Chestia tare e un program menit sa sustina elevii din mediul rural care au terminat clasa a opta sa-si continue studiile, prin acordarea unor burse. Programul se numeste Vreau in clasa a noua, e initiat de World Vision Romania si sustinut de persoane publice precum Elisabeta Lipa, George Mihaita, Calin Goia, Daniela Nane.

Cum pot face donatii clientii celor doua restaurante, cum a fost gandita strangerea de fonduri si care este, concret, planul de acordare a burselor pentru elevi, vedeti pe vreauinclasaanoua.ro. Direct de acolo, cateva chestii care sa va puna putin pe ganduri:

Conform Raportului Comisiei Prezidentiale pentru analiza si elaborarea politicilor din domeniile educatiei si cercetarii realizat in iulie 2007, anul trecut, doar 25% dintre elevii din mediul rural au urmat studii liceale, cu 13% mai putin decat in 2005. Principalele cauze ale abandonului scolar sunt saracia si lipsa de incurajare din partea parintilor.

Zonele cu risc ridicat de abandon scolar din cauza saraciei sunt in judetele: Teleorman, Giurgiu, Calarasi, Ialomita, Botosani, Iasi, Vaslui, Vrancea, Buzau, Braila, Galati. Aici, peste 30% din populatia de 15 ani nu a absolvit nici o scoala sau doar scoala primara.

So far we've attacked this from two angles.

First we got involved with A Major Telecoms business, where a number of employees were going off to spend a fortnight each working with a company-founded charity doing Good Causes work in Latin America. We helped to specify and provide camcorders for them, and put together a short training course to show them how to shoot and more importantly what to shoot: video diaries, shots of the work itself, a record of their time volunteering, what not to shoot (the work involved disadvantaged kids, and there were sensitivities). And when they'd shot, we'd edit their material together. And d'you know - it worked a treat. Not all the trainees ended up going, and not all ended up shooting everything we wanted (video diary material was a little thin on the ground), but what they sent back was vivid, emotional, and better than any most company propaganda. They respected the rules (we were worried about them shooting weeks and weeks of footage) and they remembered the key points for the training. 

And now we've gone even further. Last week I was in a Northern Hemisphere city several hours flight away, training a room full of volunteer co-ordinators to film and edit stories about the volunteers who they place in projects. And I can't wait to see what they shoot.

So, are you sending employees off to volunteer? Give me a shout and let me help you help them tell their stories.

project10tothe100.com boleh dibilang adalah cara unik google melakukan csr dalam rangka hut ke 10 nya.

Situs tersebut mencari ide terbaik untuk merubah dunia

Project 10¹⁰⁰ is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible.

Yang ide nya terpilih bakal dikasih dana oleh mbah google sebesar $10 juta untuk merealisasikan ide tersebut.

Ayo siapa aja yang punya ide untuk merubah dunia ini menjadi lebih baik buruan daftar disini, sapa tau ide mu kepilih, pendaftartannya tinggal seminngu lagi lho, pendaftaran ditutup tanggal 20oktober 2008

Wah..makin salut aja saya ama mbah google..

De curand, Unlikely Alliances, campania de comunicare care promoveaza initiativa We can Solve it a castigat premiul Ethic Mark Award 2008. Competitia premiaza anual "marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns and communications designed to uplift the human spirit and society".

Mesajul campaniei este acela ca oricat de diferiti am fi, oricat de ireconciliabile ar fi pozitiile noastre, atunci cand vine vorba de salvarea planetei, trebuie sa actionam impreuna. Mai multe "cupluri certate" de oameni politici si vedete TV au fost de acord uite de conflictele personale si sa sustina impreuna campania.

David Letterman si Billy Crystal

Al Sharpton si Pat Robertson, doi politicieni americani cu abordari religioase diferite

Publicul este invitat sa propuna si alte exemple de "unlikely alliances" care ar putea sustine cauza mediului. Printre sugestiile facute pana acum: Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston :-)) Pe plan local, eu i-as propune pe Traian Basescu si Calin Popescu Tariceanu. Cred ca impaginea lor, pedaland impreuna pe o bicicleta dubla, ar fi chiar un statement puternic!

Peak Pacific Limited, based in Hong Kong, is a newly incorporated business which has been formed through the spin-out of Cathay Pacific Airways' corporate eLearning business unit.

