The Backyard Philanthropist

May 21, 2010

Corporate Social Responsibility versus Corporate Moral Responsibility – Is there a difference?

Filed under: Moral Agent — Tags: , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 8:38 am

We talk a lot about CSR, known as Corporate Social Responsibility, and what that means but rarely do you hear Corporate Moral Responsibility mentioned.  It has me thinking about whether or not the two are really that different.

Wikipedia defines Corporate Social Responsibility, also known as corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, responsible business, sustainable responsible business (SRB), or corporate social performance,[1] is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. Ideally, CSR policy would function as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby business would monitor and ensure its support to law, ethical standards, and international norms. Consequently, business would embrace responsibility for the impact of its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. Furthermore, CSR-focused businesses would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community growth and development, and voluntarily eliminating practices that harm the public sphere, regardless of legality. Essentially, CSR is the deliberate inclusion of public interest into corporate decision-making, and the honoring of a triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.

So how is this different from Corporate Moral Responsibility?  Interestingly enough, Wikipedia doesn’t have a definition for Corporate Moral Responsibility.  When searching for CMR, ‘moral responsibility’ simply comes up.  A person, or in this case, a company/corporation, has a moral responsibility if they are responsible for something occurring.  And if something does occur, then they are responsible for the outcome, good or bad.  In most cases, we tend to hear the bad outcomes much like the Louisiana Oil Spill and BP’s responsibility for the disaster.

It gets even more complicated in that we can also be called ‘moral agents’ and such, can have ‘causal responsibility’ for the disaster that occurred.

Moral agents are those who have a moral responsibility for an action.

I argue that we are ALL moral agents, and regardless of what we label it, CSR or CMR.  If we all went about our day, our business understanding that our actions have an impact on our world, on our neighbours, our environment, we would think twice about how we do business, where we do business, who we do business with.  We would align our businesses with other ‘moral agents’.

As a moral agent, it removes any suggestion of hypocrisy or insincerity in our business practice.  As much as I do agree we need developed business ethics, fair trade policies and organizations like B Corp, I think the core of CSR and/or CMR comes down to an individual being that ‘moral agent’.

So is there really a difference between Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Moral Responsibility?  I don’t think so, they are one of the same.

Whipping out the door with my ‘moral agent’ cape flapping in the wind…anyone care to join me?

April 30, 2010

New! Pinc’s Customizable Peer to Peer Pledge Platform

With more and more organizations integrating to online fundraising, and third party events supporting our backyard community initiatives, Pinc felt it was time to upgrade it’s Peer to Peer Pledge Platform.

Pincgiving’s Peer to Peer Pledge Platform is now completely customizable for any organization, nonprofit or event.  You get access to a CMS, content management system, to design your home page anyway you like.  With Pincgiving’s fully customizable Pledge Platform, you determine the look and feel of your event from beginning to end.

Peer to Peer Pledge Page example

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without Pincgiving’s innovative donation software and access to full donor reporting.  You also have admin access allowing you to be notified of any donations or participants signing up, with full approval process.

Creating a fundraising event for your organization couldn’t be any easier.   Some added features include:

  • Ability for participants to add video clips of past participation or video testimonials of why they are supporting your event
  • Ability for participants to share their pledge page; encouraging friends, family and their community for support
  • Asking donors to incur transaction fees on behalf of the participant and/or organization (Pinc’s donors’ incur transaction fees 98% of the time allowing 100% of the donation to remain with the organization)
  • E-receipting
  • Automatic ‘thank you’ to donors
  • Exportable donor reporting

Give us a call today to discuss your Peer to Peer Pledge needs for your event.  Golf season is around the corner!

(604) 684-7462

info@pincgiving.com

April 29, 2010

2010 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 9:56 am

M+R Strategic Services and NTEN are proud to present the eNonprofit Benchmarks Study for 2010, analyzing online messaging, fundraising, and advocacy data from 31 leading nonprofit organizations.  This study is US based, however, can indicate and influence other global communities including Canada and the UK.

Key Findings:

  • Email fundraising response rates were .13%, and email advocacy response rates were 4.00%.
  • The average gift size for a one-time online gift was $81.33.
  • Annual email file churn was just under 17%.
  • The average study participant sent 4 emails per subscriber per month, but Environmental nonprofits sent their subscribers 5.2 emails per month, while Health nonprofits sent just 2.1 emails per month, on average.
  • Online fundraising grew overall by 4.5% between 2008 and 2009, and for half of the nonprofits in the study, online revenue either held steady with 2008 or declined. This decline was driven by a drop in the average gift size.
  • Environmental nonprofits in the study raised 96% of their online revenue from one-time gifts. Health nonprofits, on the other hand, raised 50% of their online revenue from “other” gifts (including event giving) and tribute gifts. International groups lead the way through monthly giving, which made up more than 25% of their online revenue.

