A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff ... - library.bsl.org.au
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I :i rim— ■ Financial performance Other groups involved in the GRI included the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Greenpeace, Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad, World Vision and Amnesty International. All research groups provided results for their category to Reputation Measurement, an independent consulting company who facilitate the GRI. These results were collated and the top 100 companies were given an For Zahre and Asma (pictured above) the chances are good. With the help of the Ecumenical Migration Centre’s innovative mentoring project, Given the Chance, they are learning new community skills and increasing their employment opportunities. Read more about it on Page 3. “1am returning this “After one look at this “States are not moral “It's hard to be In this issue: otherwise good typing planet, any visitor agents, people are, humble, when -The business of being paper to you because from outer space and can impose you're as great ethical someone has printed would say ‘1want to moral standards as 1am.” -What are the chances? gibberish all over it and see the manager’.” on powerful -Superannuation put your name at the top.” institutions.” -Readings for HIPPYs -Professor, Ohio University -William S.Burroughs -Noam Chomsky -Muhammad Ali -Postcard from the edge -Application against Ageism What are the chances? A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff Newsletter, March 2003 Issue 8 Brotherhood of St Laurence The GRI is a project that takes places once a year, and involves community, environment and research groups in evaluating the ability of the top 100 companies to manage activities that contribute to their corporate reputation. Last year 22 groups measured corporate performance in the following categories: ■ Ethics and corporate governance • Environmental performance ■ Employee management ■ Social impact ■ Management and market focus In 2002, the Ethical Business staff of the BSL were involved in researching the top 100 companies (those listed by the Business Review Weekly based on financial performance) in the area of ethics and corporate governance for the Good Reputation Index (GRI). "It was very exciting to be asked to be part of such a high profile project, and to be involved with the biggest companies in Australasia,” said Sonya Holm, member of the Ethical Business staff. overall ranking. They were also ranked for each category. The results were published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in October 2002. The BSL also produced a report called Doing Business Responsibly, that presented findings and highlighted good practice and practical initiatives. This report was sent out to all of the top 100 companies. We have received very positive feedback from companies involved and have had further contact with some of these companies including: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), BP, BHP Billiton, Alcoa and Energex. The business of being ethical
Transcript of A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff ... - library.bsl.org.au
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■ Financial performanceOther groups involved in the GRI included the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Greenpeace, Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad, World Vision and Amnesty International.All research groups provided results for their category to Reputation Measurement, an independent consulting company who facilitate the GRI. These results were collated and the top 1 00 companies were given an
For Zahre and Asma (pictured above) the chances are good. With the help of the Ecumenical Migration Centre’s innovative mentoring project, Given the Chance, they are learning new community skills and increasing their employment opportunities. Read more about it on Page 3.
“1 am returning this “After one look at this “States are not moral “It's hard to be I n t h i s i s s u e :
otherwise good typing planet, any visitor agents, people are, humble, when -The business of beingpaper to you because from outer space and can impose you're as great ethicalsomeone has printed would say ‘1 want to moral standards as 1 am.” -What are the chances?gibberish all over it and see the manager’.” on powerful -Superannuationput your name at the top.” institutions.” -Readings for HIPPYs
-Professor, Ohio University -William S.Burroughs -Noam Chomsky -Muhammad Ali -Postcard from the edge -Application against Ageism
What are the chances?
A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff Newsletter, March 2003 Issue 8
Brotherhood of St Laurence
The GRI is a project that takes places once a year, and involves community, environment and research groups in evaluating the ability of the top 100 companies to manage activities that contribute to their corporate reputation. Last year 22 groups measured corporate performance in the following categories:■ Ethics and corporate governance• Environmental performance■ Employee management■ Social impact■ Management and market focus
In 2002, the Ethical Business staff of the BSL were involved in researching the top 100 companies (those listed by the Business Review Weekly based on financial performance) in the area of ethics and corporate governance for the Good Reputation Index (GRI)."It was very exciting to be asked to be part of such a high profile project, and to be involved with the biggest companies in Australasia,” said Sonya Holm, member of the Ethical Business staff.
overall ranking. They were also ranked for each category. The results were published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in October 2002.The BSL also produced a report called Doing Business Responsibly, that presented findings and highlighted good practice and practical initiatives.
This report was sent out to all of the top 100 companies.We have received very positive feedback from companies involved and have had further contact with some of these companies including: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), BP, BHP Billiton, Alcoa and Energex.