Peak Pacific will be led by CEO Kishor Mistry, former Corporate eLearning Manager at Cathay Pacific, who has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, 11 years of which were with Cathay Pacific.

Peak Pacific will primarily focus on aerospace, maritime, transportation and logistics business and will provide a one-stop eLearning company for customers to outsource their entire eLearning requirements, giving better economy of scale in terms of cost, quality, resources and flexibility depending on demand and business conditions.

NetDimensions has provided the eLearning technology platform to Cathay Pacific since 2001 and will work in partnership with Peak Pacific through a joint sales and marketing strategy to develop potential new clients.

Jay Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of NetDimensions, said:"The partnership with Peak Pacific strengthens our position within the aviation industry where companies are increasingly looking to reduce costs and meet compliance requirements by utilizing the kind of consultancy and outsourcing services that we will be offering in partnership with Peak Pacific."

"The deal will also help Peak Pacific achieve its goal of providing world- class eLearning solutions to the transportation and logistics sectors, bringing further long term benefits to NetDimensions as our eLearning technology platforms are used more and more across a wider range of industries."

About NetDimensions

Established in 1999 and listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM (NETD), NetDimensions is a global provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems. The company's key products include the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP), the Enterprise Assessment Platform (EAP) and the Enterprise Content Platform (ECP).

NetDimensions products and services help companies deliver and manage corporate training, career development, assessment and certification programs, and help clients around the world address growing regulatory compliance needs.

Recognized as one of the top-rated learning technology suppliers in overall customer satisfaction, NetDimensions has been chosen by multinational organizations worldwide including HSBC, ING and Cathay Pacific.

Enterprise Knowledge Platform and EKP are trademarks of NetDimensions Ltd.

About Peak Pacific Limited

Peak Pacific Limited is a professional eLearning Products, Solutions and Services Company, dedicated to becoming a globally recognized and market leading provider to the aerospace, maritime, transportation and logistics industry.

Peak Pacific designs and implements eLearning strategies that enable clients to unlock the power of its human resources by streamlining training processes and aligning them to business needs. Peak Pacific's mission is to develop long-term value for our customers, through people, industry knowledge, experience, research and understanding of their business values, needs and economic situation.

This will be achieved through a combination of in-house and outsourcing business models to ensure customers get value and quality that is cost effective, provides access to reliable professional services as long-term partners and manages customer needs based on environment and market conditions.

Read more: http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docKey=600-200809250230PR_NEWS_USPR_____HKTH004-4KIJ266HLDDRVQ2MNITVKLGVOO&provider=PR%20Newswire&docDate=September%2025%2C%202008&press_symbol=undefined&scp=3&sq=elearning&st=cse

Kärna

Goda charkprodukter med gott samvete.

Värdeerbjudande

Funktionellt: När jag köper charkprodukter från X vet jag att jag får bra kvalitet.

Emotionellt: När jag köper produkter från X känns det bra att veta att det är lokalt producerat och att en del pengarna går till lokalt välgörande ändamål.

Självuttryckande: Jag är en människa som gör medvetna val.

Relation

X är en engagerad vän som alltid bryr sig om mig och min närmiljö och gör mig till en bättre samhällsmedborgare.

Varumärkesposition

Du kan alltid lita på att X ger charkprodukter till god kvalitet och gör dig till en bättre samhällsmedborgare.

The WaterCredit program in India has two main components: first, to provide traditional grant funding directly to local non-government organizations to install pipes, faucets and storage cellars in impoverished communities, reaching some 60, 000 people. The second component is to establish a loan fund that will empower communities to expand access to safe water for an additional 60, 000 people over the course of the three-year project. This model produces a “multiplier effect” for impact based on a single source of funding and is the first time PepsiCo Foundation has applied micro finance as a strategic vehicle to advance water and sanitation improvements.

The idea of building community-based water supply projects through a combination of grants and loans is new to the water sector. Until now, nearly all water projects facilitated by other organizations have been funded entirely by grants, even when the individuals served by the project have the means to share costs.

Bridging microfinance and water is a topic that NextBillion.net covered earlier this year, so this is a connection that is working well in some regions and with the support of different organizations, such as ACCESS Development Services and Hindustan Unilever Limited. The vision behind this is that communities may not be able to afford methods that purify water and make it safe for drinking, but using microfinance models allows them to collectively take a loan and repay until they eventually purchase the system.

