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| March 2012, Building PAR Verification CapacityCCAB is pleased to announce that four Aboriginal consultants are currently in training to review PAR reports at the Committed and Certified levels. The candidates were selected from a pool of applicants and come from across Canada: BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. The addition of four new PAR Verifiers is in response to increased company participation at the PAR Committed and Certified levels. The PAR Verification Training was developed with support from our sustainability consultants, Stratos Inc., with the goal of ensuring consistent and credible verification reviews for the PAR Jury’s consideration. As a foundation to the PAR Verification Training, the candidates took a course in the Global Reporting Initiative, and then over the weekend of March 3rd and 4th, they attended two full days of PAR training and completed a written test. After they successfully complete a job shadow with our current verifier, they will be ready to review PAR company reports at the Committed and Certified levels and be recognized by CCAB as qualified PAR verifiers. CCAB members can access to the PAR online by clicking here or by emailing: par@ccab.com October 2011, CAMA ConferenceAttending the CAMA Conference in November? Want to learn more about the benefits ofPARto your community or your company? Join CCAB and Stratos Inc., a sustainability consulting company for an hour long workshop, Raising the Bar in Aboriginal Relations, as part of the Meeting Minds, Making Mines CAMA 2011 Conference in Vancouver on November 7th and 8th. As a participant you will learn about recentPARprogram changes that make reporting more accessible; gain a greater appreciation for the benefits of the PAR program; engage in conversation with colleagues about the benefits that PAR certification can bring to you; and provide your insight on future program enhancements. The workshop will be held on November 8, 2011 between 10:45am and 1:45pm. For more information, contact Angela Bishop, Director Programs, at CCAB. To register, please consult your CAMA registration information. June 2011, Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Online Reporting Tool Now Open to CCAB MembersAfter a year of redevelopment, supported by our sustainability consultants, Stratos Inc., and our technology partner, IBM Canada Ltd., CCAB is pleased to announce that its membership now has exclusive access to the new Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) online reporting tool. PAR online increases program accessibility and ease of reporting, and offers two new ways for companies to take part. Your company can now take part at the Participant or Committed levels, facilitating your progressive improvement in Aboriginal relations and eventual PAR Certification. CCAB members can register for access to the program by clicking here or by emailing par@ccab.com. Non-CCAB members interested in participating in PAR can join CCAB by clicking here or by emailing memberrelations@ccab.com. Please Join us for a Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Webinar This webinar presentation is intended to introduce companies that have a focus on Aboriginal relations or the Aboriginal market to the redeveloped Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program. Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) is an online management and reporting program that supports progressive improvement in Aboriginal relations, and a certification program that confirms corporate performance at bronze, silver or gold level. If your company is a leader in Aboriginal relations, PAR certification recognizes your commitment and success. Certified companies promote their certification with a PAR logo, signalling to communities that they are good business partners, great places to work, and are committed to prosperity in Aboriginal communities. Angela Bishop, Director, Program Development will deliver a powerpoint presentation on the redeveloped PAR program, followed by a Q & A Participation in this webinar is free, but space is limited - please click the link to register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/392716122. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar When: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT Wednesday, August 17, 2011 System Requirements* Macintosh®-based attendees *Please note that company internet settings may prevent you from accessing GoToMeeting. February 2011, More Opportunities to Participate in PAR!CCAB is pleased to announce that upon the launch of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program online, as a member of CCAB, you will have three ways to participate in PAR and strengthen your Aboriginal relations programs and outcomes: PAR Participant: This level of participation is ideal for newcomers to CCAB and Aboriginal relations. When you complete the online PAR report, you will be able to generate a report on key performance indicators in the areas of employment, business development, community investment and community engagement that can help you track and improve your performance. Your report is protected by password so you can be assured of the highest level of confidentiality. No one, not even CCAB staff can see your report without your written permission. As long as you are a member of CCAB in good standing, the online reporting tool and this level of participation is available to you. Stakeholder recognition of your efforts is available through the other two levels of participation. PAR Committed: This level of participation is designed to support the progressive improvement of your company’s Aboriginal relations. The same level of confidentially is assured but you submit your report to a qualified verifier for high level feedback on your performance. At this level of participation, you can promote your commitment with a specially designed logo. At the end of three years, or sooner, you will be prepared to move to the highest level of PAR participation. PAR Certified: This level of participation offers your company the opportunity to provide the highest level of assurance to your all of your stakeholders, that you are a leader in Aboriginal relations. In addition to having your report reviewed by a qualified PAR verifier, your company opens its doors to a verifier’s onsite visit and your Aboriginal stakeholders are interviewed. A report is submitted to a PAR Jury and you are awarded PAR standing at the bronze, silver, or gold level. This level of PAR participation is the foundation of the PAR program, and over the past 10 years, company names that you recognize as leaders in Aboriginal relations have and continue to take part. Our goal is to increase corporate Canada’s participation at this level and through that, raise the bar in Aboriginal relations for all companies. The opportunity for your company to participate at the PAR Participant or PAR Committed level will be available in the spring of this year. Special thanks to IBM Canada for their in-kind support of this project. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of PAR to your company or if you are an Aboriginal business or community member and would like us to present about PAR benefits to community, please drop us an email at par@ccab.com. December 10, 2010, Recreating PAR: Major Changes Coming in 2011In early 2011, CCAB, with substantial in-kind support from IBM Canada Ltd., will introduce major changes to the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program. The changes will increase corporate participation and build the Canadian corporate sector’s capacity to work with the Aboriginal community. For over a decade, the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program has been providing a level of assurance for Aboriginal communities and businesses in their choice of partners from mainstream Canadian business. Each PAR participating company performs a self-assessment and then undergoes an external verification to demonstrate that the company works effectively with Aboriginal communities and is committed to their prosperity. Importantly, PAR has motivated improved performance, raising the bar for companies seeking recognition by the Aboriginal community. There has been a substantial change in the Aboriginal community in relation to assets managed and representation in the Canadian workforce; moreover, the Canadian legal environment has evolved to one in which Aboriginal communities must be properly consulted when a proposed project might affect Aboriginal or Treaty rights. With more companies wanting to do business with Aboriginal communities and attract an Aboriginal workforce, now, more than ever, there is a need for PAR. Consultation with PAR stakeholders and a review of the global corporate social responsibility (CSR) environment has uncovered opportunities to strengthen the PAR program to increase participation and strengthen the Canadian corporate sector’s Aboriginal relations capacity. Building on CCAB’s decade of experience, the renewed PAR program will introduce three key enhancements that will attract a critical mass of participation: Utilization of technology Introduction of participation without certification Alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) These changes will create a program that is more accessible and relevant in todays economic and corporate citizenship focused environment. They will increase the Canadian corporate sector’s capacity to ensure sustainable benefits for Aboriginal communities and enlarge the pool of potential partners, employers, and supporters for Aboriginal communities. CCAB’s collaboration with IBM and other partners will facilitate important connections and the Aboriginal community’s stewardship of their own prosperity. To learn more the changes and the increased opportunities for you to take part, call CCAB or send us an email at par@ccab.com. |
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