Month: August 2023

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Since 2018, The Home Depot Foundation and Home Builders Institute (HBI) have partnered to provide free skilled trades training and certification to separating service members on or near 10 military bases, including Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), through the Path to Pro program. The Foundation recently granted $1.6 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates near those bases to enable Path to Pro students to gain on-the-job training by building Habitat homes alongside Habitat staff, volunteers and future homeowners.

Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity is one of the first affiliates to pilot this program and host HBI students on its build sites. They also hired Path to Pro graduates and more recently joined with The Home Depot Foundation and HBI to construct a home for a local single mother.

This effort is part of a new partnership that brings all three nonprofit organizations together to improve access to affordable housing. It will also provide free skilled trades training to transitioning military members stationed at Fort Cavazos.

“We’re proud to partner with The Home Depot Foundation and Home Builders Institute for a new partnership that brings them together with Habitat for Humanity to improve access to affordable housing in military communities like ours.”

– Kristin Smith, CEO at Fort Hood Area, Habitat for Humanity

The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation are committed to educating more people in the skilled trades and helping them find careers in the home improvement industry through our Path to Pro program. The Foundation has pledged to invest $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program. Learn more at PathtoPro.com.

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At work, no one wants to feel like a cog in a machine. People are more engaged and inspired when they can leverage their unique talents and skills to do their job. Though it’s a different type of work, the same is true for volunteering.

For the people managing corporate volunteer programs, it’s worth remembering that volunteers are more likely to get involved and stay involved if they feel like, as an individual, they bring a distinct value to the work. Many organizations are tapping into this enthusiasm by embracing skills-based volunteering. Skills-based volunteering is a win-win-win—nonprofits get access to specialized skills, employees are more fulfilled, and businesses give their brand a boost.

What is skills-based volunteering?

Skills-based volunteering is an approach to giving back that leverages employees’ job-related expertise in their volunteer work. For example, a graphic designer helps a nonprofit with their annual report or newsletter design.

Pro bono (‘for the public good’) is a type of skills-based volunteering. While most commonly associated with law firms, this descriptor applies to any donation of professional services that an organization would normally charge for. A technology consulting firm’s employees might conduct a cybersecurity audit for a nonprofit, for instance.

Skills-based volunteering can mean a range of commitments, such as:

30 minutes of volunteering to translate a documentA few hours a week over three weeks to develop and implement an SEO strategySeveral hours a week over three months to help implement software, update processes, and conduct training

Some companies use the skills-based approach to build robust volunteering programs with long-term commitments. Jen Carter, global head of technology and volunteering at Google.org, joined us during the Impact Studio conference to discuss the Google.org Fellowship, a program that allows employees to dedicate six months of full-time skills-based volunteering to a nonprofit.

Closing the skills gap for nonprofits

Many nonprofits operate with small staff and limited budgets, which means they don’t always have someone on staff with the specialized or technical skills they need. Talented volunteers can help fill that gap.

Patricia Toothman, social impact manager at Splunk, said Splunk’s volunteer program helps many nonprofits bridge the “data divide” by connecting volunteers with technical skills in areas like cybersecurity and data processing to nonprofits that wouldn’t otherwise have access to these skillsets. Skills-based volunteers bring valuable expertise and perspective to a nonprofit’s mission-critical projects and operations.

When nonprofits work with skills-based volunteers, they don’t have to spend money hiring staff and consultants for projects and one-off tasks—talent they couldn’t otherwise afford.

Skills-based volunteering helps employees grow and develop

Volunteering is a win-win for the employee and the nonprofit. Employees can practice skills and gain experience that opens up new opportunities at work.

While volunteering, employees get the chance to build relationships and expand their network. They can connect with nonprofit staff, other volunteers, and colleagues from other departments who they don’t often get to work with. For example, a co-worker from IT might assess the nonprofit’s technology needs while someone from HR helps the CEO hone their interview skills.

Employees get a sense of purpose from this transformative type of volunteering. They have the satisfaction of producing a clear deliverable, such as a new website, employee handbook, or strategic plan for a good cause. In short, they make a meaningful difference with their skills and knowledge.

