CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND POLICY
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13
– 06/12/09
Page x of x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
POLICY STATEMENT .......................................................................................... 3
2.
OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................... 3
3.
APPLICABILITY ................................................................................................. 3
4.
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE ............................................................... 3
5.
ASSOCIATE POLICIES ........................................................................................ 3
6.
RELATED LEGISLATION ..................................................................................... 4
7.
POLICY GUIDELINES ......................................................................................... 4
7.1
PRINCIPLES ........................................................................................................ 4
7.2
WHAT BUSINESS CONNEXION WILL SUPPORT? ....................................................... 4
7.3
WHAT BUSINESS CONNEXION WILL NOT SUPPORT? ................................................ 5
7.4
CONSIDERATIONS FOR EVALUATION ..................................................................... 5
7.5
PROCESS ........................................................................................................... 6
7.6
APPROVALS ........................................................................................................ 6
8.
POLICY AUTHORITIES ....................................................................................... 6
8.1
CSI FORUM ......................................................................................................... 6
8.2
THE DEPUTY CEO ................................................................................................ 7
8.3
THE CSI PROCESS OWNER ................................................................................... 7
8.4
REGIONAL/COMPETENCY CSI DESIGNATED COORDINATORS .................................... 7
9.
MONITORING AND REPORTING ......................................................................... 7
10.
EXAMPLES ......................................................................................................... 8
10.1
A: LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...................................................................... 8
10.2
B: LETTER OF REJECTION .................................................................................... 8
10.3
C: APPLICATION FORM ........................................................................................ 9
10.4
D: EVALUATION FORM ...................................................................................... 10
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
1.
POLICY STATEMENT
Business Connexion firmly believes in the role that the company has to play to contribute to
the well-being and upliftment of the society in which it conducts its business and to this end
the company wants to involve itself to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged and less
privileged communities by making a true contribution to upliftment and wellbeing where it is
most needed.
Corporate Social Investment (CSI), in its most fundamental form, is about being a responsible
corporate citizen and contributing to the reconstruction and development of the country.
Business Connexion supports CSI not as a ‘nice to do’, but as a business imperative. All CSI
initiatives and/or programmes should be aligned with the group’s core business goals and
objectives.
The group CSI programme should assist Business Connexion to build sustainable relationships
among communities, Government and business. The CSI programme proactively advances
designated groups, with special emphasis on previously disadvantaged communities.
2.
OBJECTIVES
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3.
To ensure full accountability and transparency regarding Business Connexion’s
investment in social development programmes.
To create positive perceptions about Business Connexion through carefully
selected projects.
To draw together disparate strands of corporate social investment strategies
across the entire organisation, in order to ensure that Business Connexion
extracts value from its corporate social investments.
To ensure that all CSI projects maximise the community benefit and complement
the group’s core business objectives.
To ensure compliance with the requirements of the ICT charter/Good codes of
practice.
APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all Business Connexion regions, competencies and business areas within
South Africa. Business entities outside SA should draft their own CSI policies for approval by
Business Connexion’s Audit and Policy EXCO.
4.
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE
Non compliance of this policy may result in wasteful/inappropriate expenditure and nonadherence to the requirements of the ICT Charter.
5.
ASSOCIATE POLICIES
This policy must be read in conjunction with the following documents:
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Preferential Procurement Policy.
Enterprise Development Policy.
Skills Development Policy.
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
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6.
Educational Assistance Policy.
Sponsorship Policy.
RELATED LEGISLATION
Content of this policy is guided by the requirements of the ICT Charter and the DTI’s Codes of
Good Practice.
These make provision for a two pronged contribution to CSI:
1. a mandatory contribution and participation in CSI related projects as identified
and managed by the ICT Charter Council and
2. a percentage of a company’s PBT to be invested at a company’s discretion, but
within the guidelines provided by the Charter, on CSI related projects.
This policy only pertains to the latter (2).
7.
POLICY GUIDELINES
7 .1
PRINCIPLES
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7 .2
Business Connexion supports a decentralized approach to CSI. This means that
CSI projects will be identified, managed and reported by respective regions and
competencies.
Each region and competency will identify a person who will be assigned
accountability for CSI (the CSI coordinator) and the role and responsibilities of
such a person will be confirmed in writing.
CSI budget will be provided centrally and regions/competencies will motivate for
funding from this budget. Such motivations will be considered by the CSI Forum
on a quarterly basis.
Regions and competencies will submit quarterly reports on the projects they have
supported, the value of the support and the benefits of the support.
