WORKPLACE GIVING PROGRAM FOR TURTLE REHABILITATION

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1 29 ORDINARY MEETING 9 DECEMBER WORKPLACE GIVING PROGRAM FOR TURTLE REHABILITATION Dan Walton 8/24/18-01 # RECOMMENDATION: That Council endorse the establishment of a Reef Guardian Council Workplace Giving Program to support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, with Council s contribution capped at $5,000 per annum. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC) is a non-profit organisation, funded by donations, dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles. CTRC has a range of corporate sponsorship opportunities, with sponsor benefits including infrastructure branding, media promotion and naming of individual turtles. Through a Workplace Giving Program, Council employees would be able to make a tax deductable donation of $4 per fortnight, matched dollar for dollar from Council s Reef Guardian Program budget, capped at $5,000 per annum. The initiative would be delivered under The Reef Guardian Council Program and would be the first of its kind. Outcomes would include: Direct benefit to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef; Greater staff and community engagement on the Reef Guardian Council program; Stronger employee engagement and pride in their employer; and Stronger community pride in their local Council. BACKGROUND: Workplace Giving: Employees make small, regular donations to a nominated charity through their pay that is matched dollar for dollar by the employer. An Australian Charities Foundation study found that workplace giving is a highly valuable program as it builds employer and employee engagement by focussing on a shared goal. The same study found that only 5% of the 4100 employees surveyed were not interested in becoming workplace giving donors. Reef Guardian Council Program: Council has been a participant in the Reef Guardian Council Program since However staff and community engagement has been relatively low. Establishing a reef focussed Workplace Giving Program will create opportunities for greater staff and community engagement, whilst delivering a direct benefit to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef.

2 30 Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre: Established in 2000, the CTRC is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles. Its operations at Fitzroy Island and Portsmith are delivered with the assistance of over 210 volunteers and in-kind support from organisations including Qantas Link, Ports North, Marlin Coast Vet Hospital and James Cook University. The CTRC operational costs are met by donations from local businesses and the general public. These donations go directly towards the maintenance and feeding of sick and injured turtles. The CTRC has a rehabilitation success rate of 85%, one of the highest in Australia and two of its core volunteers have been awarded Pride of Australia medals in 2015 for their ongoing contribution to the natural environment. To facilitate much needed financial support for its operations, the CTRC has a corporate sponsorship program that consists of gold and platinum levels, detailed in Attachment 1. COMMENT: A Workplace Giving Program delivered under The Reef Guardian Council Program would the first of its kind. It would also provide much needed financial support for an organisation committed to the rehabilitation of iconic species of the Great Barrier Reef. Through a Workplace Giving Program, Council employees would make tax deductable donations of $4 per fortnight, matched dollar for dollar from Council s Reef Guardian Program budget, capped at $5,000 per annum. For example: 49 staff participating in the program would raise $5096 p.a. matched with a $5,000 donation from Council to achieve $10,000 platinum sponsorship. 25 staff participating in the program would raise $2,600 p.a. matched with a $2600 donation from Council to achieve $5,000 gold sponsorship. OPTIONS: Council has the following options; 1. That Council endorses the establishment of a Reef Guardian Council Workplace Giving Program to support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, with Council s contribution capped at $5,000 per annum; or 2. That Council does not endorse the establishment of a Reef Guardian Council Workplace Giving Program to support the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. CONSIDERATIONS: Risk Management: Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status for CTRC is via Great Barrier Reef Legacy Inc. in accordance with the Australian Department of Environment DGR Conduit Policy. Probity checks on CTRC and GBR Legacy have identified no financial or legal issues associated with either organisation or its office bearers.

3 31 Financial: Council s Planning and Environment Department has allocated $5,000 in the 2015/16 Reef Guardian Program budget for this initiative. Program take-up by Council employees would inform future budget allocation. Corporate and Operational Plans: Support and facilitate a range of community awareness activities and programs that promote conservation of the region s natural and built environment and which encourage sustainable living Establish and implement human resources strategies to become an employer of choice through promotion of a culture of unification, pride, satisfaction and wellbeing amongst its workforce. Statutory: Nil. Policy: Corporate Sustainability Policy Sustainability: Environment: this project will contribute to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef through the rehabilitation of iconic, keystone species. Community: this project will contribute toward a positive staff culture within the organisation and provide community leadership by demonstrating corporate social responsibility. Economy: this project will contribute toward Cairns reputation as an eco-tourism destination. CONSULTATION: Executive Team Finance Human Resources Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Great Barrier Reef Legacy

4 32 ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Corporate Sponsorship Overview DM# Dan Walton Sustainability Officer Peter Boyd Manager Strategic Planning and Approvals Kelly Reaston General Manager Planning and Environment

5 33 Attachment 1: Sponsorship Information

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