Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
BiM’s Commitment to Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability
In 2005, Back in Motion initiated the Corporate Activity to promote the Respect of the Environment and Society (CARES) Committee. The Committee is sub-divided into (1) Environmental Responsibility and (2) Social Responsibility. Our top priorities are to enhance our involvement with local communities as well as work to reduce any negative impact our business practices have on the environment. CARES focuses on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of Back in Motion's services and practices.
Environmental Sustainability
Earth Day Celebration (April 20, 2007)
On April 20, BiM staff in Richmond enjoyed a delicious organic pancake
breakfast while staff in Surrey met for a nature walk around the office
neighbourhood. We even saw llamas on a nearby farm!
In the afternoon, we held a Dirty Sock contest in the parking lot.
Participants had to place a white sock over the exhaust pipes of their
cars and allowed the cars to run idle for 1 minute. The person with the
dirtiest sock, Lei, won a $40 voucher towards her next oil change.
After the contest, staff members met for a healthy snack where they got a chance to try a variety of organic foods. At the end of the day, BiM also handed out reusable tote bags that can be used for groceries.
Past Initiatives:
- Requested building managers to provide recycling containers
- Installed bike racks at the Richmond office
- Provided instructions to staff for printing 2 pages per sheet of paper and encouraged staff members to use the print preview option before printing
- Emailed staff members instructions for double-sided printing
- Began using re-usable inter-office envelopes to transfer mail between offices
- Posted signs in kitchens that provide information on containers that can be recycled
- Implemented electronic pay stubs to reduce paper consumption
- Began using fair trade coffee
- Encouraged staff to turn on the “energy saver” feature when office equipment is not in use
Social Responsibility
Camp Day at Tim Horton’s (June 6, 2007)
In support of Tim Horton's Camp Day fundraising event, Back in Motion
bought coffee for staff members. One-hundred percent of coffee proceeds
on June 6, 2007 go to send underprivileged children to camp.
Jeans Day-BC Children’s Hospital
Foundation
(April 26, 2007)
Back in Motion staff participated in the 17th Anniversary Jeans Day
event to help raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital
Foundation. We were excited to have been part of the first ever million
dollar Jeans Day.
Daffodils for Canadian Cancer Research (April 2007)
Back in Motion purchased bright yellow daffodils from the Canadian
Cancer Society to help raise money for research to fight cancer.
Richmond E-Venti Marathon (March 4, 2007)
Back in Motion sponsored the Richmond E-Venti Marathon, which donated
funds to the Richmond Public Library.
Christmas Bureau (December 2006)
Back in Motion raised funds to support the Surrey Christmas Bureau
after they were robbed. We also made a donation to the Richmond
Christmas bureau with funds raised through BiM’s in-house
bottle-recycling initiative.
Kids Yoga (January 2006)
Back in Motion put on an introductory yoga class for the Richmond
School District teachers during a Professional Development day. There
were about 12 teachers who participated in yoga for just over an hour
and then talked about the benefits of Kids Yoga (i.e., concentration,
focus, anxiety and anger management, restlessness management, etc.).
Lattes for Literacy (January 19, 2006)
In support of Starbuck’s Lattes
for Literacy fundraising initiative, Back in Motion bought Starbucks
lattes for staff. Starbucks kindly donates 100% of all Starbucks Lattes
proceeds from January 19 to the ABC Canada Literacy Foundation and
Frontier College. Both foundations work to ensure Canadians have the
necessary literacy skills to achieve success.
Salvation Army Christmas Dinner (December 2005)
Keeping within the spirit of giving, over 20 BiM staff gave their time
and volunteered at this year’s
Salvation Army Christmas Dinner. A turkey dinner with all the fixings
was served to over 100 people as they were treated to a Christmas story
play put on by the local children.
Operation Christmas Child (December 2005)
Christmas time is the time of year when people across the world can
connect through the act of giving. This year, BiM staff filled 18
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes with a variety of goods and toys to
be sent to less privileged children all over the world. http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ/
Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
In response to the great tragedy in New Orleans, BiM staff came
together to raise funds to contribute to the Katrina Relief Fund.
CIBC Run for the Cure (October 2005 & 2006)
BiM staff joined in the CIBC Run for the Cure and raised money in
support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Adopt a Family (December 2003 & 2004)
In December 2003 and December 2004, BiM staff at both the Richmond and
Surrey sites participated in the Adopt-a-Family program to support a
family in need during the holiday season.
Staff initiatives
Mexico House Building Mission Project
BiM and BiM staff collectively contributed funds, clothing and toy
donations toward the Mexico House Building Mission Project. Yvonne Yua,
Communications/Project Co-ordinator, along with a non-profit
organization, built a house for a Mexican family of six in July 2007.
A Trip to Guyana (2006)
BiM staff supported Occupational Therapist Shirin Kiani as a volunteer
for Youth Challenge International. YCI addresses development issues in
developing countries while giving youth an opportunity to see the world
and make a difference.
Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay for Kids (2005)
In 2005, Linda Van Raes, then a Job Coach for People with Disabilities,
helped raise funds to send kids with disabilities to camp.
