Session Topic: Business Involvement Promotion Civic Participation
Convenor: Ushnish Sengupta
Recorder: Winston Neutel
Participants: Maya, Boritz, Peter Flaschner, Lucia Mancusco, Winston Neutel, Angela Kryhul
---------------------------

Notes:

What participation, by whom?

Supporting the brand and promoting social good.

Define "Civic Participation"

• voting
• volunteering

Business cycle is faster than the political cycle and the risk of failure is smaller. Making a business case is easier than convincing a politician to take a risk.

What businesses might benefit from increased voter turnout?

• a business like MEC might encourage people to vote to promote green issues
• a local business might benefit from increased local voter turnout, resulting in increased attentiveness by the government to the area

Businesses that own causes, vs contribute (CIBC Run for the Cure, Tim Hortons and kids' hockey)

How do individuals influence the causes that companies support?

Where can business have influence on social action

• customers
• supply chain 

How do businesses influence individuals to take action for social/civic causes? (Beyond just buying the product that 10% goes to charity). Rewards for civic action, not just purchases.

People aren't going to get involved because [big company] wants them to. There has to be some personal need. Appeal to need for change, to have voice heard.

Have a contest with emotional appeal. e.g. RBC cross-Canada Olympic torch run. Competition to carry the torch based on who has been most involved in their community. 

Has to be more than the purchase of the product. If you have a goal, be as transparent as possible. 

Depends on your involvement in the community. Ask the local community how you should be engaged (e.g. start with employees)

Promote the organizations that need help in the community. Don't focus on global.

Right now it's hard to find (via google, e.g.) a place to volunteer and make a difference locally

Starbucks free coffee for voting. Method of tracking community involvement -- get points which increase your discount. Flipping the "a portion of the proceeds" campaign. Empowering the individual to take action.

High school student has to give 40 hours of community service. Agency signs off. Similar system possible for adults?

---------------------------

What has to happen next?

Organizations needing volunteers can use this concept to approach businesses.

More research.

Take advantage of existing web sites? Facebook?

Volunteer