Safe Water Network will focus on developing water systems and raising awareness around the issue:

Working with non-governmental and community organizations and the private sector, SWN will address the critical water needs of nearly a quarter million people by supporting the development and implementation of water systems that will reliably provide neglected populations with safe, affordable water. The methods include rainwater harvesting, village-level water systems and “water kiosks.” Safe Water Network programs also work to mobilize and educate communities to raise awareness and provisions to create and maintain permanent clean water supplies. SWN will receive $3.5 million during a three-year period based on annual progress.

Revin tarziu, dar asa cum am spus revin cu ce s-a intamplat la Webstock. Am sa fac un mic rezumat- Prima conferinta a avut ca tema "Starea Blogosferei Astazi" printre speakeri numarandu-se Len (harta blogosferei si prezentare aici) de la care aflam ca activitatea blogosferei este mai intensa intre 11-14 si 20-22, Cabral, Manafu ( a prezentat cateva din datele Robloggers Survey 2008, se pare ca bloggerii nu prea folosesc Hi5, lol?), Vlad Petreanu a vorbit super despre Bloggeri vs Jurnalisti si el ar miza pe o "Redactia Blogosfera" formata din top100 roblogs intr-un duel cu Jurnalul National de exemplu. De la Catalin Tenita de la Zelist am aflat ca in septembrie au fost 7800 de bloguri active in Romania cu 108.000 posturi si 184.000 de comentarii ceea ce reprezinta un raport destul de mic, iar de la Bobby Voicu am urmarit o prezentare de 65 de slide-uri :D , o vedeti aici, el a sustinut foarte mult faptul ca pentru un blogger este important sa-si creasca comunitatea si ca este important sa o implice mai mult in ce face pentru a avea succes ;) .

A urmat conferinta 2 cu Andrew Shorten de la Adobe care ne prezentat Adobe Air, o chestie destul de misto si din Olanda Maxim Schram de la Redesignme.com prin care comunitatea creata propune idei de redesign ale lucrurilor folosite. La partea de workshop-uri am asistat la cel de Citizen Social Responsibility unde in prim plan au fost Cezar Cherciu un tip de anul 3 de la REI si cu campania sa : nufipungas.ro si Dan Patzelt cu EuNuBlochezIntersectia.ro.

Al doilea workshop a fost despre Financing Online Projects unde Vlad Stan a iesit foarte mult in evidenta cu Seedmoney, noua metoda prin care tu ca antreprenor fara resurse poti sa faci rost de finantare doar daca esti "Un Winner" :) .

A urmat Webstock Awards unde castigatorii au fost destul de usor de intuit, totul intr-o atmosfera mai mult decat relaxata. La partea de interactivitate, un plus pentru un serviciu oferit de Vodafone prin care puteai sa pui intrebari speakerilor printr-un sms care aparea proiectat pe un perete. Mai puteai sa joci in pauze Darts printr-un telefon LG si daca aveai cel mai mare punctaj castigai un mobil si l-am pierdut la mustata si oricum not fair pentru ca cel care jucase a aruncat de mai multe ori decat mine si mai mult dupa concurs facusem 99 de puncte si il depasisem :(  :D .

La partea de networking : am vorbit pentru prima data cu Bobby Voicu si este un om prea de treaba :) . Zoso a zis ca vorbeste doar pentru 5 Euro :P .

Una peste alta un eveniment foarte tare si greu de realizat, dar se pare ca nu imposibil pentru Manafu - Felicitari!

Vision

X ska vara den ledande aktören inom charkuteribranschen och ses som en förebild vad det gäller att förena goda produkter med god lönsamhet och socialt ansvarstagande.

Produktmission

Att tillverka och sälja charkprodukter av god kvalitet, gjord av naturliga råvaror med respekt för vår omgivning och miljö.

Ekonomisk mission

Att skapa långsiktig och lönsam tillväxt i företaget och skapa goda möjligheter till utveckling och karriär för våra anställda.

Social mission

Att tillsammans med intressenter och konsumenter utveckla nya vägar att förbättra människors livskvalitet och närmiljö.

