Toronto Round Table Session
December 2, 2011

The following were participants in the session:

Jacqueline Kuehnel, Associate
John Lawrence, Walmart Canada
Bob Mann, Jantzi Sustainalytics
Mimi Morocco, St. Michael’s College
Brendan Seale, The Natural Step
John Smiciklas, RIM

More than one third of CBSR members are Toronto-based companies.  To successfully renew CBSR we must have an offering that delivers value to the corporate community in Toronto. 

Participants in the December 2nd session represented the straight forward nature of that business community and clearly communicated the need for CBSR to have a compelling value proposition and unique role in the CSR space if it is to continue playing a relevant role.

This session had a wide-ranging discussion that covered many topics:

That corporate leaders are moving to understand that the future of CSR is not about meeting expectations, but about having impact and using the size, power and effectiveness of corporations to make positive change beyond the traditional scope of their corporate operations.

The practice of CSR is evolving to the point where accreditation or designation of the professionals that add value in the field, would undoubtedly advance and elevate the impact of CSR in Canada.

The number of reporting and assessment tools that have evolved over the past half decade has been significant.  And although all have merit – the real need and opportunity of the future is again about impact and not compliance. 

Toronto also had similarities to what we heard in other communities across the country. The CSR community in Toronto feels well served by the content and program providers, and appreciate that CBSR has played a vital role in building this capacity.  However, what is missing is the aggregation of the great program work that is going on inside corporations.  CSR is at a critical point and is in need of an entity that can work to demonstrate that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts – helping to scale up CSR to have impact beyond the individual company and transform the way Canada does business.

Rob Moore
 

Interim President and CEO
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility

As part of CBSR’s Strategic Renewal Process, Rob Moore, CBSR’s Interim President & CEO will provide regular updates on the progress of CBSR’s leadership transition and strategic renewal efforts. Click here to learn more about CBSR’s Strategic Renewal Process.