• TELUS Community Annual Report

    We give where we live.

We give where we live.

This simple philosophy guides every aspect of TELUS' community investment strategy, from our locally focused TELUS Community Boards, to our national and regional partnerships, to our team member and customer engagement programs. With this national Community Investment Annual Report, we bring together highlights from each part of our corporate giving program, and are pleased to celebrate some of the many charities we had the privilege to support in 2010.

At TELUS, we believe in our hearts and minds that to do well in business, we must do ‘good' in the communities where we live, work and serve. We seek out opportunities to create stronger communities by funding initiatives that support arts and culture, sports, and health and well-being in the environment, with a particular emphasis on youth and technology. The TELUS team - including our current employees, retirees and their family and friends – is deeply committed to building a community investment legacy driven by innovation and a genuine passion for making a positive difference. Since 2000, we have collectively contributed $245 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.1 million hours of service to local communities.

In 2010, TELUS was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the most philanthropic company in the world. We are honoured to be the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international award. TELUS is also proud to be an Imagine Canada Caring Company, dedicated to driving social innovation and investing money, ideas and time in communities across the country.

Bringing a community investment strategy like ours to life takes the dedication and support of many dedicated hands. None are more important than those of our customers, who make this program possible each time they choose TELUS.

Through 2011 and beyond, we look forward to continuing to care for our communities as an essential element of our brand promise: the future is friendly®.

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The future is friendly ®

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Jill Schnarr

Vice President

Community Investment & Engagement

 

National Partnerships

At TELUS, we're strong believers in making a difference for our local communities. At the same time, we care about issues that touch all Canadians. Protection of our health, our environment and our children top the list of challenges that bring us together and create opportunities to unite Canadians in making a positive difference that help build bright, healthy futures for us all.

TELUS is proud to partner with leading national charities that are committed to addressing issues that face Canadians from coast-to-coast. In the following pages, we have highlighted some of TELUS' key national community support initiatives from 2010.

Team TELUS Cares

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We all have the power to make a positive difference, which is why a core part of TELUS' community investment program has supported volunteer and donation opportunities for our team members since 2000. Team TELUS Cares motivates and mobilizes team members, retirees and their families through three programs: Team TELUS Charitable Giving, Dollars for Doers and TELUS Day of Giving. In 2010, more than 33 per cent of the TELUS team participated in these programs, contributing $8.1 million and more than 557,000 volunteer hours to charitable and not-for-profit organizations across Canada.

Team TELUS Charitable Giving

Making a donation directly to a charitable organization is one of the most effective ways to give back to our communities. Through the Team TELUS Charitable Giving program, team members, Community Ambassadors and retirees, board members and TELUS service dealers can make charitable donations to registered charities of their choice and TELUS will match those donations dollar-for-dollar.

In 2010, TELUS double-matched team members` pledges made to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Women's Hospitals across Canada, tripling donations to those organizations. Throughout the year, Team TELUS Cares donated $7.2 million to support more than 2,800 charities across Canada:

  • $2.2 million from team members
  • $1.3 million from retirees, board members and TELUS dealers
  • $3.7 million match from TELUS

Since 2000, TELUS has contributed $49.8 million to thousands of community organizations across Canada thanks to the Team TELUS Charitable Giving program.

The most philanthropic company in the world.

In 2010, TELUS was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the most philanthropic company in the world. TELUS is also proud to be an Imagine Canada Caring Company, dedicated to driving social innovation and investing money, ideas and time in communities across the country.

 
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TELUS Day of Giving Dollars for Doers TELUS Community Ambassadors
TELUS Day of Giving

TELUS Day of Giving

In 2006, TELUS created a unique volunteer program called TELUS Day of Service (now called TELUS Day of Giving). It brings together team members nationwide on a special day each year to donate their time in support of local charities. Participation continues to grow, with 22 per cent of team members participating in 2010, up 9.8 per cent from 2009.

On May 28, 2010, 10,400 people volunteered their time during TELUS Day of Giving through 175 activities with more than 200 non-profit organizations that took place across 32 regions. Our work towards growing healthy and green communities resulted in:

  • 518 bags of waste collected from river valleys, parks, and fields
  • 15,954 meals prepared or served to the homeless and those in need
  • 135,530 pounds of food sorted at food banks
  • 2,597 trees and plants planted in parks and gardens
  • 7,860 Kits for Kids assembled to provide school supplies to students in under privileged areas
  • 102,600 millilitres of blood donated for Canadian Blood Services
  • 139,564 breast cancer ribbons tied for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

Since its inception in 2006, TELUS Day of Giving has mobilized 41,500 team members, Community Ambassadors and retirees, family and friends to volunteer at 950 community activities organized by TELUS.

