Connecting with Communities
Encouraging family and community interaction and participation are hallmarks of the ENMAX group of companies' community investment program.
In 2008, our companies invested more than $4.6 million to support a variety of programs, marketing initiatives, events and sponsorships that reflect our areas of focus: the environment, youth and safety.
ENMAX Corporation tracks the effectiveness of our community investment program using two key sets of criteria from two organizations – Imagine Canada and the London Benchmarking Group. These organizations have differing guidelines for reporting community investment expenditures.
ENMAX Corporation is committed to investing a
minimum of 1% of pre-tax profits, on a three-year rolling average basis, a benchmark recommended by Imagine Canada, in sponsorship, marketing and community investment activities that support non-profit and registered charities. In 2008, ENMAX's community investment of approximately $3 million (of a total $4.6 million budget) qualified under Imagine Canada's criteria and qualified ENMAX as an Imagine Caring Company.
According to the London Benchmarking Group (LBG) Model valuing our contribution to community programs, we can classify $1.8 million of our community involvement into three key "motivation" areas*: Social Investments, Philanthropic Investments and Commercial Initiatives. This amount includes cash and in-kind donations, staff time volunteered during work hours and related community investment program management costs.
*Philanthropic investments are defined as intermittent support for a variety of worthy causes in response to the needs of charitable and community organizations. Social investments are viewed as long-term strategic investments in community partnerships developed to address specific social issues of interest to a company. Commercial initiatives are defined as activities undertaken in partnership with community organizations to help support the success of a company, which are often initiated by commercial interests. For more information see LBG Canada's website at www.lbg-canada.ca.
Delivering Innovative Programs
ENMAX introduced a pilot program in 2008 called Gen ETM, which was created to equip teachers with the educational resources to bring energy conservation and emerging renewable energy technologies to life inside the classroom. The Gen E Program is delivered through an interactive website, which serves as an online community, and houses classroom resources, activity kits and discussion guides. Solar technologies and micro-wind turbines are also being installed at several schools, enhancing the hands-on experience for students during this pilot phase of the program.
ENMAX was also proud to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our Pond Hockey by ENMAX Energy program in 2008, by hosting events in Calgary, Crossfield, Red Deer, Strathcona, St. Albert and Edmonton. Our Pond Hockey program engages youth with local professional and junior hockey players in improving their skating skills while enjoying this healthy outdoor pursuit.