2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Workshops

The 2021 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning offered a virtual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Track for companies interested in community engagement, employee volunteerism, and other ways to improve social well-being. The CSR Track took place Monday, February 8, 2021 from 8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

 8:45-10:00 a.m. Welcome remarks from Volunteer Tennessee followed by 

SESSION 1: How to Effectively Engage Your Company (and Employees) in CSR Efforts

Beth Bazar - Community Relations Program Manager, Buckman International

Beverly Perkins - Corporate Social Responsibility Supervisor, Memphis Light, Gas and Water

Chelsea Peterson - Director of Client and Community Relations, PNC Tennessee

In this session, CSR professionals will share trends and tips that make for an effective and quantifiable CSR Program. CSR initiatives like volunteer and giving programs also have the strong potential to increase employee  satisfaction if well-executed. Panelists  will also focus on ideas, tools, and best practices for improving employee engagement.

10:15-11:15 a.m.-SESSION 2: The Why of DEI Work in Organizations and Best Practices for Building an Impactful Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Initiative

Candace Warner, Ph.D.  - Founder/Lead Consultant for people3, Inc.; Professor of Sociology at Columbia State Community College

Dr. Candace Warner, CEO of people3, Inc. and Professor of Sociology at Columbia State, will present best practices on organizational inclusion strategies and the WHY of DEI work—why diverse teams provide a value add for organizations and strategies for building impactful DEI programs.

11:20-11:45 a.m.-Networking Session

11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.-Break

12:15-1:15 p.m.-SESSION 3: CSR During and After COVID-19

Velvet Graham - Senior Director, Events, Community Relations and Culture & Inclusion, Terminix

Chelsea C. Johnson - Director, Community Relations & Foundations, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Kim Sasser Hayden - Senior Manager, External Affairs, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.

This session will focus on how COVID has impacted CSR efforts and what companies are doing in response.  The session will also highlight remote and virtual volunteer ideas for employees and ideas to support nonprofits.

1:30-2:30 p.m.-SESSION 4: Nonprofit and Business Partnership Discussions

Maria Down - Specialist, Cause Marketing and Social Responsibility, Discovery Inc

Alyson Gallaher - Executive Director, Volunteer East Tennessee

Melissa McWilliams - Development Director, Fannie Battle Day Home for Children

Anneliese Barron - Philanthropy Consultant, Barron & Co 

For nonprofits and businesses engaging in discussions considering or continuing partnerships, this session will look at what questions and topics should be part of the conversation. CSR and Nonprofit panelists will speak on how to be successful in finding partners, how to address issues, marketing and development considerations and what helps companies and nonprofits make partnership decisions.

This session is open to all conference attendees, providing an opportunity for both business and nonprofit attendees to come together and learn about this topic.

Corporate Track Attendees are also welcome to join the following Conference networking session:

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Networking Session & Closing Remarks

Join this networking session with conference attendees for an opportunity to
break out and rotate into smaller groups to engage and connect with fellow
conference attendees.