Learn more
Dollars for Doers

Dollars for Doers

Our Dollars for Doers program supports team members' personal volunteer commitments by making a $200 donation to a registered charity of choice for individuals who record a minimum of 50 volunteer hours a year. Groups of four or more TELUS team members who record a minimum of 200 volunteer hours in a year can direct a $1,000 grant, and retirees that volunteer more than 200 hours can direct a $500 grant, to a charity of their choice.

In total, the TELUS team has donated $850,800 through Dollars for Doers in 2010. Since 2000, team members and alumni have volunteered 3.7 million hours in communities across Canada.

Learn more
TELUS Community Ambassadors

TELUS Community Ambassadors

The TELUS Community Ambassadors are retirees and team members who share a passion for volunteerism. In 2010, more than 2,300 Community Ambassadors participated through 20 local clubs: 11 in British Columbia, two in Alberta, five in Ontario and two in Quebec. This level of participation increased our membership by 400. We surpassed our goal and donated 60,809 care items valued at more than $900,000 to those in need, including:

  • 9,832 comfort kits (personal hygiene items for the homeless and displaced families)
  • 8,575 Kits for Kids (backpacks filled with school supplies for less fortunate children)
  • 3,437 heart and lung pillows (for patients after surgery)
  • More than 38,965 other items such as preemie toques, lap blankets and finger puppets.
Learn more

Community Boards

At TELUS, we're committed to thinking nationally and acting locally. We understand that the most meaningful differences can be made by small, grassroots organizations focused on addressed a keen local need. To make corporate support available to these charities, in 2005, under the leadership of Darren Entwistle, we developed our innovative Community Board model. TELUS Community Boards put the power of funding decisions in the hands of local leaders who know their communities best. We now have 10 TELUS Community Boards, located in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Rimouski, Quebec City and Atlantic Canada.

Since their inception, TELUS Community Boards have contributed $25.1 million to 1,800 community projects. In 2010, they donated $4.1 million in support of 337 initiatives across Canada.

International Programs

While our community investment philosophy keeps the vast majority of our charitable efforts closer to our own backyards, TELUS also supports the communities that are home to our international call centre operations. We continue to seek meaningful ways to engage TELUS Team members abroad. TELUS Day of Giving has expanded globally, with events now taking place in the Philippines, Central America and the United Kingdom.

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Philippines

More than 1,200 members of the TELUS team took part in the Philippines 2010 TELUS International Day of Giving, participating in community projects to build houses for the homeless, plant trees and host activities for underprivileged children.

As part of TELUS International Day of Giving, two simultaneous events were held with Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organization dedicated to the elimination of homelessness and hunger. Volunteers painted and constructed homes, conducted medical missions, led clean-up drives, gave lectures on healthy living and held livelihood sessions. Over the years, TELUS has significantly contributed to GK's cause, building 71 homes and a three-story, multi-purpose hall. In 2010, more than 1,000 team members and volunteers donated 6,270 hours in addition to the TELUS Day of Giving. Building on this success, TELUS has committed to helping build another 70 homes for families in need.

Central America

For the second year, TELUS International Day of Giving events took place at TELUS International locations in El Salvador and Guatemala. With a focus on youth and education, TELUS team members built, refurbished and improved schools for underprivileged children, resulting in 10,000 volunteer hours contributed by 3,000 volunteers that are helping more than 4,000 children.

The sustained efforts by our Central America operations received the Community Hero Award in 2009 from the United Way for the largest volunteer activity, a recognition that was repeated in 2010 along with the Heroes of Employee Fund Participation for achieving the largest employee contribution of any company in Guatemala. Guillermo Montano, president, TELUS International Central America, was honoured as a Golden Hero for his personal commitment in leading our corporate social responsibility movement in Guatemala. The Mayor of Xela, Guatemala also recognized TELUS International executives as Distinguished Citizens.

United Kingdom

Our first TELUS International Day of Giving event in London, England was held in June 2010 with 10 team members and volunteers who cleaned up and gardened at the Kingswood Nursery and Infant Centre.

Disaster Relief

Wherever natural disaster strikes, TELUS is committed to swiftly stepping forward to help those affected. Throughout 2010, we funded projects to support relief efforts around the globe and keep people connected during emergency situations.

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Haiti

Following the devastating January earthquake, TELUS provided more than $450,000 in cash and in-kind donations including 1,500 mobile phones to emergency agencies. We also partnered with World Vision on its national broadcast telethon for Haiti by providing call centre facilities and more than 200 volunteers in Toronto and Montreal.

Chile

After an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in February, TELUS activated a text-to-donate campaign that generated donations to help provide child protection and water purification assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Pakistan

Following devastating floods that impacted more than 20 million people in July, TELUS enabled our mobile subscribers to text donations to the Canadian Red Cross. TELUS team members also raised more than $18,000 through various fundraising events which TELUS matched.