The business of being ethical
email: [email protected] March 2003
W hat’s the dea l?
Readings for HIPPYs
A new partnership-between |f». Reading^ Books a&c) Music and the Brotherhood of St Laurence
|has already seen more tharv^QO books, games and S i000 in cash donated to the Brotherhood's early childhood reading program, HIPPY,
HIPPY (Home Instruction for Paferits of PreschqofYbungsters) helps parents of preschool children introduce learning into the home environment, creating a fun and interesting focus on education.
Superannuation - the lo st b illio n s and your hidden fortuneWhat are the ‘lost billions’?Did you know that at the end of last financial year there was $6.4
billion in ‘unclaimed’ super funds in Australia?Since the introduction of the Superannuation Guarantee Act in 1992, employers have been required to pay superannuation for all employees.One unexpected side effect of increasing concern to both the Federal Government and super funds over the intervening decade, is the ever increasing amount o f ‘unclaimed’ superannuation - literally billions of dollars - that are waiting to be claimed.These ‘lost billions’ are generally benefits (paid by employers) for employees who have either moved to another job or changed address and not notified their super fund.Often, people employed casually or for short periods, have not been aware their employer was paying super for them.Could this have happened to you?
My story
Being the efficient and financially savvy chap that I am, I didn’t think I would have left buckets of money lying around. But on the off chance that I had a few bucks stashed away in an institutional mattress I wasn’t aware of, I called the special number set up by the Tax Department to help people find their lost fortunes.
I called the special number being promoted by the Unclaimed Super Recovery Campaign and waddya know - I had $470 sitting there I didn’t know about.
Okay, I admit it’s not enough to trigger dreams of early retirement but you have to admit that it’s better than a slap in the face with an old wet fish!
How do you recover your hidden fortune?
Get in touch with the Unclaimed Super Recovery branch of the ATO- 1300 737 736
They can tell you whether there are any undiscovered nest eggs with your name on them, where they are, and just how to get them all rolled into your current fund.
The partnership between the Brotherhood of St. Laurence andReadings began in October last ear \ ci made an
offer to support the HIPPY program with an initial donation of 5300 worth of books.
This soon expanded to include promotion of the HIPPY program in all Readings stores, on theirweb site and In the monthly Readings newsletter.
In their November newsletter. Readings asked its customers to donate books for HIPPY familiesfor Christmas. Their slogan was '100 books for Christmas’.
The results have exceeded all expectations," says HIPPY coordinator, Jo Crima.
"The compassion and generosity of Readings and its customers helps better equip an important program to deliver good quality educational books and games to families who might not otherwise be able to afford them."
A well-equipped library of books and games is an essential resource for families and tutors participating in this program, so this partnership creates opportunities for children in disadvantaged families to develop their learning skills in a comfortable environment.
Many new projects are planned this year
And if I don’t?
They’ll pretty quickly disappear all together in ‘admin fees’ before it turns out to be a fat nothing!
so get onto it
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What are the chances, from page 1.
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence program, Given The Chance, run by the Ecumenical Migration Centre (EMC), is creating chances for new refugees to be more involved in Australian society by teaching work skills and discussing cultural issues.
The key desired outcome for participants is to gain confidence, make realistic decisions about work paths and act on these.
There are currently 17 refugees participating in this pilot education, employment and community skills project. Three mornings a week the participants go to the EMC to learn skills like writing a resume, seeking work and networking.
The program is funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Women's Trust and the Invergowerie Foundation and includes refugees from eight countries - Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Eritrea, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Yugoslavia.
Using the Brotherhood’s wide network of corporate, community and government contacts, the EMC have been able to draw on the goodwill toward and concern for refugees that exists despite Federal Government policies. Each participant has a mentor committed to assist them until the end of 2003. The mentors are trained and supported with regular meetings and information.
“The mentors are the crucial element in this program," says Jill Carr, project coordinator. “They help the refugees to make the most of the opportunities in the work placements, and also link them to the general community.
Participants are also required to complete two days a week
work experience, often in several different workplaces.Most of these positions are paid. For some of the women, this is the first money they have ever earned. This work experience benefits the employer as much as the employee.
“This is a fabulous program, ” said Daniel Donahao, DHS supervisor. “To sit around the lunch table and hear Fadumo and Zahre (participants in the program) explain Ramadan and their refugee experience to a group of middle class anglo Australians who get their information from five minute grabs on TV highlighted to me the power of what the Brotherhood is actually achieving through this program."
