Upcoming Events

Be sure you don’t miss any of our upcoming events!

Sport, Sustainability and Community Engagement: A Focus on the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games

Building a CSR Strategy without the Corporate “Baggage”

Pam AM TorontoSport has a magical ability to unite millions of people across different economic, social, geographic and political lines. You can likely think of several great sporting moments that you will never forget. With those memories in mind, one begins to appreciate the enormous responsibility for the organizers of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. They have an opportunity to do something special that will impact entire communities for generations to come. We want to know how they’re doing it.

On April 1st TSSS will host a panel of experts including Ann Duffy who was the Corporate Sustainability Officer to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and who continues to provide CSR guidance to the IOC and FIFA. Our panel will explore the power of sport to reach people and communities like nothing else can. Topics to be discussed include: Community Engagement, Sustainable Purchasing, Importance of a Clear Vision, Diversity and Inclusion, Branding and Leaving a Legacy.

[NOTE: Recent conversations have shed light on the “baggage” challenges that companies face when they try to insert a CSR Strategy into a pre-existing culture. 

The upcoming event offers the perfect chance to delve into this challenge and discuss the freedom and benefits that come with a sporting event like the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games where much of that baggage doesn’t exist – a clear vision can be established right from the beginning.  This article explores some of the “baggage” ideas further.  Building your CSR Strategy without the baggage – what would you do differently?]

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Ask yourself:

Has your company ever tried to positively impact a community or group of communities as part of its sustainability strategy? Have you ever tried to implement a sustainable purchasing plan? Has your company ever stumbled as it explores its purpose in a changing economic and business environment?  If you answered YES to any to these questions then this event is for you.

ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH THE PANELISTS VIA OUR LIVESTREAM AND TWITTERCHAT (#tssschat)
REGISTER FOR LIVESTREAM BELOW

Distinguished Guests:

Ann Duffy

Naki Osutei

Zenia Wadhwani

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ann Duffy, Principal, The Ann Duffy Group Inc., CSR Officer at Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, Consultant to IOC and FIFA
  • Naki Osutei, Director, Public Affairs and Social Legacy for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para Pan Am Games.
  • Zenia Wadhwani, Director, Community Outreach for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Para Pan Am Games.


Some of the topics that we will explore include:

  • How a clear vision creates a safe place for thinking BIG
  • How to implement a sustainable purchasing strategy for an event of this size
  • What top level approach was used to maximize community benefits AND how is it being implemented?
  • What can corporations learn from this approach to community engagement?
  • What strategies are being used to ensure that the games will leave a positive legacy of sustainable excellence?
  • How diversity and inclusion are being supported in all decision making


Where and When:

Loyalty OneDATE: Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 (registration closes March 27th)
TIME: 4:30-7:30 PM (snacks & networking from 6:45-7:30 PM)
LOCATION: Loyalty One, 438 University Ave., 12th Floor, Toronto (use elevators on the left in the lobby)
TWITTERCHAT: #tssschat from 5:15 – 6:00 PM EST
LIVESTREAM available: Register for password

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Bay/Wall Street and Sustainability: Does your CSR Report Resonate with Investors?

BREAKING NEWS: Sustainable Business Practices Dramatically Boost Stock Valuations

Did you read this title and think, “it’s about time?”  Unfortunately, the title is more future prediction than current fact. Bay/Wall Street often fails to appreciate the proven bottom line benefits of sustainable business practices.  But on February 5th TSSS is excited to launch its 2015 season with a distinguished panel of experts that will discuss how corporations can have their sustainable development (SD) work more accurately reflected in their stock valuation.

Ask yourself:

Does your company’s CSR Report resonate with the investment community? Does it tell analysts and money managers the information that they need to know? Is the information actionable for immediate investment decisions? At the end of the day, are your sustainability efforts reflected in your company’s stock price?  If the answer is NO and the capital markets are not rewarding your sustainability efforts then this event is for you.

ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH THE PANELISTS VIA OUR LIVESTREAM AND TWITTERCHAT #tssschat
REGISTER FOR LIVESTREAM BELOW

Distinguished Guests:

Ian McPherson

Ian McPherson

Martin-Grosskopf1

Martin Grosskopf

Julie Desjardins

Julie Desjardins

 

 

 

 

 

Moderator: Dr. Blair Feltmate, Associate Professor and Director of Sustainability Practice, University of Waterloo

Loyalty OneDATE: Thursday, February 5, 2015 (registration closes February 3rd)
TIME: 4:30-7:30 EST (snacks & networking from 6:45-7:30)
LOCATION: Loyalty One, 438 University Ave., 12th Floor, Toronto (use elevators on the left in the lobby)
TWITTERCHAT: #tssschat from 5:15 – 6:00 PM EST
LIVESTREAM available: Register for password

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Rethinking Prosperity: Government and Business Coming Together

Chrystia Freeland, Author, Thought Leader & Canadian MP

Chrystia Freeland, Canadian MP

DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT THIS EVENT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE ON NOV. 12th – IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN 2015.

The economic system that we have relied on to create prosperity in the past century is beginning to fail us. We are seeing clear signs that our current economic ideology is not guiding us to sustainable prosperity. In fact, the existing system is actively contributing to an unstable climate, resource scarcity, biodiversity loss and a widening gap between the ultra-rich and everyone else.

New panelists include Dr. Blair Feltmate, University of Waterloo, and Doug Miller, CEO of GlobeScan

So we’re asking the tough question: How can we achieve prosperity AND protect our planet?

Who needs to lead the way? Are the answers to be found in corporate business strategies or in government regulation? Or both? Or neither? Is our cultural narrative of what it means to be successful sending us in the wrong direction?

How can business, government and citizens alike work together to change course towards a better future, one that is both prosperous and sustainable? AND, what approaches need to be adopted immediately to ensure that we move QUICKLY in that direction?

TWEET ME: Tweet: Join me at “Rethinking Prosperity Panel” w/ Government/Business/Academia #TSSS on Nov 12 http://ctt.ec/Fy449+ #CSR @cafreeland @globescan

On November 12th TSSS is excited to present a distinguished Panel of Experts from Government, Business and Academia to discuss how business and government can come together not only to better define prosperity but also to develop a plan for how to make it happen.


DATE: Wednesday, November 12, 2014
(registration closes November 10th)
TIME: 4:30-7:30 EST (snacks & networking from 6:45-7:30)
NEW LOCATION: University of Toronto, Banting Institute, 100 College St., Rm 131
TWITTERCHAT: #tssschat from 5:15 – 6:00 PM EST

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During the event we will explore issues related to achieving SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY:

  • How do we reach those who believe that a successful economy and a protected environment are mutually exclusive?
  • Could government involvement act as a boon for business rather than an impediment to progress?
  • Why are governments in a debt crisis while many large corporations seem to be growing more profitable every day?
  • Why does government seem to have the needed funds to deal with a banking crisis but not a climate crisis?
  • Is the shrinking middle class really an issue or is it just part of our economic evolution?

And we will explore how we might go about creating A NEW WAY FORWARD:

  • How do we change the conversation about what Canadian prosperity looks like?
  • What is the role of the Corporate Sustainability movement in solving these problems?
  • How can companies become more impactful through their government relations channels?
  • How can individuals (e.g. students, activists, business leaders, consumers) more effectively bring their ideas forward?

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What is a “Sustainability Narrative” and Why is it Important to Your Company?

Sharing your corporate message in the sustainability era is tricky business. Experts agree that sustainability doesn’t mean anything real to consumers. Too often, it brings to mind technical issues or overwhelming environmental challenges. More than ever consumers want to live meaningful lives and engage with brands that are driven by purpose. They want to trust that a brand is making good choices for them.

[Please have a look at the recent report by BBMG which takes a closer look at this evolving challenge for companies.  “The New Sustainability Narrative: Tapping into Meaning and Purpose.”]

Join us on September 30th as our expert panel explores the challenges and opportunities of building a sustainability narrative that connects more deeply with your audience.

