CBSR Strategic Renewal Update 2012

April 25, 2012

In November 2011, the CBSR Board of Directors embarked on a strategic review process to ensure CBSR’s relevance and leadership in a rapidly evolving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) marketplace.

The review is now complete and it revealed that the CSR marketplace has evolved significantly and many companies have made major strides in their CSR journey and also possess in-house CSR knowledge. It was also clear from the review that a renewed and relevant CBSR needs to focus more on the networking and convening of the progressive business community in Canada.

As a result, CBSR will begin restructuring immediately, transitioning out of providing advisory services to members, to create a much smaller organization with a narrowed focus on leadership in the business and corporate sustainability community and convening via activities such as the CBSR Annual Summit and other networking events. 

CBSR will ensure that all commitments to existing CBSR members and advisory services engagements will be honoured through to the end of 2012.

As we go through this transition, we are pleased to announce that as of May 2012 CBSR members will also become members of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), with access to certain member and advisory services through the end of the year, with the option to join BSR independent of their prior membership in CBSR as of January 1, 2013.  More specific details about the benefits that BSR will provide CBSR members in 2012, are included on the CBSR website (www.cbsr.ca).

BSR (www.bsr.org) has 20 years of leadership in sustainability.  Today, BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. BSR is pleased to welcome CBSR member companies, and looks forward to providing them with global information and perspective on sustainability, as well as access to BSR’s experts on tailored consulting projects.

The transition of CBSR, out of the current mandate of delivering advisory services, will be led by Steven Fish.  The smaller CBSR operations, that are expected to continue into 2013, will be run by Myrna Khan.  Myrna has been with CBSR for 10 years and has been vital to the growth of CBSR over that period. 

The Board of CBSR is committed to support Steven and Myrna over the coming months as they ensure the delivery on all 2012 CBSR membership commitments and focus on CBSR emerging from this restructuring - a smaller and more focused organization, with a renewed business model for 2013 and beyond.

It is expected that details on the renewed more focused CBSR will be unveiled at the 10th Annual CBSR Summit scheduled to take place in Toronto this fall.

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