One participant already has an ongoing professional position with a small IT company in Fitzroy.
“I am so happy," said Zahre. “I made many job applications, but heard nothing. I succeeded in the interview for this job because of the work experience and my mentor, Bernie (from Oracle) who helped me prepare."
Another desired outcome is to demonstrate to government the effectiveness of a labour market program specific to refugees. Accreditation will be sought for the program and it is hoped, other providers will eventually offer it.
The project is being documented by a photographer, Liz Cilliam, to make a touring display to help challenge myths about refugees. This display is scheduled to appear in the Zetta Florence showroom, 187 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, March 2003.
A ny queries about Given The Chance project, please contact coordinator Jill Carr, Ph: 94 16 0044, Mobile: 0419 314 792.
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Refugee postcard
Last year the Ecumenical Migration Centre, together with the Promotion and Communication Unit, developed a World Refugee Card to increase peoples awareness of poverty issues in Australia. The artwork for the card, the image of Christ with the word refugee, created controversy from its conception. After much deliberation the card was printed. It was an instant success.
40.000 cards were produced and distributed throughout Australia and placed in Avant post card stands. All40.000 were picked up within 14 days. A reprint of another 12,000 followed.Article continued page 4
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Issue 8 email: [email protected]
From page 3
“One man I know from Bethlehem has had two brothers killed. He hasn’t seen his mother for seven years. ...Recently he tried to harm himself," said Vivi Martin, visitor to Villawood Detention Centre. “I sent him a card. ...He said he put it on his door and smiled knowing Jesus and he were from the same town.”
“The postcard is a courageous venture because it demystifies the sentimentality of traditional religious images and hits
the message home purely because ofthe truth it embodies,” said Joanne Hall,BSL Chaplain.
Other responses to the card included:
« Requests for cards from the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to use in developing an issue module about asylum seekers.
■ Editor of Australian Catholics wanting to use image as graphic for statement by Bishops on the refugee issues.
■ Students from University of New England in NSW grabbing copies of the card and burning them.
■ The card seen on the wall behind Meredith Burgmann, NSW upper House MP when interviewed on Channel 10 in June, 2002.
■ Image of the card appearing in the Melbourne Anglican in July announcing the BSL national post card campaign.
« Letter from radio and television presenter Julie McCrossin thanking us on our initiative in producing the card.
March 2003
Ageism“Ism's in my opinion aren’t good. A
person shouldn’t believe in an ism.He should believe in himself. ” - Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller’s day off.
The Coolibah Centre has recently submitted an application to the State Government for a S5000 grant to fund a program designed to help break down the stereotypes of ageing.
The program will integrate clients from the Coolibah Centre with disadvantaged youth from Job Placement Employment and Training (JPET) in such activities as go-karting and fishing to improve intergenerational relations and understanding.
If the submission is successful, it is hoped this program will break down the barriers of ageism and dispel some of the misconceptions about ageing and youth.
Using the new SSL logoThe BSL has updated its corporate logo. It now includes the tagline ‘Working for an Australia free of poverty’ and is no longer in full caps. Everything that carries the BSL logo must be updated. Please use up materials carrying the old logo first. When it comes time to order more stock, the Promotion and Communication department can liaise with you to supply the updated logo and artwork to your printer.
For use in MS Word or Excel documents, simply download a copy of the new logo from the Promotion and Communication section of e-flash, copy and paste it into your document. Two versions of the new logo are currently supplied - a colour version and a black and white version. Both are .bmps (which means they are friendly for MS Word).
If you have further queries or would like a version of the logo supplied to an external printer, please contact Andrew Yule on 9483 1168 or ext. 168.
Brotherhood Brotherhoodof St Laurence of St Laurence
Working for an Australia free of poverty Working for an Australia free of poverty
Hey you!Although this is not something Promotion and Communication would normally admit, we don’t know everything. That’s why we want you to tell us about stuff. Preferably in writing. You don’t have to be the greatest writers in the world (we don’t want you to show us up, after all) - we are happy to edit. Send in what's been happening at your workplace! We really, really want to know! Email [email protected] or call us on (03) 9483 1 168
M in the hood is produced by the Promotion and Communication Department. Email: [email protected] Edited by Helen Westerman and Andrew Yule, design by Len Taylor. Special thanks to all our contributors.