Affärsidé

Att tillverka och sälja närproducerade charkuteriprodukter med god kvalitet och samtidigt förbättra människors livskvalitet och närmiljö.

STRIKK holdt selv en del av undervisningen i tillegg til å stå for dagen i sin helhet. Selv er vi godt fornøyde med dagen:) og etter tilbakemeldinger å dømme var også team 2 førnøyde. I korte trekk kan vi si at vi presenterte et case knyttet til sosialt entreprenørskap der enkeltindividet står for alt, fra ide til handling. Dette er individer som ikke nødvendigvis befinner seg i en bedrift eller organisasjon, men som opererer på egenhånd. Et eksempel her er Alf Inge Jensen og hans arbeide ved Hopen aktivitetsgård som du kan lese mer om i innlegget under. Videre tok vi for oss sosialt entreprenørskap i bedrifts sammenheng og hvordan entreprenørskap som metode og tilnærming kan åpne opp for nye måter å organisasjons-og forretningsutvikle på samtidig som man sikrer bærekraftige løsninger for enkeltindivider eller samfunn. Med dette som utgangspunkt så vi nærmere på likheter og ulikheter mellom sosialt entreprenørskap og CSR som SIGLA fortalte mer om etter oss i STRIKK. Sammen med Nettverkskreditt og Jan Urban Sandal fikk team 2 presentert ulike vinklinger, caser og meninger rundt de ulike begrepene og forhåpentligvis plassert de litt klarere i forhold til hverandre og har fått en større forståelse for hva som kan ligge i begrepene og dets handlinger.

I tillegg til å se ting fra ulike vinklinger, få nye ideer og lære mer selv var det både morsomt og nyttig for oss i STRIKK å få være tilbake ved KaosPilotene å kjenne litt på den gode stemningen som jeg bare kan karrakterisere som "KaosPilotånden". Håper å kunne komme tilbake en annen gang for selv å lære og lære bort.

Alexander Read

Promote education, and incorporate math, science, literacy, and/or technology skills development for young people (ages 0 through age 17) in urban areas of India who might otherwise have limited access to or be excluded from access to such education and skills training.

Here are the dates of the initiative:

Grant applications deadline: October 24, 2008, 5 p.m. Central Time, (GMT -6 hours)

Selection of Grant Awards: by January 8, 2009

Public Announcement: no later than January 16, 2009

Go here to find out more about this new endeavor by one of the largest PC makers in the world.

Stakeholder mencerminkan keragaman kelompok kepentingan dalam masyarakat tempat perusahaan beroperasi dan setiap stakeholder berhak menuntut perusahaan beroperasi dengan cara-cara yang secara social dan lingkungan dapat dipertanggungjawabkan (accountable). Karena itu perusahaan akan menjelaskan bagaimana perusahaan akan mempengaruhi meraka dan mempertimbangkan kepentingan mereka dalam mengambil keputusan di tingkat perusahaan.

Stakeholder sebuah kegiatan bisnis mencakup pemegang saham, karyawan, dan buruh. Serikat buruh/pekerja, buyer, supplier, konsumen, masyarakat lokal, ornop/LSM dan pemerintah. Belakangan ini, lingkungan hidup juga dianggap sebagai salah satu stakeholder tersendiri dan kepentingannya diwakili oleh organisasi-organisasi lingkungan hidup. Untuk konteks Indonesia masyarakat lokal dapat berarti masyarakat yang berdiam di sekitar daerah perusahaan, dapat juga berarti masyarakat adapt sebagai sebuah lembaga kemasyarakatan.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/D. Savio Wermasubun

Karena itu, pelaksanaan CSR harus bersifat wajib (mandatory) berdasarkan aturan hukum yang mengikat. Beberapa alasan dapat dikemukan. Pertama, pendekatan bersifat wajib akan memaksa semua perusahaan melaksanakan CSR, sehingga membuka suatu “level playing field” bagi semua. Kedua, pendekatan voluntaristik yang terjadi selama ini mengakibatkan munculnya berbagai ragam metode dalam pelaksanaan CSR. Pendekatan mandatory akan mengarah pada tersedianya standard pelaksanaan dan pelaporan yang jelas, yang akan memudahkan perusahaan dalam melaksanakan CSR dengan lebih efisien. Ketiga, kekuasaan sector bisnis swasta dalam era globalisasi telah berkembang begitu kuat, maka sudah selayaknya pelaksanaan CSR pun diatur dengan legislasi.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/D. Savio Wermasubun

I once swore to myself that I'd never write a blog, but here I am setting one up.

