SF IABC hosts expert panel on corporate social responsibility February 20, 2008

Corporate Social Responsibility, known as "CSR," is a hot topic in the corporate sector; an increasing number of businesses are either integrating CSR practices into their strategies and operations or planning to do so. Communicators have a major role in helping organizations plan, implement, and report on their CSR work; this role will only grow larger in the future.

In this panel discussion, you'll learn what CSR is and why it is so important for all communications professionals to know about it. We've assembled a panel of experts to address the key aspects of CSR with specific attention to the role of communicators. Among the topics to be addressed are:

* What is CSR? What is "best practice?"
* As a communicator, what do you need to know about CSR?
* What is the role of communication in CSR?
* What are ethical issues in CSR?
* What should you advise those in the C-suite regarding CSR?
* What is the job market for communicators who are interested in focusing on CSR?
* What resources are available to learn more about CSR? (handouts will be provided)

Panelists include Ron Nahser, Ph.D., Provost of Presidio School of Management and creator of a values-driven business model known as Pragmatic Inquiry®, which has been used by Fortune 100 companies and top business schools around the country; Ellen Weinreb, MBA, CSR recruiting and consulting, providing advice to major corporations such as Levi Straus, Hewlett Packard, L.L. Bean and Nike on their development of CSR programs; Julie Freeman, MBA, ABC, APR, President of IABC, which is a member of the working group for ISO 26000, the International Standard providing guidelines for social responsibility (SR); and Carrie Varoquiers, Director of Community Relations, McKesson Corporation, offering an in-house perspective on CSR and CSR reporting.

The panel will be moderated by Paula Nesbitt, Ph.D., ABC, Principal of Nesbitt Consulting and a visiting associate professor in the Department of Sociology at UC Berkeley. Paula's work is focused in the area of business ethics.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE: The King George Hotel, 334 Mason Street, Lobby Level, San Francisco (BART Station: Powell Street)

TO RESERVE: Book online at www.acteva.com.

COST: Advance registration: $20 SF IABC members; $25 non-members; $15 students. At the door: $25 members; $30 non-members; $15 students.

Questions? Call Michaela Hayes at 510-653-0282 or Molly Walker at 510-428-9291.

Official Website: http://www.sfiabc.com