Please note that nominations close 30 September 2010.

This award to be presented on an annual basis to a Gold Coast business that demonstrates corporate social responsibility in its day to day operations.

We will be looking at the every day practices of businesses in assisting not-for-profit local community organisations, particularly their mentoring assistance and provision of staff time.

The winning business will receive $5000 to be passed on to their community partner.

While businesses will be able to nominate themselves, community groups are also encouraged to nominate a local business.

What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

Corporate social responsibility, as defined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is the continuing commitment by entities to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as the local community and society at large.

Corporate social responsibility involves a commitment to enable mutually beneficial collaboration between business and community. In addition, it can implement effective and long term solutions to community issues and build greater social cohesion. This is often termed as the community business partnership.

Alternatively, it involves a commitment to avoiding harm to the environment and community through the actions of the entity, and a responsibility to repair damage caused, to protect the rights of individuals and to give back to the community.

How to enter the Mayor’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award

An organisation which demonstrates a high standard of commitment in the way they organise and integrate their responsible business practices will receive this award.

In no more than 3 pages, please provide the name of the community business partnership (if it has one) and a brief description of its work and key achievements.

This description should provide the judges with a good overview of the partnership and its work. Submissions should provide evidence of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy that integrates responsible business practice into mainstream operations resulting in positive impact in the workplace, the marketplace and/or the community.

A. Background information

1. What type of partnership arrangement is yours?

-          Does the partnership build the capacity of the community organisation, and/or

-          Is the partnership addressing a particular social issue?

2. How long has this partnership been active?

3. Describe the variety of contributions made by each partner: staff involvement, skill sharing, training, mentoring, workplace giving program, staff volunteering, networking, etc.

B. Selection criteria

1. Describe what impacts the partnership has on the community organisation: for example in skill building, network building, fund raising, providing additional staff resources

2. Describe how the partnership benefits the business: staff morale, staff engagement, skill building, improved reputation, networking, new customers or clients