Our Distinguished Guests:

- Steven Sage, VP Sustainability & Innovation, Kruger Products L.P.
- Eric Whan, Director, GlobeScan
- Phillip Haid, CEO, Public INC
- Claudio Gemmiti, Senior VP, Innovation and Strategic Growth, Club Coffee

Discussion Facilitator: Brad Zarnett, Executive Director, TSSS

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Ryerson logoDATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2014
TIME: 4:30-7:30 EST (snacks & networking from 6:45-7:30)
LOCATION: Ryerson University, Podium Building, 380 Victoria Street, The Commons Room 250 (map)
FREE LIVE WEBCAST & twitterchat #tssschat from 5:15 – 6:15 PM EST
(Tickets for both the live event and the webcast must be purchased in advance)

During the event we will explore some of the following:

- Why do traditional marketing strategies seem to be missing the mark today?
- What do consumers and stakeholders want from companies today?
- What companies are having success building an authentic connection with consumers?
   * What are they doing different?
   * Why are they successful?
- What are some of the themes that seem to be resonating most with consumers today?

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Increased Revenue through Community Engagement: The “Shared Value” Advantage

The Business Opportunities From Solving Social Problems

shared value initiative

At this TSSS event you will learn how you can leverage Shared Value right along your value chain while simultaneously making your company more profitable.  You will discover how you can achieve a competitive advantage while experiencing the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping to solve a social problem. This is the promise of Shared Value and this TSSS event will give you the tools and insight you need to bring it to your company.

Tim Hortons

It might sound too good to be true but this concept has been proven repeatedly in the three years since Michael Porter coined the phrase “Shared Value” in the Harvard Business Review. So how do you ensure that your company is ready to engage in this conversation and seize this opportunity? When and how will the benefits materialize? How do you quantify the ROI? Where do you look for partners? How do you get started?  These are the questions that will be answered through specific case studies and explanations of proven business strategies at our TSSS event on May 28th.

DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 (registration closes May 23rd)
TIME: 4:30-7:30 EST (snacks & networking from 6:35-7:30)
NEW LOCATION: Ryerson University, Podium Building, 380 Victoria Street, The Commons Room 250 (map)
FREE LIVE WEBCAST & twitterchat #tssschat from 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST
(Tickets for both the live event and the webcast must be purchased in advance)

Register Now

Distinguished Guests:

Tim Faveri

Tim Faveri

Justin Bakule

Justin Bakule

Justin Bakule
Executive Director
Shared Value Initiative


Tim Faveri

Dir., Sustainability & Responsibility
Tim Hortons

Join us on May 28th as two sustainability champions, Justin Bakule and Tim Faveri, clearly show how exploring “Shared Value” can unlock new revenue streams for your company.

air-miles-social-change[JUST ANNOUNCED – Angela Simo Brown, Co-Founder and GM of the Air Miles for Social Change Program at Loyalty One will be joining our Panel.]

Tim will discuss the exciting work that has taken place at Tim Hortons through its Coffee Partnership Program. Justin will share stories from Mars Inc. (improving cocoa production in West Africa), Arauco (leading Chilean forestry company), Novartis (working in rural India), Nestle, Ben and Jerry’s, Kirin (Japanese beverage company near Fukushima where the Tsunami caused devastation) and Mercy Corps (international NGO). And now Angela will discuss the wild success of the Air Miles program and its ability to get people physically active.

During the event we will explore some of the following:

  • How you can use social issues as a strategic lens to address business opportunities
  • How to use your corporate culture to find “shared value” opportunities
  • Why the values of your senior leaders are essential to your success
  • How Tim Hortons has delivered social benefits to its coffee suppliers in Central and South America
  • How Mars Inc. has driven positive change within its cocoa supply chain
  • How Novartis has found new revenue streams by bringing improved health to rural Indian communities
  • How to measure your Shared Value Initiative ROI

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  • TSSS EVENT: Sport and Sustainability: A Focus on the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games (FREE Livestream)

    Pam AM TorontoJoin TSSS on April 1st as our panel explores the power of sport to reach people and communities like nothing else can. Topics to be discussed include: Community Engagement, Sustainable Purchasing, Importance of a Clear Vision, Diversity and Inclusion, Branding and Leaving a Legacy. Learn more
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