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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOD-005-01 , REPORT CORPORATE SERVICES Meeting: General Purpose & Administration Committee Date: Monday, September 17, 2001 COD-005-01 File #: fVlD d- 0rfl~J/7t-o J By-Law #: Report #: Subject: Employee Participation in Charitable Community Events Recommendations: 1. THAT Report #COD-Q05-01 be received; 2. THAT Council approves the proposed guidelines as it relates to the provision of Clarington promotional items to charitable community events; 3. THAT a budget be established for the remainder of 2001 at $500 with funding to be provided from the contingency account #7007-X-299; and 4. THAT all employees of the municipal corporation be advised of Council's decision. arie Marano, Director Corporate Services Reviewedtk') ~~ mnklin Wu, M.C.I.P. Chief Administrative Officer 901 REPORT NO.: COD-05-01 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Over the last two years there has been a marked increase in the number of requests received regarding the provision of Clarington promotional items - specifically shirts and/or hats - to municipal employees participating in (local) charitable community events. These items are requested for a number of reasons such as incentives to encourage a higher rate of staff participation and as a means to identify participants as municipal employees. Both the act of participating and identifying municipal employees are noteworthy and a valued part of heightening the Corporation's recognition as a community partner. 1.2 At this time, there is no corporate guideline that encourages the participation of municipal employees nor provides the allocation of municipal promotional items to these individuals. These requests are currently received by the Communications & Tourism Office (Corporate Services Department) and, as there is no identified budget account for this activity, are generally declined. 2.0 COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EVENTS 2.1 A significant part of any charitable organization's activities are those that are intended to generate funds to support the programs (including research projects) of the organization. To ensure success, the charitable organization relies on its corporate partners, like the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, to encourage its employees to take part in these fund raising activities. 2.2 The Communications & Tourism Office does actively assist local organizations and charities promote their events. Promotional brochures and/or posters are distributed to municipal recreation facilities, the tourism office and branches of the Clarington Public Library for display to the public 902 REPORT NO.: COD-05-01 PAGE 3 accessing those sites. Where possible, information is also included in the events calendar section of municipal publications (eg. Community Guide) and on the Municipality's Official website. 2.3 From a corporate perspective, employee participation in these events not only benefits the host organization but also has the potential to enhance the community image of the Corporation. For this reason alone, the opportunity to identify municipal employees presents many positive rewards. Unfortunately without having any guidelines in place, the Communications & Tourism Office is hesitant to create a precedent without Council's full knowledge and approval. 3.0 GUIDELINES 3.1 Guidelines are necessary to ensure that distribution of promotional items is done fairly and consistently. For this purpose, the following would constitute proposed guidelines: 1. The event must be in support of a recognized (registered) charitable organization or foundation; 2. The organizationlfoundation must have an ongoing presence within the Clarington community; 3. The contribution to anyone event will be based on the number of municipal representatives in the event & will be in the form of a Clarington product. 4. Contributions will consist of promotional items such as T-shirts, hats, key-chains, etc. and will be limited to one item per representative. 5. No cash donations will be considered. 6. The Communications & Tourism Office will continue to facilitate the promotion of the charitable community events by distributing and displaying promotional posters and/or flyers, through the established network of municipal recreation facilities, the Municipal Administrative Centre, the Tourism Office and the branches of the Clarington Public Library. 903 REPORT NO.: COD-05-01 PAGE 4 . 7. The CommunicationslTourism budget will reflect the contributions for Council's consideration in budget deliberations. 3.2 In preparation of the 2001 operating budget process, a special account will be established through which the items for employee participation will be purchased. The inventory will be held, but kept separate from the inventory of Clarington souvenirs, by the Communications & Tourism Office. Written requests for these items should be received by the Communications & Tourism Office a minimum of two weeks in advance of the event. These will be reviewed with the Director of Corporate Services Department. CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVIlLf. ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 904