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.