Accelerating Social Entrepreneurs and Non Profit Leaders

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 7:27 am

On May 5th from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the Hollyhock Room of the Flack Building (corner of Hastings and Cambie) non-profit leaders and social entrepreneurs will be gathering in a casual meet and greet with eight leaders from the following Australian organizations:

Service To Youth Council, Steps (disability employment services), Whitelion (empowering youth), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Australia, Goolari Media Enterprises (indigenous operated media), and Youth Inc.

*Their group consists of CEOs representing a range of youth, disability and indigenous employment services spread throughout Australia including:

We invite anyone interested in these topics or in engaging in a casual meet and greet with like minded leaders in the Nonprofit sector.

For more information please contact:

Laura Mack
Odyssey Leadership Centre
One Page Business Plan  Consultant
Authentic Leadership Circle TM Facilitator
Profile:
604-929-7961
2010 Authentic Leadership Circles
Thank you Hollyhock for partial sponsorship of this series.

April 12, 2010

Grassroots ‘re distribution’ of wealth; Delta’s Annual Spring Cleanup

Filed under: Uncategorized — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 2:27 pm

Every year I am both shocked and dismayed when in my community of Ladner, British Columbia the annual ’spring cleanup’ occurs.  Once a year, our city has given our community 72 hours to dig through our over stuffed garages, our cluttered yards, and under the stairs for unused or broken items.

This year I tossed to the curb the old porch screen that got broken when one of the dogs ran through it, an old sandbox table that someone outgrew, luggage that got wrecked in my many travels and plant pots, a couple lamps I no longer use that were taking up valuable garage space.  Oh, and an old go kart the boys made many years ago that was getting rusted at the side of the house under the pine tree!

For me to take all those items to our local garbage dump, not only would it entail me attempting to backup with the trailer on, but it would also cost me about $20.00.  Spring cleanup takes merely an hour of my time to go through my garage and discover items that can be ridden.

So, the stuff goes out the curb…and a wondrous thing occurs; for 72 hours people from around our community and beyond drive slowly along the streets scoping out other people’s junk.  My discarded lamp was picked up by a woman walking by with her dog.  The sandbox table by a family who happened to be driving by.

Large trucks roll along picking up feverishly all and anything that has metal especially copper; these are the professionals who then take all that metal and recycle it making money.  Can you imagine?  Making money from old rod, old broken down bicycles, barbecues…what a novel concept.  AND cleaning up our neighborhood in the process.

We hear a lot about recycling, how we have too much stuff in our homes.  Did you know one of the biggest growing industries is mobile storage?  And look at the reality show, ‘Hoarders’.  They are in no way at a lost for participants for their show.

I applaud my community and the city leaders for maintaining spring cleanup when many other communities in the lower mainland have chosen to cancel this annual junk frenzy as it is too time consuming and costly to their city.  Spring clean up is one of the most grassroots way of re distributing our wealth in the form of ’stuff’.  You know the saying, ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’ and that is so evident during spring clean up days.

Now if only someone would take that go cart before my kids get home from school!!

March 31, 2010

United Nations Regional Forum Conference featuring Mark Kielburger and Beverley Pomeroy

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 4:43 pm

We would like to invite you to attend a United Nations Regional Forum in Kelowna, BC.

If you are an individual, non-profit organization, or foundation interested in working towards Global and Local Humanitarian goals you will want to attend this forum.

Learn from an array of national and international speakers working ‘hands’ on and making a difference here at home and around the globe.

This forum will focus on Millennium Development Goal #3 (Gender Equality) while also helping you identify how you can strengthen your organization and engage tomorrows leaders.

Please see the UN Informal Regional Network Canada Conference for details, or go to www.ngonetworks.com

When:           April 23, 24

Where:  Kelowna, BC – Sandman Hotel

Cost:           $30 in advance, $50 at the door

We hope to see you at the forum.

World Autism Awareness Day April 1st

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 7:33 am

This Thursday, April 1st, families, individuals and members of the Canucks Autism Network will take to the streets of downtown Vancouver to raise awareness for autism. The rally which begins at 7:30am on the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, will weave it’s way around the Art Gallery, along Dunsmuir Street, Burrard Street, and Georgia Street, and finally back to the North Plaza where Senator Larry Campbell and other guests will address the crowd.

