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Over the years both Cam and I have
contributed our time and resources to several worthy charities. When we talk about Fairness as a team building attribute in our Team Dynamics Workshops, the subject of philanthropy often comes up. Research on why we volunteer our time to charities can be linked to our sense of fairness and desire to balance the scales. Others who are less fortunate, experiencing social injustice or suffering from a disease need our help. We feel better when we show compassion and help others. Matthieu Ricard has been dubbed the happiest man in the world. In his TED Talk Chade-Meng Tan from Google explains that Ricard's happiness was measured with an fMRI and that it was the highest ever recorded. Ricard states that he was meditating on compassion at the time.
Having a CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy in corporations is not a new phenomenon; however, new research is finding that a significant CSR policy can positively influence sales, investment and, most importantly, recruitment. Ann Charles (founder and CEO of BRANDfog) wrote in a September 2010 Fast Company article entitled Philanthropy Is the Gateway to Power, "acting in a socially and environmentally responsible manner is what it takes to gaining top talent. Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they are more likely to work for an organization perceived as ethically and socially responsible. A more recent study opened eyes by revealing that one-third of workers would take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible firm." From a leadership standpoint, we respect our leaders more when they are compassionate and help others.
For whatever reason we help the important thing is that we continue. So with that in mind please allow us to shed some light on the charities we have been supporting here at ASCI.
The Toronto Fringe Festival The Fringe provides creative opportunities for artists and audiences by producing two important festivals - the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Next Stage Theatre Festival - and by running outreach activities that benefit youth, artists and the theatre community at large. The Fringe Festival is July 6 to 17 in Toronto. Randy is the Board President.
The Integra Foundation Integra is an accredited Children's Mental Health Centre located in Toronto, Canada. It is dedicated to helping children and adolescents who experience social, emotional and behavioural problems related to their learning disabilities. Integra delivers services in a manner that strengthens the family, in the belief that the family can be the most valuable resource for children and youth. Cam sits on the board of Directors.
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) Their mission is to find the cure for Crohn's and Colitis. The CCFC is committed, first and foremost, to raising funds for research into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both Cam and Randy sat as board members for many years, Randy as the Board President.
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