Molson in the Community

Last week, the Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources (CAVR) and the Professional Administrators of Volunteer Resources (PAVRO) joined together for its annual conference at the Sheraton in Hamilton, ON.  Molson was invited to join in the conversation on a panel format.

Scott Ewart, Molson’s Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer was there along with four other panel members to discuss challenges, opportunities and issues impacting volunteerism in their sector, as well as their vision of the future of volunteerism.  Other panel members:

• Rose VanRotterdam, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• Liz Weaver, Director for the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction
• Vincenza Travale, Chair, Foundations Canada
• Ruth MacKenzie, President, Volunteer Canada

I was lucky enough to join Scott in Hamilton and listen to (and video! — below) some of the panel discussion.  One of the most interesting topics that Scott discussed was the concept of 3-dimensional philanthropy, a model of philanthropy from Mary Donohue, founder of the National Mentoring Program.  Watch the video below to learn about Molson’s  3-dimensional involvement.

As you probably know, the issue of energy conservation is making headlines throughout the world today. The call to action is for all of us realize that to preserve our planet’s resources for generations to come; we all have to take action. At Molson, we depend on the future of natural resources such as water, hops or barley to make our beer. So, it’s absolutely critical for us to reduce our energy consumption and ensure those resources last, for at least a few more centuries.

I’m pleased to share on this forum that this week we launched our Energy Conservation Program across all of Molson breweries in Canada. It is an internal campaign which focuses on getting everyone working in the breweries involved in making small changes that can lead to big results in conserving water, electricity and natural gas. The program includes targets for reducing the amount of energy or water used in making our beers. There is a comprehensive communication plan focusing on raising the awareness amongst brewery personnel about the importance of being informed and mindful of their water and energy use at work of course but also at home. Their actions – for example, when they turn off equipment that is not in use, signaling leaking water taps – or switching off lights that are unnecessary can make a big difference. The plan is designed to increase their awareness of this and to encourage a change of behaviors and culture towards reducing wasted energy and water, at the brewery or at home.

It’s a new approach but energy efficiency is not a new to Molson. Over the years, we’ve already taken important steps to reduce our environmental footprint. For example, we target environmental conservation at all steps of the brewing process. We’ve also set standards in water management, waste reduction and recycling. Our recycling initiatives with beer bottles, aluminium and corrugated cardboard dramatically reduce land fill.

Looking ahead, the goal is to continue to reduce energy usage in our brewing process. The focus of the campaign is on three key energy sources: gas, electricity and water.

As individuals, we all have the power to make a difference for the environment, whether it’s at work or at home. Small gestures have a real, positive impact. For example, you can turn off a dripping tap, power off idling machines, turn off lights and computers.

We’ll keep track of our progress and we’ll regularly communicate results and provide updates and conservation ideas and tips to employees. The ultimate intent is to make Molson one of the most environmentally conscious and energy efficient breweries in the world.

Why? Simply put, because it’s the right thing to do, and together we have the power to make a difference!

Things have been buzzing around the Meal Exchange office these past few weeks. For those of you that aren’t familiar with the work we do- we’re a national youth-led charity that engages students across Canada to address hunger in their communities.

At the moment, we’re gearing up for our May fundraising campaign- ‘Fill ‘er Up- Meal Exchange’s Grocery Cart Challenge’. Our goal is to raise $5000 by May 31^st through the combined efforts of individual donations across Canada. It’s amazing how even small contributions can really add up- we’re asking students to donate $12, or the cost of attending a movie and adults to donate $28- the cost of going out to a nice restaurant. If the $5000 target is reached, it will enable us to provide 6000 meals for those in need. What makes it even better is that Molson has agreed to match all donations made! If you’re interested in contributing or want to watch our grocery cart fill throughout the month as donations come in, visit us at www.mealexchange.com starting May 5^th!

As part of our May Campaign, we’re also partnering with the Bishop Strachan school here in Toronto to host a unique benefit event that will assist us in our youth-led hunger reduction initiatives. Adapting our Portraits of Hunger program, the students really have gone above & beyond to tell the stories of those most vulnerable in the Toronto community. The performance called ‘4 Corners’ is an original play based on transcripts, interview & outreach work on the subject of hunger in Toronto. This will be a one of a kind event showcases the talent of Bishop Strachan students as they showcase the real stories of those facing hunger in our community. You can catch the performance on either May 20^th or 21^st and can purchase tickets online at www.mealexchange.com. Hope to see you there!

And last but definitely not least- it’s National Volunteer Week! Our organization has just 2 staff & so the work that we do across Canada happens BECAUSE of our student volunteers. Not only are they are the one’s on the ground where all the magic happens, but they are dedicated & incredibly enthusiastic individuals that have a vision for a country without hunger- and they inspire everyone they work with- myself included!

Leisha Zamecnik, Communications and Program Manager, Meal Exchange.

The Molson Forum for Dialogue is a forum in partnership with the Economic Club of Toronto. The forum is intended to bring together civic leaders and stakeholders in an informal setting to engage in conversations relevant to the civic leaders portfolio and interests of the gathered stakeholders.

Kevin Boyce, President and CEO of Molson (centre), and Mark Adler, President of the Economic Club of Toronto (left) hosted a Molson Forum for Dialogue at the Old Mill in Toronto this morning with Ontario Tourism Minister Peter Fonseca (right). A number of Tourism Industry “suppliers” attended the event.

The forum is part of Molson’s continued efforts in supporting the community in which we live, work, play and do business.

Molson and our employees are continuing to provide support to our Canadian troops around the world at this festive time of year. Molson has sent a supply of Molson Canadian for our troops to enjoy over the holiday season.

Molson is also continuing to support “Operation Santa Claus” by providing a duffle bag to each member of the 3000 Canadian Troops stationed around the world.

In communities across Canada employees provide support to various efforts in support of our troops. One example is a program that Ryan St. Peter initiated in Edmonton to support the Military Family Resource Centre at the Edmonton Garrison. Ryan raised $5000 and Molson matched his donation for a resultant achievement of $10000 towards the centre.

In conjunction with the Edmonton Oilers, Molson donated over 100 tikcets for the Oilers game on November 24th that assisted in sending over 5000 people, members of the troops and their families to enjoy the Oilers game.

Most recently Molson announced seed funding and support for the construction of a multi-purpose recreation facility at Canadian Forces Base Halifax (Shearwater). The project will provide a facility for ice hockey, ball hockey and a skating park for the Canadian military forces.

Molson and our employees are proud to continue to support our troops at home and abroad, consistent with the heritage and history of Molson that has seen generation after generation provide this ongoing support.

Supplying support to Canadian troops has been a tradition at Molson as far back as the late 1700s when John Molson served his country as a politician in peacetime – and as a soldier during war. Throughout the War of 1812-14, Mr. Molson – the force behind the establishment of the country’s first commercial steamboat enterprise – enlisted in the force along with two of his sons and dedicated his steamships to the service of the Crown. The Swiftsure was the first steamship to be used in war.

Molson…proud to play our part.