So, a little about me then. I'm Simon, and I present Canterbury's only truly local breakfast show every weekday morning between six and nine on CSR 97.4. We pride ourselves on playing the biggest tunes in Canterbury, along with a liberal smattering of local news fresher than the orange juice on your table, humour sharper than your grapefruit and the best traffic and travel information in the town. And, by the way, that doesn't just mean we tell you if there's a traffic jam on the Tourtel Road -- we also cover public transport -- trains, ferries and Eurostar, so no matter where you're heading off to, we've got your back.

I'll be keeping this blog up to date at least once -- perhaps twice -- every day, so keep checking back. Don't forget, you can get in touch with the show by e-mail via the website - at www.csrfm.com - and on the phone at 01227 82 3294. And if you're outside Canterbury, you can listen across the world through this link as well.

As companies pursue these strategies, consulting firms - such as Deloitte, IBM and KPMG - see a chance to win business. These consultants promise to help companies analyze their carbon footprints, identify ways to decrease energy consumption and identify the potential tax benefits of sustainability efforts.

In large part, companies are thinking about environmental issues because they're feeling more heat on the subject. Energy costs are soaring, shareholders and the general public are pushing harder for eco-friendly practices, and regulators are laying down stiffer rules. Seems that recycling paper or lowering thermostats just isn't enough anymore.

Investors are also pressing the SEC to require companies to disclose more thoroughly the risks that climate change poses to their businesses. For instance, could a company take a big financial hit to upgrade its operations to meet emissions standards? Companies will face even tougher disclosure requirements down the road, some environmental activists argue. International businesses already have to meet stiffer regulations, and U.S. emissions policies are expected to tighten no matter which party wins in November.

But the corporate sustainability push isn't just about avoiding trouble. Businesses also are recognizing the opportunities going green may provide.

A global survey of 250 executives by IBM found that 68% of businesses are looking at corporate social responsibility as a way to generate new revenue by creating new products or adapting existing ones. For instance, companies might develop energy-saving versions of their regular products. A different IBM study of 1,100 CEOs found that the majority plan to increase their investments in corporate social responsibility by 25% over the next three years.

Another benefit of sustainability efforts: Lots of workers like them. A survey of graduates of 11 top U.S. business schools found that while graduates expected to make about $103,000 at their first job, 97% said they would sacrifice on average up to $15,000 to work for a company with an "exemplary environmental performance, ethical business conduct, and good employee and stakeholder relations."

Developing a sustainability plan requires expertise on a range of subjects, including government regulations, climate change and technology. So companies are turning to consultants to do the thinking. Well, they should also look at business school students I suggest.

Another reason consultants argue that companies should hire them: They want to be sure they don't miss out on any perks, which are proliferating too quickly for most businesses to follow. There is an incredible amount of tax incentives around this issue, and federal, state and local governments offer a range of incentives and credits to businesses making green efforts, including training grants and sales-tax exemptions.

Another sign of the brisk business: the range of organizations looking for help. It's not just big corporations seeking out advice; groups of all sizes are turning to consultants to overhaul their operations. IBM, for example, has helped the U.S. Open reduce computer-related energy use by 60% in the past two years by shifting the tennis tournament's Web site to six servers from 60. Also, with IBM's help, Bryant University in Smithfield, consolidated three computer locations into one smaller one, decreasing the space requirements to 500 feet from 1,100 square feet.

GO CSR! At least there are some bright employments prospects in this bleak economy..