One highlight of the event will include the reading of the City of Vancouver Proclamation by Councillor Suzanne Anton recognizing April 1st as World Autism Awareness Day in Vancouver.  Look for special guests that include Senator Larry Campbell, who will act as Parade Marshal, and CTV’s Coleen Christie, who will MC the event.  We are very pleased to have Lindsay Neilson, Bill Karny and Myles McKie also speak – each have their own personal connection with autism and we are thrilled that they have agreed to participate in this event.  Vancouver City councillors, Kerry Jang and Andrea Reimer will also be attending, and FIN, the official mascot of the Vancouver Canucks, will be making an appearance.

The rally will happen rain or shine, however (knock on wood) the weather forecast is calling for sun!  Coffee and snacks will be provided by Bean Around the World and Moore’s Bakery and The PEAK music tent will be host to a live performance by singer/songwriter, Bodhi Jones.

We hope you will join us in celebrating this important day and help us support people affected by autism in our province.

March 26, 2010

Personal versus Professional

Filed under: Pinc gets personal- stuff we care about — Tags: , , , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 5:38 pm

I think all of us run into moments when we have to choose between personal and professional during the course of running our business.  Being ’self employed’ lends itself to that balance on an almost daily basis.  Being ‘value driven’ even more so…

I find myself today really struggling between personal / professional.  Many of us who are involved in nonprofit or cause sectors choose to because of a desire to make a difference in our communities.  So how do you not have personal slip into your professional world?

A lot of what I do is because of my experiences with my daughter, Sophia, who on  a daily basis struggles to ‘be’.  Though she is happy, is always singing and literally wakes up every morning exclaiming ‘it is going to be a sunny day today’, it still is hard not to feel as her mother.  She requires injections every three hours, is fed through a feeding tube twenty four hours a day, requires seizure medications, is two thirds of the size of her classmates, and the list of medications she takes morning, noon and night is the length of my arm.

Never mind the prognosis, there isn’t one.

So how does an executive director of a food bank not be impacted by the hungry?  How does the lead nurse at a Children’s oncology unit not be effected by seeing children suffer?  A manager of a humane society rescuing animals who have been mistreated, beaten…a tourist in a foreign country witnessing absolute poverty and famine.

How do we go about our day maintaining our jobs, working in our nonprofit / cause sector and not have personal slip in?

We don’t…

March 15, 2010

Everything I wanted to say on my SXSW Film panel but couldn’t…

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 7:30 am

As with any panel discussion you participate in, there is always limited time and opportunity to get your thoughts out on the particular topic you have been asked to speak about.  In my case, the Reel to Real; How Good Film does Good panel at SXSW was an interesting mix with three members of Lights Camera Help, Ramya from Youtube and myself.

Aaron Bramley was gracious enough to send over ten questions prior to our panel and I did my scholarly duty of going through each of the questions in preparing for our session.  Though some of the questions were addressed, there were many that were not due to time limitations.

The first questions was ‘what makes a good cause driven film? Well, I addressed that in a blog post the other week, so click here for ten questions to ask yourself regarding what makes a good cause driven film.

What opportunities are there for nonprofit organizations in the world of film and video?

This genre is growing exponentially and I am not sure that film makers and the nonprofit community quite ’see’ the overlap and natural alignment between film and causes.  With the large growth in independent film and film makers and with content driven by the values and passions of the film makers themselves, a lot more films being made are having ’cause’ driven content.  In the panel discussion I used The Hurt Locker and The Cove as an example of recent films, Oscar award winning films, that have causes directly aligned with their movies.  The Hurt Locker has three organizations supporting military personal and The Cove has taken it one step further and integrated social media and actionable opportunities on their website for people to get involved and make a difference in the fight against Dolphin killers and the Japanese Government.

How do I create a cause driven film?

This question depends on if you are a nonprofit organization or a film maker.  For nonprofits, find your story within your organization; be it a person impacted by your service, a program itself.  Prepare a one page summary / synopsis of that story and then go find people who can contribute to bringing your story to light.  Be it film students, interns from the local universities, a volunteer in your organization, your media partners.

Now if you are a film maker, well, I believe film makers should do exactly what they do…make great films, be passionate about your role, your stories.  Many people call themselves ‘aspiring’ film makers, I like to call them ‘inspiring’ film makers…inspire us, and through your passionate lens a cause that naturally fits your film can be discovered.  Just look around your own community…local or global.

I challenge you to pick any film and find a cause you can associate with it…

What distribution networks should I use?

