Superfriends

By Adam Valvasori - Values Man

I just had a really great couple of Body Shop days. Where I felt like my Superfriends plan finally came together.

Our store managers have been here for their national conference and we had some great opportunities to celebrate all our values activities with them.

Day one: we talked about our Community Projects scheme. Which by the way we completed 5,957 volunteer hours in 2007/08 (about 98% of the total possible). We also invited managers who had been on one of our international volunteer programs to share their experiences. This included the Children on the Edge Playscheme in East Timor and the Inspiration Schemes in Solomon Islands and Fiji run in partnership with the UNDP.

We also surprised everyone with a motivational speech by special guest star, Angela Barker, a young survivor of domestic violence. Angela's story is featured on the Governement's 'Violence Against Women; Australia Says No!' campaign DVD. Angela was also part of the panel of experts that helped us allocate over $120,000 in small grants to grass-roots Domestic Violence organisations. Angela is such a hero to us, an inspiring young woman and activist who overcomes so many hurdles... and never gives up.

Day two: I actually wrote a speech (very rare for me) to give to the managers about all we had achieved in values this year. The most exciting part of this was that all four of our Values Partners (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Australian Conservation Foundation, World Society for the Protection of Animals and Amnesty International) had travelled all the way to Mulgrave (some from Sydney) to present on their past or upcoming campaign with us.

Everyone seemed really excited about learning more first-hand from these organisations. They shared their vision, campaigns and enthusiasm about working with The Body Shop. We are also privileged to be working with these NGOs... it's a mark of trust they have in our company and our shared values... this from Amnesty:

Thank you so much for the opportunity yesterday. You have such a great and inspiring corp of staff that gives us confidence in our defence of human rights.

As mentioned, Amnesty International does not accept corporate donations, except in exceptional circumstances like with The Body Shop, or engage in cause related marketing or sponsorship so that we may maintain our independence, impartiality and neutrality. We are delighted that we can partner with The Body Shop who shares our values.

Please pass on our appreciation to your staff who are our partners in freedom.

- Mohamed Duar - National Donor Liaison Manager - Amnesty International

Afterwards, we had a drink together in the city and it was amazing how well everyone got on. I watched a lot of cartoons as a kids... one of my favourites was Superfriends where all the heros team up together. This felt like a real life - Superfriends.

It's interesting how well our Values Partners' diverse goals of animal welfare, human rights and the environment compliment each other. I guess we all just want to be better humans and improve the way we treat each other and every living thing on the planet. Of course their goals and The Body Shop's core values fit like a glove too.

Its really personally and professionally satisfying to have brought these NGOs together and had this great opportunity to work together and help their important social and environmental campaigns through The Body Shop.

The great news is we've got the green light to do it all again in 2009! Yay!