Business Connexion will strive to invest in a few, carefully-selected, quality
projects every year.
All CSI initiatives and/or projects will be in the interest of the Business Connexion
Group and the beneficiaries.
Business Connexion will practice fairness and transparency in processing grant
applications – through accountability, openness and adequate disclosure.
All CSI projects will be monitored and evaluated regularly.
The group will explore partnering opportunities to maximise benefit to the
community and the group.
Business Connexion insists that beneficiaries provide the company with regular,
written feedback on the progress of the projects and the benefits attained by the
beneficiaries.
This requirement will be incorporated into the conditions for
providing financial support.
WHAT BUSINESS CONNEXION WILL SUPPORT?
As one of the leading ICT solutions providers in South Africa, Business Connexion is committed
to playing a meaningful role in bridging the digital divide in our country. To this end the group
intends to continue its focus on ICT related CSI programmes that lend assistance to all
South African communities, previously disadvantaged communities in particular.
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
To ensure continued concrete results and successful CSI outcomes, Business Connexion’s
strategy will be to invest a percentage of pre-tax profits every year in quality projects that
focus on three areas:
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7 .3
WHAT BUSINESS CONNEXION WILL NOT SUPPORT?
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7 .4
ICT Infrastructure Developments that involve donations of ICT equipment to
deserving communities and/or schools.
ICT Education and Training that incorporate bursaries, learnerships and special
training projects external to Business Connexion.
HIV/AIDS initiatives where Business Connexion can join communities,
government, business and civil society in the fight against this epidemic.
CSI projects that can be used for individual or party political gain.
Projects that have religious or cultural prejudice or bias.
Groups or organisations that cannot provide proof that they are a registered NPO,
welfare organisation or Section 21 company will not be considered.
Projects relating to Business Connexion employees and/or their family members.
Commercial or profit-making businesses, groups or organisations.
Organisations or groups with which Business Connexion is in business, or in the
process of obtaining business.
No aid will be provided in respect of foreign enterprises and organisations,
conferences, study tours, research, sports tours, debutantes, exchange student's
programmes.
Business Connexion will not fund building work, but will focus on supplying or
funding of educational materials for human development.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR EVALUATION
The following questions should be considered to determine the merits of a funding request and
to make a decision on whether to support the request:
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Does the project fall into one of the three the categories that Business Connexion
will support?
Does the project pass the ‘don’t support’ checklist? (above)
Is the project in line with the guidelines of the ICT Charter?
Will the project assist Business Connexion in achieving key business objective?
(List the business objectives which will be supported)
Will the project assist in building the Business Connexion brand by heightening
brand awareness?
Does the project allow Business Connexion to demonstrate its core business
offering, i.e. that the company is the leading ITC company in SA? (to do this,
Business Connexion must be the sole or main funder of the initiative)
Can the project owners be relied upon to deliver (do they have a sound track
record, do they have formal structures, can they provide regular, audited
feedback reports, are they able to measure the impact of our contribution, do
they have a good reputation)?
Are there any potential risks in associating with the project?
Does the project offer meaningful benefits relevant to Business Connexion’s needs
and allow for the creation of leveraging tactics?
Does the project have national appeal to allow for national and regional
activation?
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use

7 .5
PROCESS
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7 .6
Does the project address the implications of competitor activity so as to achieve
the required impact?
The CSI coordinator will acknowledge all requests for CSI support by means of a
letter to the requestor (see attachment A as example).
The CSI coordinator will perform an evaluation (see attachment D) to determine
whether or not to support the request and will load the request onto the Business
Connexion CSI Database (on the intranet).
The CSI coordinator will notify all unsuccessful applications of Business
Connexion’s inability to support their request by means of a letter (see
attachment B as example).
The CSI coordinator will prepare a motivation for funding in support of suitable
projects and submit these – with the approval of their respective BEXCO member
– to the CSI process owner.
Applications must be completed on the official Business Connexion application
form (see attachment C).
All requests will be evaluated according to the guidelines provided in this policy
and an evaluation sheet, together with a recommendation will be submitted to the
relevant decision maker (see attachment D as example).
All applications will be registered on the Business Connexion CSI Database –
indicating whether the application was successful or not.
CSI-related payments will be captured separately by financial departments so
that they may be audited.
Quarterly reports will be submitted to the CSI process owner.
APPROVALS
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Requests for financial support smaller than R50 000 may be authorised by the
CSI process owner – (currently deputy CEO) provided that it is accompanied by
an evaluation sheet and a recommendation supported by the relevant BEXCO
member.
