#csrgove

On the 28th of July, our CSRGOVE class was scheduled to go back to Kayumanggi to implement the projects, talks, and workshops we had conceptualized during our first visit. It was a quick trip to Valenzuela, however, we had to wait in our respective vans for quite a while before we were allowed to go down and proceed to the court where each group will hold their planned programs for the different committees. It had turned out that a lot of our participants were unavailable to attend because of prior commitments such as makeup classes for their school. Despite the sudden problem, all of the groups were able to adapt to the situation and alter their planned programs to fit the available audiences.

Fortunately, our group had only needed the two exposure reflection program (ERD) committee heads. We planned a workshop that focused on helping them present and communicate with external organizations in a more effective and efficient way. Our agenda consisted of proper powerpoint making and proper e-mail making. For the first topic, which was powerpoint making, we taught them how to make effective powerpoints and gave tips on the proper font size and how many words or sentences should be on one slide. They were very attentive and when we gave them each a chance to do a demo, they were able to do the tasks we asked them to.

For the second agenda, which was e-mail making, we taught them an easy format to follow so that their e-mails would be uniformed and formal. When we first asked how they composed their e-mails, they had no fixed format so I typed in a sample e-mail regarding their incoming event so that they will be able to visualize it. As our workshop progressed, the two ERD heads had invited over more people so they would be able to see and ask questions to further their knowledge. This made me realize that the workshop we planned was very well-fitted to the community because they were all so eager to learn more about what we were discussing. Towards the end of our workshop, we had compiled the presentations and mock e-mails we had composed so that they would have a future reference.

As I stated earlier, many of the intended participants were not able to go, so the community invited the few available adults and children. Since we had initially invited over the two ERD heads, our group had extra hands to accommodate more participants even if it was not part of our original plan. One of our groupmates had caught the attention of two little girls and throughout out workshop, they had a mini side workshop themselves. It was refreshing to see that our whole class was fast to act on making sure no one is excluded from the activities we had prepared even if it was not in our initial plan.

On June 23, our CSRGOVE class had our first community outing to the Kayumanggi Valenzuela Chapter. The day started as planned, we left campus on schedule and arrived in our partner organization with a couple more minutes to spare. Based on the location and facilities of the organization, I was already able to recognize some of the areas where they are lacking and need help with. Despite the heat due to the open-air environment of their building, the different committees of the organization joyfully accommodated us and briefed us on their history, core values, current programs, advocacies, and processes.

The organization was established on March 8, 2008, and is currently registered in the BIR and SEC. The main programs they have established committees for are the exposure reflection program (ERP), education and skills training, services, livelihood, expansion, and advocacies. The ERP committee is designated to reach out to other organizations or individuals to aid Kayumanggi’s objectives and help them make progress. The education and skills committee devote their time planning talks for the laborers so that they would be informed with the matter concerning their basic labor rights, the national labor situation, Magna Carta for the informal sector, gender sensitivity, and much more. The third committee, which is services, provides feeding programs, relief goods distribution, school supplies distribution, youth leadership training, savings loan, and others. Other than working in the numerous factories in Valenzuela, the organization’s livelihood committee also seeks to provide extra income for the laborers. Kayumanggi currently has three (3) chapters which are located in Valenzuela, Paranaque, and Quezon City. The expansion committee aims to widen the organization’s reach starting with the other locations located in Valenzuela such as De Castro, Brgy. Ugong, and Sto. Rosario St. Lastly, the advocacy committee aims to uplift the female laborers so that they may be knowledgeable of their rights and be provided with decent work. The organization is currently fighting for the end of contractualization, extended maternity leave, and anti-violence against women.

