integrating social responsibility into the organisation. ISO 26000:2010
The main areas to consider are Community involvement, what are you and your family, or your team doing already? What issues does your community face, are they examples such as rural housing, rural transport, the elderly, the young, the vulnerable, litter/fly-tipping, lack of facilities for leisure? Are you giving time to a local activity?
Sustainable Resource use: build relationships with schools and colleges. Share information and knowledge, finance research studies and offer scholarship
Employment creation and skills development: a business can choose to prefer direct employment, develop learning programs and certifications schemes. It can support skills development initiatives and offer relationships focused in training as we see with MENTA locally (www.menta.org) and business offering apprenticeship schemes Bury Canine Creche, national top 100 employer award (Jan 18) www.burycaninecreche.co.uk.
Focus on Technology development and Access: by providing free internet access and technology where not available and supporting local technology and to share knowledge/skills and information
Consider Wealth and income creation: prefer, supervise and mentor local suppliers, support local entrepreneurs, fulfill local tax responsibilities: Prefer; Supervise; Mentor
Visit Health: Eliminate negative impacts of products and services, educate communities about healthy lifestyles, raise awareness about health threats and pollution and sponsor free public access to clean water and improve sanitation
Weigh up your Social investment: Can be unsystematic or competent. Unsystematic can be on e.g. on a small scale the distribution of gifts, without ongoing support, it can build dependencies that can’t be services and has short term impact conversely competent social investment is to identify development opportunities, become self-sufficient on a larger scale, which has lasting impact and strengthens relations
At the BCMT Centre we support business in implementing the guideline through an overview workshop, and strategy planning one day workshop and a coaching implementation programme so it helps SME business identify which areas are more applicable to their business and their stakeholders as employees, which in turn strengthens their ability to compete in their marketplace. To ask a question or find our more contact us at www.bcmtcentre.co.uk or 01473 359248 or 07939990768
For future workshops and reservations see HERE