2011 A Record Year for Solvera Community Support
Date: Jan 9, 2012
Every year at this time, Managing Principal Jim Ostertag takes a moment to reflect on the positive impact that Solvera and its employees have on our home communities over the past twelve months. “One of our company values is Caring, and this shines through in our treatment of employees, suppliers and clients, and our clear demonstration of corporate social responsibility.”
In December, Ostertag and Community Care Chair Desiree McKee reported the Year in Review numbers to employees and proudly announced a new record level of community support. “I am continually impressed by the giving nature of our people, both with their level of financial contributions to the United Way and our other charitable causes, and the number of volunteer hours completed during the year,” he said. Among the highlights Ostertag and McKee shared:
$40,000 raised, including $4,200 from Solvera, and 500 volunteer hours dedicated to hosting the 2011 Autism Resource Centre Charity Softball Tournament
- Involvement of 25 employees and 280 volunteer hours to assist in building five Habitat for Humanity houses
- $59,000 in combined employee and corporate donations to United Way campaigns in Regina, Calgary and Winnipeg, plus the hosting of two United Way Day of Caring events and 200 volunteer hours
- 38 employees involved in Prostate Cancer Canada and Breast Cancer Canada walks, runs and Movember, raising a total of $30,600 and important awareness
- Support for Queen City and Winnipeg marathons, with 136 volunteer hours dedicated to planning these events and hosting water stations
- $5,500 in sponsorship for Saskatchewan Science Centre’s Fantasy Food fundraiser, which helps to provide educational programming support for the Centre
- Mounds of food donations, plus the volunteer support of 36 employees and family members in support of annual food drives for Regina Food Bank and Winnipeg Harvest
- $3,800 raised by employee teams in annual Juvenile Diabetes Canada Rides
- Five families sponsored through annual Adopt a Family/Christmas Cheer holiday campaigns
- 35 employee donors to scheduled IT Blood Challenges of Canadian Blood Services
- $14,000 in corporate charitable contributions directed by employees to a wide range worthwhile causes on behalf of Solvera
“It adds up to direct financial support of more than $190,000, plus about 1,400 hours of time and talent in 2011,” totaled Ostertag. “None of this would happen without a genuine caring spirit from employees backed by solid effort, so we are grateful for the employee support and thankful on behalf of the recipients.”
When pressed for reasons for this level of success, Ostertag points to the partnership approach between the company and its employees. “Our employee community care committee ensures that the company and employees are working together to address real community needs, and doing so in a manner that personally involves many of us.”
A key enabler of Solvera’s community support is the Corporate Development Program, which provides each employee the ability to expense up to $500 (or use eight hours of company time) for activities related to Solvera’s corporate development, such as hosting clients or making charitable donations. “When financial donations are made, tax receipts are issued to Solvera, but the donation is directed by employees and the personal connection is also made through the employee,” he explains.
According to Ostertag, the popular concept embodies the highly-engaged environment at Solvera. “It’s a way for Solvera to involve employees in ambassadorial work that will build our corporate reputation in the marketplace and general community, while at the same time helping employees to directly support causes that are important to them. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, especially the community.”