|
Corporate Social Responsibility
News
9.11.2008 - 10:00am ET
|
CSR News from:
|
|
|
News Categories: |
| | |
U.S. Chamber Offers Tips for Business Assistance After Hurricanes
(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 11,2008 - In preparation for Hurricane Ike's
imminent U.S. landfall, and the looming possibility of other severe
tropical storms, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership
Center has released recommendations for corporations wanting to assist
with relief and recovery activities.
"Unfortunately, this has been a very busy year for natural disasters, and
it looks like we're not done yet," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen
Jordan. "We've created a few simple recommendations to assist business
owners as they think through how they want to respond to these
disasters."
The recommendations are: - Think about your role in four parts: (1)
immediate and short-term relief, (2) long-term community recovery, (3) the
best use of your company's competencies in response to the disaster, and
(4) the unique characteristics of the disaster in question. Disasters have
multiple impacts, so plan your response accordingly.
- Strengthen your company's business continuity plan. Remember, if your
own disaster plan is not adequate and your employees cannot return to
work, your business will suffer and you will not be able to assist others.
- Don't be hasty. Because the immediate chaos after disasters tends to
generate missing information, misinformation, rumors and confusion, avoid
quick decisions and seek out credible information from reliable
sources.
- Stay out of harm's way. Check information from the Department of
Homeland Security, FEMA and your state and local authorities and follow
their rules, recommendations and guidelines for a safe response.
- Work before the disaster to develop agreements with credible partners
such as the American Red Cross or members of the National Voluntary
Organizations Active in Disasters to make philanthropic contributions,.
- Match your offers to local needs. If you are interested in
contributing products and services, resources such as the Aidmatrix
Network (www.aidmatrix.org) will help identify
local needs. If considering a commodity donation, calculate the cost
implications of transport, maintenance and training. A cash donation may
be more efficient.
- Stay informed. Check BCLC's website for the latest disaster
information and information resources. Join BCLC's coordination conference
calls for general assessments, and for specific questions about donations
or recovery best practices, call BCLC's Help Desk
(1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP).
"Companies that think through how they can
contribute to relief efforts before a crisis hits are the companies that
often have the best positive impact when people are in need. Our goal is
not just to save lives and communities and businesses in the short-term,
but to make them more resilient for the long-term," Jordan concluded.
BCLC is a 501(c)3 affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and manages the U.S. Chamber's Disaster Assistance and Recovery program
and serves as a resource and voice for businesses and their social and
philanthropic interests. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business
federation representing more than 3 million business and organizations of
every size, sector, and region. The National Disaster Help Desk for
Business is made possible by the Office Depot Foundation.
|
|
