August 8, 2005

by Stacy Williams, News@Cisco

In 2004, Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers issued a formidable challenge to the 37,000 employees at Cisco. It wasn't about meeting financial goals or increasing workplace productivity—it was about compassion and volunteering. Employees were chartered with expanding the culture of giving back to those less fortunate that has long been part of the Cisco corporate identity.

To commemorate Cisco's 20th anniversary, employees were asked to volunteer 20 years' time to non-profit and charitable organizations—totaling 175,200 hours. If they met the goal, Cisco would donate up to $3 million to community development. Remarkably, in less than seven months, employees exceeded the goal and volunteered more than 200,000 hours.

In recognition of this exceptional effort, the Points of Light Foundation named Cisco as one of six recipients of the 2005 Award for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs. Points of Light Foundation honored each company for its contributions and commitment to developing and managing effective employee volunteer programs.

"Cisco Systems is forging vital connections between its employees and the communities it serves through workplace-based volunteer programs," said Robert K. Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. "Cisco is a shining example of how the business industry is helping to strengthen the American tradition of neighbor-helping-neighbor."

Cisco has multi-faceted relationships that include significant volunteerism efforts with many organizations including Hands on Network, Habitat for Humanity, Community Voicemail and America's Second Harvest. Among the many social needs the volunteer program addresses is hunger. Cisco partners with more than 80 nonprofits globally to help alleviate hunger through its annual Harvest of Hope hunger relief campaign.

"Cisco is proud to be honored with this prestigious award for its employee volunteer programs," says Tae Yoo, Cisco vice president of corporate affairs. "Cisco employees should be extremely proud of their hard work, time and dedication to the community."

Cisco has established an impressive infrastructure for encouraging employee community service. The Cisco Employee Connection website includes an extensive section discussing the volunteer program and other corporate philanthropy initiatives. A Cisco Corporate Citizenship Council continually monitors corporate social responsibility programs and sends reports to employees, customers, investors and nonprofit partners. The Volunteer Connection tool, an online resource accessible to employees and nonprofits, matches employees' skills with nonprofits that need those competencies. A Lunch and Learn program allows employees to gain support for their favorite nonprofits by inviting coworkers to informative presentations.

Several programs are directly aimed at assisting nonprofits, but they also improve employee morale, retention and teamwork, technological expertise, and leadership skills. A Leadership Fellows Program enables high-potential senior level employees to work for a nonprofit fulltime for six months to a year, at no charge to the nonprofit.

A strong matching gifts program encourages employees to participate in volunteer projects. Through this program, the Cisco Systems Foundation supports employees' efforts by matching in cash the hours they've donated.

The volunteer involvement of senior executives is an inspiration to employees. John Chambers and other executives can often be found working alongside employees in volunteer projects, ranging from mentoring, cleaning up schools and parks, to building homes.

"From Sri Lanka to San Jose, Cisco employees help people in need through volunteerism, partnerships and advanced communications technology," says Yoo. "Through this powerful employee volunteer program, Cisco is living up to its corporate vision: to change the way people work, live, play and learn."

Stacy Williams is a freelance journalist located in Phippsburg, CO.