Envision’s roots are in a co-operative system built on the concept of neighbour helping neighbour. We have always recognized the value of a strong commitment to social responsibility. So our vision extends beyond our financial viability to encompass healthy communities and stable economies.

I am pleased to report that Envision took significant steps in 2003 to realize its goal of being a caring, progressive company. The year saw us undertake several important initiatives.

Putting best practices to work

To attain our social responsibility objectives, it is imperative that our programs reflect our values, are effective and meet the highest standards. During 2003, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of our programs to ensure that we abide by our principles.

We also worked to align various programs that were originally launched by First Heritage Savings and Delta credit unions. The objectives of those programs were similar, but their approaches and priorities differed.

The assessment was done by Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, a non-profit membership network of innovative companies working to improve their social, environmental and financial performance. It is Canada’s leading voice for corporate social responsibility.

The strengths and weaknesses of our programs were evaluated in the areas of community, employee, customer, supplier, environment and shareholder guidelines. Several key themes emerged.

Envision was found to have many excellent, progressive programs and far exceeded minimum requirements overall. However, to make sure that we abide by what it is we say that we are, we need to create lasting policy guidelines.

Our goals for 2004 are twofold. We want to establish long-term policy guidelines for existing social responsibility programs and initiate new guidelines in areas where we need to be stronger, particularly in environmental issues and in dealing with suppliers.

Helping to build healthy communities

During 2003, the Envision Credit Union Charitable Foundation continued to make a positive difference in the lives of BC’s foster children. The foundation spearheaded the Envision House Project, an initiative that will add at least one new home to the SOS Children’s Village.

The SOS Village concept provides children in need with a caring, loving and lifetime secure family environment where basic needs for food, health, shelter and education are met. Each SOS home houses up to four foster children and includes a basement resource centre.

Our approach to working with charities and non-profit organizations is collaborative in nature. We need to make sure that communities automatically look to Envision for support when there is a need for funding or for human resources or both. To help us achieve this objective, we encourage our staff to become actively involved in community organizations and to act as our ambassadors to the communities we serve.

In November 2003, Envision was nominated for an Ethics in Action Award for its leadership in community care. Although we did not receive the award, our nomination was testimony to the valuable work that Envision and its employees did throughout the year.

At Envision, we believe that helping to build healthy communities translates into a healthy organization, in every respect.

Peter Podovinikoff
President