Repsol è un’importante realtà multinazionale operante in oltre 30 paesi ed è leader in Spagna ed in Argentina nella produzione di olio e gas. Basta andare sul sito internet corporate per rendersi conto dell’attenzione che dedicano alla comunicazione della responsabilità sociale. All’interno del report 2007 emergono tre aree di interesse: Ambiente , Persone e Collettività. La più importante ed anche scontata (per il tipo di business sviluppato) riguarda l’impegno verso la salvagiuardia dell’ambiente mediante inizaitive di riduzione dell’impatto ambientale di tutte le attività core in cui Repsol è impegnata; di particolare interesse il piano di azione sulle biodiversità attravsero il progetto Proteus 2012 sviluppato in collaborazione con UNEP-WCMC (United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation  Monitoring Centre). La seconda area di attenzione si identifica nel progetto di integrazione di Repsol all’interno della collettività, nel 2007 ha infatti avviato un piano biennale (2007- 2009 Corporate Responsibility Master Plan), finalizzato a valorizzare le possibili sinergie e i possibili contributi che Repsol può generare all’interno delle comunità in cui opera. L’intento è quello di creare e condividere concretamente azioni di sviluppo sostenibile integrate con le esigenze contestuali dei territori in cui si inserisce.

La terza ed ultima area di interesse, riguarda l’attenzione alle persone, pur non emergendo nessuna novità metodologica o iniziative significativamente innovative, Repsol ha avviato negli ultimi due anni un attento sentiero verso la valorizzazione delle proprie persone anche attravsero il rispetto delle diversità. Con il report del prossimo anno saremo in grado di valutare i primi impatti che le azioni previste hanno potuto generare.

BaumschützerInnen-Info vom 06.10.08

Arbeitskreis Nachhaltige Wirtschaft und Schifffahrt auflösen!

Wenn es um die Verschlankung des Spektrums an Arbeitskreisen geht, würde die BI ihrerseits vorschlagen, auf Grund hinlänglich bewiesenen Mangels an Verhandlungsbereitschaft seitens der wirtschaftlichen Hauptnutznießerin des LWK, nämlich der Fahrgastschifffahrt, den AK Nachhaltige Wirtschaft und Schifffahrt aufzulösen.

Ein wenig CSR-Engagement der Reederei Riedel, wovon anlässlich unserer LWK-Befahrung im Frühjahr ein TÜV-Mitarbeiter der Reisegesellschaft zwar berichtete, wir seither aber nichts mehr hörten, dient somit kaum zur Imageaufbesserung (Ethical Branding), wie viel weniger den eigentlichen Zielen dieser Initiative, die soziale und ökologische Belange, nämlich die Auswirkungen von Wirtschaftstätigkeit auf Umwelt und Gesellschaft umfassen. Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften, wir erinnern uns an den knapp zwanzig Jahre zurückliegenden Brundtland-Report, meint die umfassende Einbeziehung sozialer und ökologischer Standards entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette.

Da genügt nicht die (widerstrebende) Teilnahme an einem steuerfinanzierten Testprogramm für Dieselrußfilter, damit für ein Auslaufmodell fossiler Antriebstechnologie noch eine möglichst lange Restlaufzeit rausspringt. Und wenn Jürgen Loch von Stern und Kreis anlässlich der Übergabe der ersten 400 Protest-Postkarten unserer Aktion "Landwehrkanal für Alle" an den SenStadt-Vertreter Nagel entfuhr, er sehe mit der BI keinerlei Kompromissmöglichkeit, da sie ihm und den Seinen das Recht bestreite, die AnwohnerInnen weiterhin mit Abgasen zu belasten, erhellt das schlaglichtartig, wie es auf Seiten der Reeder um das Engagement für Nachhaltigkeit und die eigene Kompromissfähigkeit bestellt ist.

Bold? Yes. Successful? Well, so far there's been some criticism but the company is handling it well.

One thing they ARE being cautious about is whether this move will contravene Australia's Spam Act 2003 (Cth). And as Zac Martin has pointed out, there may be implications for other mediums like blogs, blog comment, facebook messages, etc.

[this post is not AGLC compliant]

To put it simply, at this point the law is not conclusive.

The legislation has attempted to cover mostly e-mail spam while anticipating future methods of spamming. Most of the cases related to the Spam Act have concerned e-mail, so there has as yet been little definition for contraventions using newer mediums.

Apparently the main concern for BigPond's lawyers is whether Twitter would be considered a 'commercial electronic message'.

First, does Twitter count?

 Twitter is a microblog site. That means, everyone has their own feed of blogs <140 characters, and these are only distributed to other people if they choose to subscribe to that blog by RSS, or 'follow' the blog.

The key point of contention is s 5(1)(b) of the Spam Act , which essentially states that for the penalties to apply a message must have been sent to and electronic address. This address must be in connection to::

"(i) an e-mail account; or
(ii) an instant messaging account; or
(iii) a telephone account; or
(iv) a similar account."

