HISTORY
Dress-Down Day ~ Creativity Caravan
In 2001 our organisation agreed on a policy to allow employees to dress down in
business casual wear on Fridays. Dressing down on Friday’s was one way to boost
employees’ morale, but we wanted something more, we wanted this day to signify
something of value, we wanted to dress down with a purpose.
It was this hunger for something meaningful that led to the idea that each
person should contribute a fix amount on a monthly basis ($10), which of course
was backed by a matching contribution from the company. We also agreed that this
fund would be used to support and increase the creativity levels of the Nation’s
less fortunate children. To this end our programme was brought to life –
Creativity Caravan.
CHANGE … EVOLUTION
Over the years we expanded our focus to address a wider societal need; in
addition to the needs of the less fortunate children, we focused our attention
on families and community type involvement; but we worked mainly through
established institutions or organisation.
Through these establishments we got an appreciation for the need, and we simply
provided the funds, we were not very hands-on. Our involvement then was hearing
about the case, determining what we can do, assessing the financial
contribution, cutting a cheque and making a visit to hand over the cheque.
There were however, a few initiatives that we got more involved, in 2004 with
the passing of hurricane Ivan we shifted gears and provided some relief to our
colleagues in Grenada; in 2005 our library initiative provided bookcases with
new and used books to eleven homes/schools - with this initiative more employees
got involved.
The big shift came in 2007 where the entire organisation was engaged in a Pay It
Forward challenge (see section titled Pay It Forward for our success stories).
This initiative was a tremendous success from the perspective of teamwork and
togetherness it brought for the employees.
ON THE HORIZON
If would appear that we have a winning recipe with Pay it Forward; families
benefits and employees benefit. Maybe this is the missing link in attaining a
healthy balance of work and life … and an opportunity to contribute to something
worthwhile. In 2008 we will continue with this drive, with the focus on
supporting The Family (see section titled Support a Family – our 2008 Pay it
Forward initiative).
PAY IT FORWARD - 2008 INITIATIVE
We are going to build a house for a family - 2008.pdf
PAY IT FORWARD - 2007 INITIATIVE
Carol Ragoobar captured the experiences of her team (Team San Fernando) through
her beautiful literature. Carol painted a vivid picture that captured the heart
and mind of the reader; readers were so moved resulting in an outpouring of more
financial support with each article.
2007 Pay It Forward.pdf
Pay It Forward - Intranet.pps
August Help the Hungry Initiative.doc
July Help the Hungry Initiative.doc
June Help the Hungry Initiative.doc
First Initiative - San Fernando.doc
Second Initiative - San Fernando.doc
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