After the in-depth discussion of each committee, the class was then divided into groups so that we may be able to cater to the different programs that the organization currently has. Our group was assigned to the ERD committee. The committee heads were eager to answer our questions soon as we asked them what concern they wanted help with. Since the ERD committee’s main objective is to reach out so that the organization will gain supporters, partners, and possible sponsors, they shared that their main concern is the lack of equipment for presentations such as computers and projectors. When we asked them for their other concern, they only emphasized their lack of reach in terms of technology. After our discussion with the committee heads, our group decided that it would be for the best that we scout possible sponsors that share the same advocacies as Kayumanggi to sponsor the equipment they need. After deciding to propose that idea, our group came up with a brief list of the basic computer skills they need to be taught so that they would be able to maximize the use of technology. Our proposed SL activity is a workshop to teach them basic documentation tasks, such as the use of powerpoint and excel, and set up the organization’s email so that they would be able to reach out to more people and promote their organization.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve finally come to the point of our last blog entry (cue sighs of relief). I would’ve have said this is bittersweet but honestly, this is purely a blissful moment in time. I can hear the sound of crowds cheering as I write this final blog entry. But don’t get me mistaken as someone who loathes this kind of academic exercise. It’s just overwhelming that an academic task has been done and will victoriously leave my pile of school-related to-do list. What better way to end this blog than to synthesize what I’ve learned so far from the whole CSR experience. Well, I know we’re only midway through the term as midterms has just passed by unnoticed but I’m confident enough to declare that I have already learned a lot of things and experienced situations that are definitely for the books.

The very essence of this subject revolved around the fact that we, as future business leaders and regular boys and girls from the block, can impact change in the society if we act upon the powers we have as a person responsibly. It might be a common knowledge and a cliché fact that we are all stewards of each other. Wow, it’s been a long time since I remember the words: shared destiny. I had a sudden vivid memory of hearing the phrase from one of the greatest minds I’ve known and admired, the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. She would always narrate how Filipinos tend to have a feeble understanding and a weak grasp of such a concept as shared destiny. She explains that it might be the very reason why some would prioritize oneself and pick on a side where it is advantageous to oneself only than thinking for an action wherein a greater number of people would benefit. Until now, I am deeply saddened over the fact that she became the country’s biggest opportunity cost when she didn’t get the chance to lead the nation as President.

You might think I may be drifting away from the topic with that little flashback. However, come to think of it, corporate social responsibility also requires the understanding and acceptance of shared destiny. We must come to terms with the reality that we are responsible for one another; to the stakeholders that relies and depends on the company as they make very crucial decisions. As aspiring leaders of the industries and communities we wish to be part of sooner, we are going to face situations where are morality is on the line and where our limits are tested. The case studies we are currently dissecting in class may give us a snapshot of what it really would be in the real world. We might be turning a blind sight on it as of the moment but there will come a time when the alternatives we, both consciously and subconsciously, pointed out in class might be the bastion of what we perceive as socially responsible.

Another week has passed since the last blog entry and it feels like I’m running out of ideas to talked about in this blog. However, it was by that amount of time that we have made a significant turn in our course (apart from the service learning activity which is currently in the works) and have already discussed four case studies in class. I’ve always wondered how corporate social responsibility would be tackled in a course. I’ve personally felt that doing socially responsible activities are deeply rooted in empathy and genuine concern. I’ve thought that there’s really no way to teach that among students since it is more likely to be about their moral upbringing as individuals. As it turns out, there’s more to it that simple empathy and morality, and that the academic community has developed it to be a system.

The case studies we’ve had so far dealt with performance appraisal, family loyalty, honesty and overtime pay. Upon going through these cases, I’ve figured out that it is not that absolutely easy to decide for the fate of a company especially if it has an existing negative culture that it encourages. However, I also find myself putting on alternatives that are driven from common sense and practicality. Moreover, it was interesting to note how a decision criteria could be a huge help in making a sound judgment on a certain issue. Usually, an individual would only consider a few things before making an alternative. Sometimes they would only raise one question to themselves that goes along the lines of, “Will it do me any good?” or “Will this benefit me?”

I would say that the case studies we’ve had so far, like any other things in the world, taught me a couple of things. First, corporate social responsibility, though it can be driven mostly through empathy, does not work that easily especially when there are really situations that calls you to reflect on your ethics and capacity to make a morally right judgment that benefits all stakeholders. Other might argue that it’s just a matter of common sense in making a decision but if you are someone who’s in a corporate setting wherein pressures are greater, it’s just no easy task you could whip off. Second, decision criteria is a must. It is something I would want to acquire in my personal life too. When deciding, I think it would be good to have a criteria to be able to assess what are the priorities at stake in choosing an alternative. Last and probably the most basic realization I’ve had, the stakeholders are very important! It is always vital to look into how a decision affects everyone concerned, not favoring a majority or a personal interest.