The upside of skills-based volunteering for your company 

Skills-based volunteering gives employees a chance to practice both the soft and technical skills that will help them be an effective teammate. Skills-based volunteering gives them the opportunity to experiment with new ideas in real-life situations and take on leadership roles. It’s also a space where less-experienced volunteers can shadow and learn from their more experienced colleagues.

These opportunities to enhance skills and grow professionally are what job hunters seek. A skills-based volunteering program makes it easier for you to attract and retain top talent, especially socially conscious professionals. Per Deloitte Global’s 2022 Millennial and Gen Z Survey, young professionals seek “increased learning and development opportunities” along with “a greater commitment from businesses to make a positive societal impact.”

Volunteering together strengthens relationships between employees and lays the foundation for future collaboration. For example, a volunteer team with staff from IT, finance, advocacy, and marketing work together on a nonprofit’s fundraising campaign. These employees might not have worked together before, but this project may spark ideas about how they can collaborate more in the future. 

With skills-based volunteering, your company creates social impact in a substantial and tangible way. This is a great story to share both internally and externally. Brands that actually live up to their CSR promises are much better at attracting customers, employees, and investors. 

Creating the right volunteer opportunities for every employee

Employees can contribute to the nonprofit sector in countless ways. Projects should be tailored to fit the employee skills and the nonprofit’s needs. Here are a few examples of volunteer opportunities by discipline:

HR: draft policies, write job descriptions, or develop an employee handbook.Marketing: advise on digital and social media advertising strategy teams, sponsorship sales, or marketing and fundraising campaigns.Business strategy: conduct SWOT analysis, strategic planning, or process assessment and improvement.Data and technology: develop technology requirements for new software, set up QuickBooks, or create data analytics dashboards and reports.

Skills-based volunteers can also teach nonprofit staff and/or volunteers a specific skill, for example, how to use accounting software or understand their website’s Google Analytics. They can also work directly with community members to provide skills training that the nonprofit’s constituents need. 

In Montgomery, Alabama, Regions Bank partners with Mercy House, a nonprofit organization, to connect bank employees with local families. The employees provide one-on-one financial counseling to help address people’s unique financial challenges.

How to get started with skills-based volunteering

Having a general framework for launching a skills-based volunteering program is essential. However, since no two nonprofits are alike, tailor your project management process to the nonprofit’s needs and circumstances.There is not a one-size-fits-all playbook. Each partnership will be unique. Here are the steps to think about as you look to adopt a skills-based approach.

Identify nonprofits that align with your company and staff values.Meet with nonprofit leadership to discuss their goals and needs.Determine how your company can help.Appoint an account or project manager who serves as a liaison with the nonprofit. This person ensures the volunteers—and nonprofit staff—stick to the plan and follow through on their responsibilities.On your volunteering platform, describe open opportunities along with project goals, required skills, and time commitment. Employees can browse these listings and find the ones that match their skill sets and interests.Invite employees who would benefit most from the experience to sign up.

Afterwards, do a retrospective after major projects with the volunteers and nonprofit staff involved. Discuss what went well, what didn’t, and what you would do differently next time. This information is useful for liaisons and volunteers for future projects.

Share project success stories and outcomes with the entire staff—your public relations team will love them too. When volunteers see a visualization of the hours spent on the project, they’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Skills-based volunteering helps individuals leverage their unique skills to give back in meaningful ways. Moving forward, corporate leaders should look for ways their organization as a whole can do the same. Explore how your team can deepen your partnership with nonprofits, incorporate social impact into your business mission, and become a values-driven brand.

FARMINGTON, Conn., August 2, 2023 /3BL/ – Continuing a more than 30-year global tradition of giving back through the Special Olympics, Otis proudly sponsored the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. More than 60 Otis colleagues from Germany, France, Italy, and Spain volunteered at the event – the largest inclusive sports competition of its kind around the world. 

