Processor Handbook - Innovation Center for US Dairy

4
Community Contributions
Why measure community contribution impacts
Dairy processors and manufacturers contribute to their
local communities and regions in ways that can be
obvious to consumers and stakeholders, such as direct
economic support, local taxes paid and as a source for local
employment opportunities.
Other impacts may be less obvious:
• Community engagement by employers and employees
to service organizations, churches and schools
• Charitable contributions
• General contributions and capacity building to support
the overall vitality of many rural communities
Additionally, employees of dairy processors and
manufacturers often play crucial leadership roles in their
communities, serving in local government, fire departments
and school boards, and participating in community and
youth programs. Dairy processors and manufacturers often
provide scholarships for college students, grant funding to
local community projects and get involved in community
volunteering and charitable efforts. It is important that
processors and manufacturers have a way to measure and
communicate the impacts they have on their community.
Scope of the indicators
The indicators for community contributions focus on
the impacts dairy processors and manufacturers have
on sustaining socially vibrant communities. They include
time and financial contributions such as volunteering and
donations as well as educational opportunities provided in
the form of tours and informational events.
Community 3: Educational Opportunities is a secondary
indicator that processors and manufacturers are
encouraged to complete and communicate in their
sustainability reports if they have access to the
necessary information.
Community Volunteering/
Capacity Building — Primary PM
Community 1
1. Relevance
Dairy processors and manufacturers can have significant
impacts on their local communities. Through volunteer
efforts, dairy processors and manufacturers become
engaged in community and national projects and create
a positive view of their company. Volunteer efforts can
include company-wide projects, as well as individual
employee efforts on behalf of the company. Through
volunteering, dairy processors and manufacturers create
a positive relationship with their local surroundings while
promoting public service.
2. Metric
Volunteer activities performed by all paid employees
3. Calculation and reporting
3.1 Describe volunteer activities.
Provide a narrative description of volunteer activities for
all employees (including manager/owner) who are paid to
participate during the past year.
4. Other measurement considerations
Report the total number of hours volunteered by all
employees (including manager/owner) who are paid to
participate in volunteer activities for the reporting year.
The table above provides a template for this optional
reporting.
5. Definitions
Volunteering: This includes the donation of time or
service to an outside organization without expectation of
pay to advance humanitarian objectives. 22
6. Documentation
Log of volunteered hours
7. Resources
• DOL. 2012. FLSA Advisor: Volunteers www.dol.gov/
elaws/esa/flsa/docs/volunteers.asp.
Industry examples:
° ° Ben and Jerry’s. 2009. Giving Back &
Community. www.benjerry.com/company/
sear/2009/sear09_10.0.cfm.
° ° Oakhurst Dairy. 2012. Our Community. www.
oakhurstdairy.com/community/efforts.php.
° ° Tillamook. 2012. Our Story. www.tillamook.
com/ourstory/index.html.
Optional Measurement Considerations
Employees Retained
Type of Service
Civic Organizations
Emergency Services (e.g.,
ambulance, fire department)
Industry Organizations
Local Government
Non-Profit
Religious
School
Youth Group
Other
Total Hours Volunteered
Hours Volunteered
38
DRAFT Processor Handbook to the Guide, April 2013