Sharyn for CSR 2010

It's a NEW DECADE time to "RESPECT" corporate money!!!

"NISSAN Let's use "charitable" money as a "tool" to earn respect in the community and become good "global" citizens that care about the communities we live in"...   Sharyn



???   Why do I want to be in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility?

Answer:             Many reasons, today I’ll share an important one.           

Every Corporate dollar that is given to a charity is one that that is not used toward product research or increasing the salaries of the employee’s.  I feel that the people responsible for charitable giving on behalf of a business (who's first priority is making profits for the shareholders)  needs to be “in tune” & respectful  to the charitable wishes of the employee’s and give the money to causes that directly impact the community that NISSAN operates and in some areas like Tennessee programs are needed  to  help the children of employees at NISSAN.   

Globally it’s important to acknowledge the differences in each community so a universal approach to is needed to promote the company in a way that is localized yet is part of the NISSAN  Global philosophy of assisting in education and the environment.

I believe in community partnerships and in volunterism that will help  inspire
the next generation in creating a better society.   

Bottom Line I want to make charitable giving more interactive and much more transparent.

$30,000  was given to Haiti which is Fantastic.

$500,000 was pledged to the Nashville Symphony “First Note” program. 

I’m not saying it’s a “bad” program but one, the problem is it does not directly impact the children of NISSAN employees that tend to live in Rutherford and Williamson Counties .

From my knowledge  I believe the money was  artfully  “seduced” to  “willing  selfish” executives who had little respect for the charitable dollar.  Yet enjoyed the VIP treatment and the great parties.   Sir,   ???  Maybe you still would have been invited to the fancy parties if you only gave 100K of corporate money.

 Nissan’s $500,000 contribution to the Nashville Symphony, distributed over the next five years, will provide support for the Symphony’s new education initiative called “One Note, One Neighborhood at a Time.” This program—using the Stratford school system in East Nashville as a flagship—will be presented on April 2, 2008 at the Dan Mills Elementary School.

~History~

Many years ago the former executive director of the Williamson County Child Advocay Center took me out to lunch.  We met when I attended their annual Legacy Ball.  I had won about a dozen silent auction items and while cutting my check she and I bonded over the need for community involvement that directly impacts a community.   

At lunch I heard about how some “charities” recruit corporate dollars in Nashville.  Using local celebrities to giving people VIP experiences.   The money goes to pay salaries and administration costs which include “lavish” recruitment tools.

My opinion is the charities in Middle Tennessee that promote volunteerism and truly do the work in the trenches are fighting for every charitable dollar to use for those in need, money they receive is cherished, appreciated,  and used “wisely”. 

Those at NISSAN in charge of charitable giving enjoyed the “good life” at the expense of the children of the “average” NISSAN employee.   Their behavior was “piggish”. 
I have many examples but I will NOT give them on this website. 

This symphony donation was extreme.   The sympony was not "stapped for cash" this money was earmarked for a new program one that does not benifit children of employee's.

I figured out that For JUST 10% of what was given to the symphony I could have put together an after school program that would have given foreign language classes to  800 NISSAN children in Williamson and Rutherford County, for a full year.

??? How      

By using the NISSAN Cafeterias from 5pm-6pm and hiring local language instructors from a private school. 

With another 10% Nissan could “assist” the High School that was mentioned in my rezoning battle as a poorer performing school.   This school I was told “reached out” to NISSAN on several occasions but was “dismissed”.    FYI~ Football is BIG in Tennessee and they needed help with updating the field. .  By partnering with the school across the street you could have instilled some NISSAN pride (you can see NISSAN North America from the bleachers). 

Imagine those teenagers seeing the largest employer help “them” maybe on game day people would nickname their stadium “NISSAN field”.  Also, those children are going be buying cars.  My “thought” Wouldn’t  have been nice to have formed a “relationship” with them?

Another 10% I would have used as a tool to recruit community involvement with NISSAN employees.

 Those charitable balls/events are expensive to attend.  NISSAN should send executives to these events.  I believe it’s important that they are attended and as many as possible attend to represent the company as active members of the community.

That said.   When purchasing tables of "10"  I would not give the other seats to “my friends” those seats at the lovely dinners/events would go to those NISSAN employees that have given their efforts to the community or the company as a reward. 

Part of that 10% would then be used to  encourage NISSAN employees to attend diverse charitable events in the community by using a 50/50 program. The company would pay ½ the cost to an event that “matters” to that employee. 

For example I met a lady who had breast cancer and going to events by the Susan Korman Foundation are important to her. 

This program would benefit the employee and NISSAN.  I think if you have someone representing NISSAN at a charitable event who really believes in the cause they are going to instill their appreciation for the company that helped pay their ticket.    All we would ask is that those participating wear a small gold pin on their blazer that says NISSAN.     

I learned that Nissan executives enjoyed the Crystal at the trough and bad decisions were made.

My goal is to change the image of NISSAN in the eyes of those in the community that have been disappointed in the past. 

Most important is giving the hard working employee’s a say in how some of the charitable giving is spent

By doing this it creates an environment of “trust” and “respect”.  People work harder when they feel appreciated. 

This change at NISSAN will be a WIN~WIN  J J

Have A Great Day!!!                     Sharyn

Love Cars~Love People~Love the Planet

02.25.2008 , Nashville, Tenn.

Nissan North America Announces Partnership With Nashville Symphony

Nashville, Tenn.- (February 25, 2008) Nissan North America and the Nashville Symphony announced today a five-year partnership, aimed at expanding music education for children of Middle Tennessee.

Nissan’s $500,000 contribution to the Nashville Symphony, distributed over the next five years, will provide support for the Symphony’s new education initiative called “One Note, One Neighborhood at a Time.” This program—using the Stratford school system in East Nashville as a flagship—will be presented on April 2, 2008 at the Dan Mills Elementary School.

“As part of Nissan’s commitment to enriching the lives of those in the community we serve, Nissan North America is proud to partner with the Nashville Symphony to provide a music education program in Middle Tennessee,” said Dominique Thormann, Senior Vice President, Administration & Finance. Research shows that music education has a positive influence on students’ academic performance, test scores, attendance and behavior.”

The Nashville Symphony’s music education offerings are part of a three-year strategic plan called “Music Education City.” Components include more than 100 ensemble performances in area schools; Gaylord Entertainment Foundation’s Young People’s Concerts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center; Ann & Monroe Carell Family Trust Pied Piper Series concerts; master classes and individual instruction; an interactive education Web site at www.nsokids.org; as well as continuing education for adults, children and teachers.

“Our partnership with Nissan North America will allow us to reach more people through our music education initiatives, further enhancing the quality of life for children and adults in our community,” said Alan D. Valentine, president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony. “We are grateful for Nissan’s generous contribution and look forward to a sustained partnership with this community-centric organization.”

As a symbol of this new partnership, Infiniti will be the official vehicle of the Nashville Symphony, and both an Infiniti EX and an M35X are on display in front of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Symphony Place. Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury division.