“It was inspiring to see so many of our colleagues across EMEA step up to make such a large gathering of amazing athletes, coaches and families possible,” said Otis’ Sr. Director of Global Social Impact Matt T. “We encourage all our colleagues across the globe to keep that momentum going by volunteering with their local Special Olympics chapters throughout the remainder of 2023 and beyond.”

The more than 800 hours dedicated to this event by Otis colleagues added to the company’s ongoing commitment to encourage volunteerism to create more vibrant communities and inclusivity for all. In fact, one of Otis’ 13 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals includes achieving 500,000 volunteer hours in the communities where its colleagues live and work by 2030.

Colleagues in other regions have volunteered time to support Special Olympics events as well. For example, Yojiro A., a manager at the Johoku Service Station in Tokyo, Japan, led an Otis team to fundraise locally for Special Olympics. And Brad G., an engineering technical fellow in Connecticut, has partnered with the Otis Thrive Employee Resource Group to help stage the annual Connecticut Special Olympics Winter Games Alpine Event. 

“It’s a rewarding experience and, once you volunteer, you’ll be back again,” said Brad, who has volunteered with the Connecticut chapter of the Special Olympics for more than a dozen years. 

Otis has also been supporting Special Olympics Australia since 1994 where colleagues and their families volunteer and fundraise to support the state, regional, national and world games. Most recently, they supported the Special Olympics fundraising drive to help send Australian athletes to the World Games in Berlin.

Earlier this year, Otis volunteers in Madrid, Spain helped at a bowling tournament organized by the Special Olympics to raise money supporting local athletes. And, Otis colleagues, like Gobinath B. an Otis Major Projects Manager in France, has been volunteering with the Special Olympics for more than 10 years and says there is no doubt giving back has been mutually beneficial.

“There are no words strong enough to describe the feelings of joy, pride, and fulfillment that I receive [when volunteering],” he said.

About Otis
Otis is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.2 million customer units worldwide, the industry’s largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 69,000 people strong, including 41,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @OtisElevatorCo.

ESG or Environmental, Social, and Governance is a term that originated in the finance and investment industry and has recently become a buzz term as investors increasingly incorporate ESG factors into their investment decisions. Sustainability is a broader term and is often defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Academically, there are some nuanced differences between the two terms. Practically, the two terms are essentially the same, and which term you choose to use may be determined by who you talk to. We often use the term “sustainability” when speaking to a non-financial person and explain sustainability as the three concepts of E, S, and G.

So, what does this mean for data centers? Increasingly, studies show that strong ESG performance is linked to improved financial performance and a stronger business. For data centers, this means improving ESG performance will improve data center performance – higher uptime, lower PUE (power usage effectiveness), lower WUE (water use efficiency), etc.

In the sections below, we will break it down and show you how to improve the “E,” the “S,” and the “G” of your data center for greater performance and improved resiliency.

Environmental Considerations 

Data centers are critical infrastructure for the modern digital economy, but their exponential growth and the need for precise environmental controls (that come with large cooling towers) has resulted in significant environmental impacts. Energy usage is the most significant impact, with data centers consuming vast amounts of electricity to power and cool their servers which accounts for about 40% of data center energy usage. Despite increases in energy efficiency, data center energy consumption worldwide still accounts for approximately 2.5% to 3.7% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, and energy demand is only on the rise.

One of the best ways data centers can reduce their emissions is by using water cooling instead of air conditioning. The main drawback to that is that steadily increasing water consumption in data centers is also becoming a concern. Data centers require significant amounts of water to cool their equipment, and there is currently a severe lack of water efficiency innovations to reduce water demand.

Most data centers do utilize closed loop systems for cooling to minimize their water use, although the large increase in new data centers continues to increase water demand and strain local water resources. While water is generally viewed as an abundant resource, roughly one-fifth of all data centers draw water from stressed watersheds which puts a strain on local water resources. The heavy reliance upon water supplies in water-scarce basins exposes data centers to increased risks (physical, regulatory, and reputational), and highlights the role that data centers play in contributing to the local water scarcity issues.

