OUTREACH AWARD & AWARD OF EXCELLENCE / Community Outreach & In-House Initiatives Golder Associates Charitable Initiatives

Golder Associates’ purpose, “Engineering Earth’s Development, Preserving Earth’s Integrity,” reflects a commitment to sustainable development. Sustainable development is commonly defined as “… development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

To uphold these values, Golder continually strives to make positive contributions to local communities and national and international non-governmental organizations. The company is dedicated to promoting the empowerment, knowledge, growth and development of its employees, providing staff opportunities for taking time off from work to volunteer in the communities in which they live, work and play. Each of the 180 Golder offices across 25 countries has a guideline of returning approximately 1% of their budgeted operating income to the community.

Building a culture of engagement across 180 offices across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America has required coordinated effort at a local and global level.

Golder routinely coordinates efforts to financially support aid efforts when humanitarian crises arise, such as raising $111,2000 in 2011 for Japan’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and following tsunami. Below, however, are some of the company’s special long-term initiatives.

Golder Trust for Orphans

Golder’s employees formed the Golder Trust for Orphans in 2003 to support children and families in Africa who have been orphaned or displaced by the AIDS pandemic. The Trust, which is funded mainly by contributions from Golder employees and Golder’s operating companies, supports organizations of all religions and ethnic groups and directs most of its funding towards development projects that help organizations fund their own activities in a sustainable way. As Golder covers all administrative costs, 100% of donations go to the projects. To date the Trust has supported 11 projects in five countries in Africa, helping to improve the lives of over 1,500 children. Since 2003, over $2 million USD has been donated to the Trust and passed on to its projects.

Row for Kids

The Row for Kids is an annual event held in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and youth rowing programs at the Edmonton Rowing Club. Golder first became involved in 2008, but that experience led to the company eventually taking over as Chair in 2012. Last year Golder provided over 20 volunteers to run the event, plus raised $25,600 as part of a total fundraising effort of almost $133,000. Golder’s participation has served as a team builder for the Edmonton offices.

Golder Associates’ Sustainability Awards

Golder Associates’ sustainability awards provide an opportunity to celebrate how its own offices and people are applying sustainable development principles to their office environments and communities.

Each entry is evaluated based on the criteria of social/community, environmental, and economic benefit; staff engagement; client/stakeholder engagement; technical excellence; innovation or improvement over existing approaches; and value to Golder and the client or stakeholder.

For example, one winner in 2012 was Golder’s Pretoria, South Africa office. Along with friends and family, the staff spent a “Fun with Nature” day at a children’s home teaching value and conservation of the environment through fun activities. Another winner was the Edmonton office for its “Green Initiatives” such as recycling the sample wastes from its geotechnical laboratory.

Golder believes that corporations, more than any other organizations, have the power and influence over human resources, and have the means and responsibility to promote the growth and development of all levels of society. The principals and associates of Golder are expected to champion the culture of caring, but the core values were developed in a broad-based consultation involving staff at all levels. The culture of 100% employee ownership provides the company with a strong platform from which to apply its core principles.cce

Project name: Golder Associates

Charitable Initiatives

Award-winning firm: Golder

Associates. Calgary