Newfoundland

Disaster struck closer to home in September when Hurricane Igor struck Newfoundland, destroying homes and public infrastructure. The TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board offered $25,000 to support the relief efforts and TELUS matched those funds with another $25,000 donation to the Salvation Army. TELUS also launched a text-to-donate campaign, which raised $1,800 for the Salvation Army, and matched internal fundraising to provide another $1,450.

New Brunswick

2010 ended with heavy rain and flash floods for residents in Fredericton, New Brunswick. TELUS donated $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross because "we saw there was a need in the community and we wanted to lend our support," said Megan Fielding, TELUS spokeswoman. "We have TELUS team members across the Atlantic Canada region, so this is really hitting home for the people that live and work in the region. We wanted to do our part to help out and our donation to the Canadian Red Cross will hopefully go a long way in helping the families and damages caused in the region

Cause Marketing

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At TELUS, we believe in our hearts and minds that in order to do well in business, we must do ‘good' in the communities where we live, work and serve. In this new era of socially responsible consumerism, customers look to do business with organizations that are contributing to the greater good of society. Through our cause marketing initiatives, we continue to advance our community investment strategy by offering our customers and potential customers, product and service options that result in a direct benefit to local charities right in their own backyards.

Our innovative cause marketing efforts further enhance our customer relationships by making a real and tangible difference for causes that are close to our customers' hearts. Even throughout our largest national campaigns, donations are always distributed on a regional basis to ensure a significant local impact is made. We understand there is a symbiotic relationship between the success of our company and the health of our communities, making our efforts to live up to our brand promise – the future is friendly – essential in all that we do.

  • Community TELUS TV Campaign: since July 2009, $3.87M was donated to 22 local community projects across BC, AB and QC.
  • Operation Enfant Soleil Smartphone or internet key Campaign: $140,000 was raised for Operation Enfant Soleil between April and June 2010.
  • E.Bill Campaign: more than 600,000 TELUS customers switched to an ebill resulting in a $650,000 donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
  • TELUS Return and Recycle program: more than 130,000 phones were collected in 2010 and for each device, TELUS gave $3 to Tree Canada bring our total contribution to Tree Canada to $1,145,314.
  • CFL – Kidsport Campaign: to celebrate Grey Cup 2010, TELUS pledged $1 to KidSport Canada for every download of the free TELUS –CFL mobile app resulting in $20,937 donated to KidSport.
  • Fringe Festival TELUS TV Campaign: $18,600 was donated to Edmonton's Fringe Theatre Adventures for every new TELUS TV customer in Edmonton for the duration of the Festival.
  • Vancouver Pride TELUS TV Campaign: $50,000 was donated to the Vancouver Pride Society as a result of new TELUS TV customers in the Lower Mainland during the Pride campaign.
  • Like to Give Campaign: the holiday season social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter resulted in $60,000 donated in total as each partner received 5000 “likes from its fans. The 12 charity partners each received $5,000: H.E.R.O.S., Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, JDRF, Computers for schools, Free the Children, Go Pink, Tree Canada, NCC, Hockey Canada, Operation Enfant Soleil, Kids Health Links, Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

Affiliations

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Corporate Citizenship Commitment

As a proud member of Imagine Canada, we are committed to this organization's new guidelines which include giving back a minimum 1% of our pre-tax profit to the community, following ethical and environmental business practices, and engaging employee volunteers in the community. We are also corporate members of London Benchmarking Group Canada (LBG) and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR).

TELUS is a member of LBG Canada, part of a recognized global standard built upon more than 15 years of experience and used by more than 250 companies around the world. The London Benchmarking Group (LBG) Model was launched in Britain in 1993 and is used internationally from 10 national hubs including Britain, Australia/New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Romania, Hong Kong/Singapore, the United States and Canada which is a testament to their commitment to good governance. By upholding the LBG Canada globally recognized standard valuation principles for each of the investments described in this report, TELUS and its stakeholders have assurance that every dollar reported as community investment can be linked to achieving community benefit.

Founded in 1995, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) is a non-profit, member-led organization that mobilizes Canadian companies to make powerful business decisions that improve performance and contribute to a better world. The globally recognized source for corporate social responsibility in Canada, CBSR is the Canadian representative in a world-wide network committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Imagine Canada is a national registered charity that advocates for Canada's charities and nonprofit organizations and is Canada's leading corporate citizenship initiative. Caring Company membership assures customers, employees, shareholders and the public that a business is committed to investing in communities. This commitment is a key element in strengthening the nonprofit and charitable sector.