Additionally, data centers generate significant amounts of waste, including electronic waste, chemical waste from coolants, water treatment chemicals, and other small quantities of chemicals, and lead-acid batteries. Data center waste can contain toxic substances that pose a risk to the environment and human health if not stored, managed, and disposed of properly. Diesel fuel is also stored and used on-site at data centers for use in emergency generators, and it may pose a risk if it is not managed properly. While data centers are not typically viewed as hazardous chemical sites, it is critical that they take inventory of all chemicals on-site to guarantee that all rules and regulations are followed.

Data centers are increasingly exploring sustainable alternatives such as renewable energy sources, water recycling, and responsible waste management practices to mitigate their impacts, although more action needs to be taken to mitigate the environmental impact of this rapidly growing industry.

Social Considerations 

Safety and health are critical components of the “S” in ESG, as they directly impact the well-being of employees and customers within the data center environment. Companies that prioritize safety and health not only reduce the risk of workplace accidents and illnesses, but they also promote a culture of care and responsibility.

Incorporating safety and health into ESG strategies requires a holistic approach that goes beyond compliance with regulations. Moreover, companies must take proactive measures to identify and mitigate potential risks to safety and health. To assist with a start of identifying some of the health and safety hazards, check out this list of the most common audit findings. A few examples of health and safety issues include noise, heat, electrical, ergonomics, lone work, and one potentially lesser-known topic, machine operation hazards (e.g., the shredding of hard drives). Among traditional health and safety topics, data centers can further develop the “S” component by prioritizing data center employee wellness. Ways to do this include providing access to healthcare, mental health resources, and programs that promote work-life balance.

Governance Considerations 

Corporate governance, the “G” in ESG, is the most established of the three pillars of ESG and defines how companies interact with the full range of external stakeholders. It is the governance “G” of environmental “E” and sustainability “S” initiatives that provide the backbone for ESG success, while accountability, transparency, and stakeholder engagement are the tools through which this success is realized.

Transparency lies at the core of effective ESG governance. Companies must be candid about their ESG strategies, targets, and progress. Regularly publishing comprehensive sustainability reports that adhere to recognized reporting standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), is vital. Transparent reporting, which not only highlights accomplishments but also addresses challenges and setbacks, will strengthen trust with investors, customers, employees, and the wider public, fostering a supportive ecosystem for sustainable endeavors.

Accountability is the linchpin of successful ESG initiatives. Boards of directors should take an active role to oversee sustainability efforts, ensure they are integral to the company’s overall strategy, and integrate ESG metrics into executive performance evaluations to confirm sustainability efforts are prioritized. Independent audits by third-party organizations can provide objective assessments, offering external validation of ESG claims.

Additionally, shareholder engagement should extend beyond financial considerations to include discussions on environmental and social matters, guaranteeing stakeholders have a voice in shaping the company’s sustainability agenda. This stakeholder engagement can be a key differentiator in effective ESG governance. By involving a comprehensive and diverse set of stakeholders, businesses can more effectively gain insights and identify blind spots.

For example, engaging with employees can encourage a culture of sustainability within the organization, empowering staff to contribute innovative ideas. In addition, collaborating with local communities can lead to more sustainable development projects that align with their needs and aspirations. Finally, engaging with NGOs, industry peers, and experts can provide guidance on best practices and emerging sustainability trends.

As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of their role in shaping a sustainable future, robust governance practices will drive them towards positive environmental and social impacts, leading to a brighter and more sustainable world for all.

Final Thoughts 

In conclusion, the convergence of ESG and sustainability principles provides a clear path for data centers to mitigate their environmental impact and drive positive change. First, addressing energy consumption, water usage, and waste management are crucial steps in reducing emissions and improving overall performance. Next, prioritizing safety, health, and employee well-being fosters a culture of responsibility within data centers. Finally, effective governance practices, including transparency and accountability, are essential for driving sustainability efforts and building trust with stakeholders.

By embracing sustainable alternatives and collaborating on solutions, data centers can lead the way toward a greener, more sustainable digital future.

Are you looking for help with your data center and ESG? Reach out to your data center support team or our ESG and Sustainability services for guidance today!

About Antea Group

Antea®Group is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at us.anteagroup.com.