As much as I don’t want to be petty and bring this concern in my blog entry, I think this is called for since this is the only means I can find to address this. Forgive me if this peer evaluation has been too early and allow me to rant for the next couple of sentences just to relieve myself of the pressure. Well, I find my groupmates lacking at some aspects. One groupmate doesn’t contribute much and the other one does contribute but it isn’t sufficient for me (but I admire his ideas). The truth of the matter is that I can’t rely on them with elaborating and expounding our case studies. They would just sometimes leave bulleted points and that’s it...I’m left to do with the excruciating part which would be evaluating the alternatives (parts 5 to 7). As a groupmate and as a senior to them (who took upon myself to lead the group because clearly I could not count on my leader), I am still hoping for the best and hopefully motivate them more. Here’s to fortunately ending the term with them on a high and good note.

“I can’t believe we’re doing NSTP all over again.”

“Ay may pa-outreach si ma’am for CSRGOVE.”

These were probably among some of my first and self-contained thoughts when I figured out that we will be doing a service learning activity for our subject. It’s pretty safe to say that I am not alone with these comments. Well, we already had enough of NSTP to say that we had accumulated what we should already know about reaching out to the society’s minorities. At least, that’s what we’ll most likely feel about this. Anyways, we’ve got no other choice but to comply, be mistaken by these first impressions and most importantly, LEARN.

It all boiled down to one fateful Friday. I was worried I wouldn’t make it since a possibility of sleeping through my alarm can happen. Gladly, despite the 11am to 9pm schedule on a Thursday that worn me out, I was fortunate to have woken up. The ride to Asilo was fast and smooth. I would have to commend our leaders for arranging our trip well.

Enough about me. What about Asilo de San Vicente de Paul? As a matter of fact, it was surprising that such an organization has so much space despite being in the heart of Manila. The complex was huge enough to accommodate different functional halls. The breeze is surprisingly fresh from their place (we all know how Manila air could get).

There’s a lot of work to be done with the organization. Even though, it has been established over a 100 years, it seems that there’s still a need to do a lot in terms of establishing its name and community. To me, it feels like it remains to be an unheard charitable institution unlike others who have similar roles as they would do. When we were presented the tasks that they need help of, I was surprised that most of them are related to my degree program as well as my colleagues from both sections.

A little part of me was happy that I would get to be part of the team for the overhaul of their newsletter layout. It was probably due to the fact that it’s been a long time since I had anything related to newspapers (being a school paper writer back then). As of now, what they wanted to do with the newsletter is kind of vague but we get that we need to completely revise it and make it more appealing. I am excited to see the outcome of our efforts and the manifestation of what both sections have to offer for Asilo.

To summarize my experience, we do not see everything that is laid out in front of us. We need to engage and dive into every detail of things to further understand the true essence of things. Certainly there is more to what meets the eye and to understand is the basic foundation of every reason behind of such things. Particularly, the community that we have made a difference in, is one of the things to learn from because even such a small change means a whole world to them. And that is why having these kinds of projects that helps us experience a different side of things can truly help develope a person.

Going back to my earlier childhood days, I always felt this need to give an extra of whatever thing I have to these less fortunate people. Consequently, my actions were being looked down upon because of the “dangers” that these less fortunate people can do to me when I approach them. I found it confusing and it somewhat grew on me. Eventually, my perspective changed to what I was being taught about these people. Although, I felt this lingering feeling of what I was doing was incorrect. A couple of years passed since then and I was introduced to community service activities. Of course, because of my childhood, I shamelessly placed myself apart from these people without a second thought. Then again, because of that lingering feeling of helping others, I urged myself to have dialogue with a community family. Since then on, my eyes were reopened to the harsh reality that we live in.

At the present time, I have a class called CSRGOVE which was about corporate social responsibility. We learned all kinds of proper ethics and viewpoints towards the modern society.  With this class, it really helped me to develop a better perspective of our society. Aside from that, we have this project called “Service Learning” and our task was to make a difference in the chosen community. TOPS or tahanan outreach projects and services inc. was our community that we partnered with. As we prepared for our implementation, each member of the class collaborated well towards the success of the project.

The committee that I was assigned to was fundraising. Seeing how money can be a struggle in our project, we decided to make a raffle event to raise funds for the project. Each ticket would cost twenty pesos each and one person should sell an amount of fifteen tickets. At the end of the day, because of a group effort, we were able to get funds enough for the project as well as an extra amount to give to the community.