In today's complex business environment, many corporate citizenship leaders are working strategically with their employee resource groups (ERGs). Also known as business network groups or affinity groups, these employee-led communities can foster a sense of inclusion and belonging, while sponsoring events and learning opportunities for people all throughout an organization.
Inspiring Stories that Explore New Perspectives
The following is an excerpt from Issue 32 of the Corporate Citizen.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
Welcome to the new, new world. As I write this message from my home office, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create unprecedented disruption and change. Widespread physical distancing measures are affecting our social interactions and every sector of our economy.
For those working in corporate citizenship, this is not the first complex issue we have tackled on a global scale. However, the immediate threats to human life and our economy cannot be understated. Many companies have stepped forward in admirable ways to support their employees, customers, and communities. In the coming months and years, businesses will likely be expected to play a larger role to ensure a cohesive society and to protect our natural environment.
As we see the societal expectations of businesses intensify, the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is here to help—we are dedicated to supporting you with the information you need. On our website and in your inbox, we are cataloguing more resources than ever to help you address the critical needs of your communities, remain agile through disruption, and plan for future success. We have compiled them all in one place on our new Resource(ful) page.
Our new issue of The Corporate Citizen features resilient companies that have adapted their corporate citizenship programs to address complex issues such as economic inequality, natural disasters, and COVID-19. As part of our ongoing effort to deliver conference content in a virtual format, we feature our conference convening sponsor, FedEx, in a story of how the company has supported employees, customers, and first responders from the beginning of the outbreak. I am inspired to see FedEx and hundreds of other companies step up during this crisis, using their core capabilities to provide in-kind product donations, robust remote working and paid leave policies, remote volunteering, employee relief funds, and other support structures.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and thank our members, conference sponsors, affinity groups, and our excellent team for the exemplary way in which they have rolled with the punches, showed their support for the Center, and maintained their commitment to our mission. Thank you! We know that trying times lie ahead for all of us yet—but we look forward to supporting your important work every step of the way.
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