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In This Issue
This month in The ZOË Chronicles we take another hop around the globe to visit Guatemala. We are so excited about this project and its impact on an impoverished community and people with developmental disabilities. Also highlighted are some of the key thoughts of leaders in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility. Enjoy!
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Raul's Story
 Raul Ramires was born in an impoverished rural area in Guatemala. All of the people who live in this region experience the challenges associated with poverty, however Raul had the added challenge of being born deaf and mute. CH Global met Raul walking alone in a field at the age of 12. As he developed the ability to communicate, they learned of the childhood abuse he had experienced and were able to help him within their group home setting.
The significance of this opportunity for work and business in the rural regions of Guatemala are difficult to understand for us here in North America. There are literally no other opportunities for a person with a disability for work.
For Raul and the other men and women on this project to receive a fair income and to be able to provide for themselves and their families is the answer to a life long dream. One that many despair of ever realizing.
It is almost impossible to describe how excited Raul and everyone involved are. I think the best way is with a story. After the most recent order was completed and the whole team had been paid, Raul disappeared for a while. He returned with bottles of Coca Cola for everyone - on him! He was so proud to be able to make this gesture of appreciation and excited for the whole team to celebrate together.
Fifteen years later he has come a long way from a little boy walking in the field. He is now a student, a business person, and an inspiration for others in his community.
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Business for Social Responsibility
"The era of declaratory CSR is over, it is time to act."
John Ruggie, UN Special Representative for Business and Human Rights
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) recently had their 7th Annual Summit.
This gathering draws leading thinkers and corporate leaders together to share and discuss the state of social responsibility and the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in how they impact people and the planet in the way that they do business.
The key themes of the day were well summarized by Dr. Matthew Kiernan, Founder Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, to be:
- There is more to life than a P&L statement
- Through good examples we have seen what leadership can accomplish in this area
- The power of authentic CSR as a recruitment, motivation and retention tool
- The great need for partnership across silos within organizations and across industry players
- The importance of "systems thinking" in considering our business decisions.
There was clear genuine consensus around these themes. The individuals who attended are devoting energy in pursuing positive social outcomes that align with their corporate objectives and values. It truly was a pleasure to be in the company of not only people who are leading thinkers, but are also doers.
One additional theme present was the increasing need for businesses to economically justify their efforts on CSR initiatives. We know we are in a difficult economic time and so it is critical to cost justify initiatives that don't directly contribute to the bottom line. We are trying to stretch every dollar for maximum impact.
This is the area of most interest to us at ZOË Alliance and in fact the challenge we have set for ourselves. We believe that it is possible to launch CSR initiatives that are market facing, profitable, enhance market share, and have true and lasting social impact.
The way in which to accomplish this task can be derived from two thoughts out of the day.
The first was the theme of "systems thinking". Each decision has a ripple effect, and there is opportunity created by linking our supply chain decisions in small and large ways throughout the business to CSR outcomes. In the course of every day business, our companies collectively still spend a lot of money, and by connecting some of that market activity to villages around the world, we could make a very significant dent in global poverty.
The second is best demonstrated by the comment quoted at the beginning of this article made by John Ruggie. We certainly have the knowledge, the technology, the budgets, and the manpower all within our grasp to address the social and environmental challenges of our day. As Mr. Ruggie so aptly put it, it is time to act.
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News - Charitable Donations Coming Soon
We are pleased to announce that very soon, those who wish to get more involved with the villages we are working in partnership with, will be able to make a tax receipted charitable donation.
Donations can be directed towards accelerating the progress of the building of medical clinics, schools, or providing needed educational materials and equipment.
Look for the online donation link on the Join the Alliance page of our website in the coming months!
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News - Corporate Social Responsibility
We are pleased to announce that many companies and individuals are redefining giving this year. Clients this season span several sectors including national telecommunications, financial services, energy, not for profit, health & fitness, real estate, and others are taking an exciting step this year in stretching the impact of their holiday giving.
They believe that the best contribution they can make to the global community is to conduct their business in a responsible way and their choice to partner with ZOË Alliance Inc. in their giving this season ensures that even their client appreciation budget enhances a supply chain that is ethical and is empowering people.
(click to enlarge photo)
This year jobs in Haiti and India will be sustained through their decision to source their client gifts from our rural village producer partners. On behalf of our friends and partners in the villages, we'd like to thank them for their leadership in this area!
In addition to the jobs sustained their support will enable donations toward building a medical clinic in India, and a vocational training center in Haiti.
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Product Spotlight - Global Gift Basket
A fun and unique idea for executive gift baskets, the Global Gift Basket will be a welcomed surprise and provide lasting meaning. Telling the story of hope of villages around the world each basket contains a Nambikai Throw, Ti Ta To 10 (Dix) Haitian Décor Grade hand carved game set, and the hand stitched Cambiar Portfolio.
Limited quantities are available this year, contact us to arrange for your order to be shipped directly to your client this holiday season.
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Events
The holiday season is upon us and ZOË Alliance is excited to be participating in a great shopping event at the Seasons Christmas Show. The show is at the International Center from November 20 - 22nd. Drop by Booth 641, we'd love to see you there.
Show Hours:
Friday, November 20, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 21, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, November 22, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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Take the ZOË Challenge
Spread the Word - Empower People for Life
The ZOË Challenge is our chance to make a huge difference with small decisions.
Here is the challenge - go to the challenge page on our website and:
- Commit to buying a fair trade product this year (from any reputable vendor)
- Ask 3 friends to do the same
That's it! If we all did this, our collective purchases would funnel millions of dollars into the creation of jobs with dignity in developing nations.
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About ZOË Alliance
ZOË Alliance Inc. is a social enterprise that harnesses what we spend to help developing nations break the cycle of poverty.
ZOË Alliance helps people and companies transform impoverished villages with their regular purchases. We stretch each dollar spent on a personal or corporate gift three ways: to purchase a gift that tells the story of hope; to create jobs with dignity in villages; and to donate funds toward a school or village project.
We also help companies link their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to the bottom line by making it easy to source high quality, profitable products from producer groups in villages around the globe
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Contact Us
ZOE Alliance Inc
15-75 Bayly Street West
Suite 279
Ajax, ON Canada
L1S 7K7
Tel: (647) 477-4377
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