Now this was addressed to a certain degree, Youtube being a natural fit for a lot of cause video online.  However, I am a true believer in aggragating offline with online, so if you have a film with a cause, a message, there are a variety of ways to distribute your film independently.  Naturally, I advocate using The Life On Purpose Network for cause driven film because of our niche market and actionable opportunities built in.  However, in regards to offline, there are so many film festivals out there, enter your film in all of them.  Same goes to say for contests, there are contests for film you can also enter, some cause driven others conventional film festival contests.  Just start putting it out there.  You can also have a local screening in your own community, talk to the people around you, get businesses involved…create an event around it that also supports a nonprofit that aligns with your films message.

What if my organization can’t afford to make a film?

This is a much asked question at Pinc Productions by our nonprofit community.  Every grassroots initiative has a story, a good one, a compelling reason for people to support it, to ensure its sustainability.  How do you get that message out in film if you have limited resourced? Find film makers in your community, go to the film schools, even high schools and ask around who is making films.  Those who are starting out in the industry tend to want the experience, need alternative content, and to add to their portfolio.  Working for a nonprofit is a good addition to their CV.

Equipment rental companies who have cameras, lighting, are good if you ask.  At Pinc, we have created relationships with equipment providers and when we do ask, they donate the equipment for special events in lieu of a charitable receipt from the organization, a gift in kind. There are ways around it, even if you have existing footage, a student can edit it into a usable piece for your online engagement.

Why is film better than other media for telling my story?

Film encompasses sight, sound, music, and can create an energy visually for viewers that engages and inspires them.  And it has to be used with your other media.  Integrate film into your overall community and donor engagement strategy, it is a ‘part of’ that overall strategy to communicate the work your organization is doing to serve your community.

What is the ROI for Nonprofits / Cause Organizations using film?

This is always hard to measure especially if the film/content is being used through social media.  BUT there are views on your video that can be used as a measure, comments both good and not so good, and through The Life On Purpose Network, with our built in donation capability we can directly measure the financial impact of your film on viewers.

Of course, there are the unmeasurable ROI components; people being inspired by your film and being actionable in their own community…almost like the book ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’, you just never know who you have impacted.  And sometimes…that is the true fulfillment of film, or inspiring people through media…that they then go out and make a difference in their own community.

March 13, 2010

New online media platform drives viewers to cause driven video

Filed under: Events — Tags: , , , , — Beverley Claire Pomeroy @ 6:11 am

MEDIA ADVISORY

New online media platform drives viewers to cause driven video

VANCOUVER, March 10, 2010- Pinc Productions unveils the Life On Purpose Network- a one-of-a-kind online philanthropic media platform at SXSW in Austin, Texas today.

The Life On PurposeNetwork (www.LifeOnPurposeNetwork.com), also known as LOPN, is a NEW online television network dedicated to broadcasting the inspiring stories of people making a difference. The purpose of this specialty Network is to connect viewers with meaningful causes and facilitate charitable giving through its integrated donation software provided by PincGiving. The Life On PurposeNetwork enables individuals, organizations and specific fundraising initiatives to showcase their purpose-driven work locally and globally.

Originally created to showcase cause driven video acquired by its parent company Pinc Productions, the Life On Purpose Network has gained momentum filling the immediate gap in this kind of online media.  The Network’s built-in “donate to this cause” application connects viewers with meaningful causes and helps support the work of non-profit organizations and charities making a difference.

With a variety of content from IFAW (International Fund of Animal Welfare) to a candid interview with Victor Chan from the Dalai Lama Centre- www.lifeonpurposenetwork.com will revolutionize the way people use online video technology to connect with the causes they support, and how we communicate and connect to each other.  All videos uploaded to LOPN also automatically syndicate with YouTube.

“We know that online fundraising can be incredibly daunting to organizations that have little or no exposure to online social networking or social media,” says Beverley Pomeroy, founder of Pinc Productions and the Life On Purpose Network. “And with technology changing at the speed of light, for organizations that are already struggling with resources, Pinc/LOPN provides the perfect solution that has reach to a target audience.”

Video content, as well as all collaborative materials showcased on LOPN, are vetted and screened in-house before they can be uploaded onto the network.  For more about LOPN and how to upload cause driven content today, visit www.lifeonpurposenetwork.com.

Beverley Pomeroy is speaking on Saturday, March 13th at 2pm on a panel called “Real to Real: How good film does good” with fellow cause film advocates Aaron Bramley and Rich Vazquez, from Lights Camera Help and Ramya Raghaven from Youtube.

Follow @beverleypomeroy throughout her SXSW experience…

Beverley Pomeroy is available for interviews and can be contacted through:

Chantale Fontaine

1-888-683-7462

chantale@pincproductions.ca

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