HR Corner Employees unite to give children a chance by Alex Chan Company encourages staff volunteers to participate in social programmes Many large companies willingly give something back to the community and regard it as part of their corporate social responsibility. Some select a charity and give regular financial support, but others, like Chevron Hong Kong Limited which trades under the Caltex brand name, go a step further. In partnership with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, the company has developed "Caltex Project Chance" to give children from low-income families the chance to take part in a wide range of activities which will help their development. The children are aged six to nine, and the project promotes education, social development, cultural exposure, good health and physical well-being. By supporting these young children, the programme improves their academic performance and self-esteem, giving them the tools to achieve more in life. The project offers daily tutorial programmes, social support workshops, parent-child activities, games, and visits to cultural venues. Through these, the children get new learning opportunities and exposure to a much broader range of experiences. A key element is that company employees volunteer to organise events and act as personal mentors to help make one child's life better. "I think this is what makes the project unique," says Xiaofei Peng, chairman of Chevron Companies (Greater China) Limited. "It isn't simply about money, which any corporation can easily donate. It is more difficult to convince employees to contribute their own time." We are always looking for new ways to give back to the community Great opportunity However, besides creating opportunities for the children, this approach also allows staff to do something special, as Kelven Lee, a senior engineer in Hong Kong, can confirm. "I joined the programme because I realised life passes pretty quickly and that I hadn't previously made an effort to give something back to the community," he explains. "Once the company started this project, I felt it was a great opportunity to help in a practical way." Acting as a personal mentor to one boy since February, Mr Lee has already seen a noticeable change in the behaviour of the child. "He has opened up more and his relationship with his family has improved. He is more willing to talk to me about family issues and, in general, just seems happier." Mr Lee enjoys sharing his own experience and knowledge. Besides taking part in organised group activities, the two speak over the phone every week or two and meet regularly at least once a month. Mr Lee explains that the main purpose is to provide the child with an outlet to express thoughts and feelings. "I can help in building new relationships and, since my own child has gone to study in Beijing, I have spare time to participate in this project," he says. Participants recognised Chevron emphasises the voluntary nature of the project, realising that some employees have family and other non-work commitments, which take up much of their free time. However, around 25 per cent of staff are now involved with the project, with a further 20 per cent involved in more than one activity. "That says a lot about our employees because they are using their personal time to give back to the community," says Mr Peng. The company promotes the programme by recognising current volunteers. For example, during the annual dinner, volunteers are presented with a gift. In addition, after every event, they receive a note of thanks from the company, making it clear that their efforts have been noticed. Volunteers are also allowed to attend meetings and training sessions related to the programme during work hours. "I think employees appreciate that the company has given them this opportunity and recognises their efforts," says Mr Peng. More importantly, the volunteers have the sense of accomplishment that comes from changing a child's life for the better. The project will continue to evolve and expand. "We are always looking for new ways to give back to the community, but the key factor is that each project has to fit our culture and the resources, whether money or people, must be used well," Mr Peng adds. Helping hand - Giving back to the community can be much more than a simple financial contribution - Social programmes that involve staff volunteers show greater dedication to the cause - Seeing how their efforts can bring positive change in the community gives volunteers a real sense of accomplishment - Recognising the efforts of volunteers encourages participation by other employees Company Profile Industry: Petroleum products Employees: More than 53,000 worldwide Operations: Approximately 180 countries Headquarters: San Ramon, California Years in operation: 70 years in Hong Kong Taken from Career Times 13 October 2006, p. A18 Your comments are welcome at [email protected]