New Orleans, June 6, 2011 — Points of Light Institute today announced that Cliff Burrows, president of Starbucks Coffee U.S., has been named chairman of its Corporate Service Council (CSC), which leads and inspires the business community to increase civic impact through innovation, sharing of best practices and the application of human capital and financial resources for the greater good.
Points of Light Institute’s CSC is comprised of more than 40 CEOs and civic leaders representing the nation’s largest and most successful Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company, IBM, Kraft Foods, Target and Toyota.
“Cliff is known for his demonstrated track record of strong leadership and a commitment to Starbucks mission, which includes a strong commitment to help create thriving neighborhoods wherever it does business. Cliff has been a driving force behind these efforts and has a deep passion for supporting community service and engagement throughout Starbucks,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute. “We welcome his fresh thinking, energy and unique insight he will bring to the group.”
Burrows will begin his term in January 2012. He takes over for John Rice, vice chairman of GE. Rice provided tremendous leadership and support for CSC for the last two years, advancing corporate engagement through the publication of standards and skill-based volunteering and return-on-investment studies, and partnerships across member companies and with organizations such as the Brookings Institute.
Estimates show that more than five million employees volunteer through their companies annually in the United States, investing more than $100 million in volunteer labor into local communities.
“Engaging people to participate in meaningful service is a positive force to drive positive change in our communities,” said Burrows. “Companies have a responsibility to address these critical issues. The Corporate Service Council provides an opportunity to bring the influence and business acumen of corporations to the public sector. Working together we’re better equipped to answer the call to action around issues of importance to the neighborhoods in which we do business.”
Corporate partnerships are vital to Points of Light Institute’s mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. By leveraging the power of their employees, members of the CSC are able to deliver high-impact service and volunteer leadership that is resulting in stronger neighborhoods, schools and nonprofits around the country.
Also announced was the release of Trends of Excellence in Employee Volunteering, the first in a series of reports compiled by the HandsOn Network business member program, which analyzes employee volunteer programs (EVP) to identify the practices associated with excellence.
The report focuses on the basic infrastructure and company support in excellent EVPs. The research found that EVPs can be housed anywhere within a company that it is most productive. To be successful, companies should consider investing at least $179 per employee in its EVP and employ a team of at least one full-time staff person for every 28,000 employees.
The report is based on information from the 2010 Points of Light Institute Corporate Engagement Awards of Excellence finalist companies. Subsequent reports will address other aspects of excellent EVPs, including strategies, policies and activities.
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About Points of Light Institute
Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. The Institute has a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. We are organized to innovate, incubate and activate new ideas that help people act upon their power to make a difference. Points of Light Institute operates three divisions that share our mission: HandsOn Network, generationOn and AmeriCorps Alums. For more information, visit www.PointsofLight.org.
We put people at the center of change.