Requests for support between R50 000 and R200 000 may be authorised by the
national CSI Forum provided that it is accompanied by an evaluation sheet, a
formal recommendation and a leverage plan.
Requests for support greater than R200 000 may be authorised by the Business
Connexion Executive Committee (EXCO) provided that it is accompanied by an
evaluation sheet, a formal recommendation and a leverage plan.
8.
POLICY AUTHORITIES
8 .1
CSI FORUM
The CSI Forum, comprising the CEO, Deputy CEO and Group Executives: Finance and Human
Resources is responsible for:
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approving major (greater than R200 000) CSI projects and
ensuring that management demonstrates commitment to the Group CSI.
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
8 .2
THE DEPUTY CEO
The deputy CEO is responsible for:
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8 .3
Processing and approving CSI proposals with the value ranging between R50 000
and R200 000 per application and
Recommending funding proposals with the value exceeding R200 000 per
proposal to the CSI Forum for approval.
THE CSI PROCESS OWNER
The CSI process owner is responsible for:
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8 .4
Formulating and implementing the group CSI strategy;
Making CSI budget provision;
Approving CSI funding proposals with a value less than R50 000;
Reporting CSI targets and actual investments to BEXCO;
Continuously ensuring the alignment of the group CSI policy/strategy with the
ICT Charter and other relevant legislation;
Chair the CSI Forum;
Monitor and evaluate CSI implementation and progress in the group and
Collate and provide CSI tender information.
REGIONAL/COMPETENCY CSI DESIGNATED COORDINATORS
The regional/competency CSI designated coordinators are responsible for:
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9.
Receiving, acknowledging and evaluating CSI requests;
Coordinating all regional/competency CSI initiatives and/or projects;
Ensuring that regional/competency CSI activities are in line with the group
strategy;
Ensuring that all CSI requests are registered on the CSI database and that
funding is captured and reported and
Keeping the CSI process owner, senior manager: internal communication
senior manager: external communication informed of all current and planned
projects.
CSI
any
and
CSI
MONITORING AND REPORTING
The Transformation Manager is accountable for monitoring CSI investment across Business
Connexion and for reporting to Business Connexion’s executive committee.
Regions and competencies are accountable for completing the CSI Database Register on a
monthly basis. The Transformation Manager will draw updated reports from this register and
provide a quarterly status report to EXCO and an annual report for the Business Connexion
annual report.
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
10.
EXAMPLES
10.1
A: LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Dear AN Other,
We hereby acknowledge receipt of your request for funding in support of the ABC Project.
Your proposal will be considered and we will inform you of our decision as soon as our CSI
committee has reached a decision.
10.2
B: LETTER OF REJECTION
Dear AN Other
Thank you for considering Business Connexion as a possible contributor to the ABC Project.
After careful consideration and evaluation, we regret to inform you that we are not able to
support the initiative.
Please note that the merits of your proposal have not had a bearing on our decision, but rather
incongruence with our CSI objectives and/or resource constraints.
May we wish you the best of luck with the project and your fund-raising initiatives.
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
10.3
C: APPLICATION FORM
APPLICANT DETAILS
Organisation’s name
Contact person
Designation
Department
Telephone
Facsimile
E-mail
Postal address
Physical address
Organisation’s registration number
BANK DETAILS
Name of account holder
Bank
Branch and code
Account number
Names: board of directors/trustees
PROJECT DETAILS
Project name
Where is it based – urban or rural
How long in existence
Who stands to benefit
Executive summary/description
Region
Province
Request details
Detailed description
Total project budget
Amount requested
OFFICIAL USE
Beneficiary
Approved/Rejected
Amount approved
Period of support
CSI register updated
Project manager
Date
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
10.4
D: EVALUATION FORM
Project name:
Amount requested:
Sufficient budget:
Complies with BCX criteria:
Infrastructure
Education
HIV/AIDS
Passes ‘don’t support’ checklist:
Contributes to BCX business goal (s)
list business goal (s):
In line with ICT Charter
Can the project owners be relied upon to
deliver?
Are there any risks associated with project?
Are BCX competitors involved?
Does not already receive BCX support/past
BCX support:
Corporate Social Investment Strategy and Policy
For Internal Use
Deputy CEO
Transformation
Policy
Owner: Chief Executive Officer
Version: 2
Date: 2007/02/15
Audit & Policy EXCO Approval Date: 2006/12/09
Audit & Policy EXCO Minutes Reference: A&P 13 –
06/12/09
Page x of x