Is an RSS compiler a 'similar account'? Now there's the problem.

If Twitter is a 'commercial electronic message', then would BigPond be contravening the law?

I think that the matter would be more complex, but still defensible.

There are three separate offences::

1. Unsolicited commercial messages must not be sent. - However s 16(2) allows messages to be sent if prior consent has been given. Schedule 2 s 2 defines this as either expressly given, or reasonably inferrable from conduct or relationships.
   If someone is 'following' a Twitter feed, that might be express consent. But it is almost definitely a reasonable conclusion that they wanted to hear from the Twitterer.

2. Commercial electronic messages must include information about the individual or organisation who authorised the sending of the message. - s 17 clarifies that the organisation sending the message and their contact details must be 'clearly and accurately' identified. Arguably the link to a profile from the Twitter message will supply just that.

3. Commercial electronic messages must contain a functional unsubscribe facility. - This is the trickiest. s 18(1)(c) requires the message to contain a statement that the receiver can unsubscribe. Tough with Twitter's 140 char limit. It would be up to a court to interpret this, but Twitter already provides options to unsubscribe or block, and with a purposive interpretation I think that would be sufficient.

So Twitter's probably okay, but what about other websites?

With or without the 'commercial electronic message' debate, I think most spaces like blogs, Facebook and Myspace are still okay.

Most of these sites require you to be 'friends' before you post on their space, which means you have consented to hear from them. (Private messages on these sites may be a different matter though.) In the case of blogs or publically enabled Facebook walls, not using moderating systems for comments may imply that you have consented to all messages.

Most companies will use a profile on these sites to post information, which will clearly identify them.

Most sites also have a blocking capability.

The most iffy of these is blog comments, which is bad news for NAB with the complaints about their advertising tactics in August.

That's my legal rant for the year, if there's anything you think I've missed let me know.

Incidentally, the Australian Law Reform Commission is reviewing Privacy Law. Part of this is a proposal to have specific legislation for direct marketing - specific consent and easier opting out may be part of this. Won't be in force for a while if at all, but that WOULD rock the boat for marketers.

Adopt 3R- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - This is the most obvious route for any company to prove that they are committed to S&E. And we have experimented some of these in our company too and believe me, they have been an instant hit. Simple things like recyclying all the printed waste paper (which in many companies is susbtantial) into notebooks or scribble pads for people to use. Make these available in the companies stationary room. Next time, you want to buy your kids a scribble pad, buy it from the stationary room at discounted prices. I am sure you are going to love the feeling of writing on these scribble pads.

Secondly, you could also think about implementing the policy of printing on both sides as default. This is very simple and your IT dept can do it in a flick of a second, but surprisingly in many companies this is not the norm. We just did that in our company and thanks to all the help from our IT dept. We would soon be seeing substaintial results from these. Let me keep you posted on that pretty soon.

Reduce the paper cup usage. Its massive in any IT organization unless you have already done so. Every damn paper cup you use, you actually are increasing your carbon foot print substantially.

What about Computer Literacy Program : Multiple benefits for running a Computer Literacy program for the village nearby or the kids of an underprivileged school. Do that and give the IT professionals a chance to use their talent, education and skills to cause greater benefit. You would be amazed that not only is this difficult but challenging (the young IT professionals would for the first time realize that their is something more than just mere project deadlines! And they would realize how lucky they are at having got their education like a piece of cake!). It would not only give them a satisfactory feeling but also make them better human beings, more humble (teaching kids actually does that!), anger management and so on.

80:20 Rule: I have always loved the 80:20 concept at Google. GIving 20 % of the time on self inititated projects. A very very enterprising solution. No wonder, Google is today where it is. For many of the companies, why not try a 2 hour per week concept. Tell the employees that 2 hoursof the time, they have to make a difference to society. Your organization could give that platform or they could do it independently. It could be working on a a software aimed at teaching computers to kids, or anything. This kind of policy, though challenging would surely make your organization an esteemed one. You would be surprised that nowadays, people actually want to be a part of these kind of efforts.

I know many of these ideas are already in place and many of the software industries are actually doing it. And i am on the look out for more such ideas, ways to be