Cisco's employee volunteer programs won the California Business Volunteer Program of the Year award from the governor in 2009. The programs generated over $400,000 in matching gifts, 76,000 hours of service, and $2.2 million in product grants. The author wrote the winning application by demonstrating how the programs aligned with Cisco's business goals and improved employee skills, retention, and recruitment. They also led external communications about the programs to investors, customers, and prospective employees. Additionally, the author helped exceed fundraising goals for a global hunger relief campaign by 20% through communications materials that increased employee participation in giving.

1. Award-Winning
Community Programs
Accepting Governor and First Lady’s Medals for Service for the
California Business Volunteer Program of the Year from then Calif.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.

2. Corporate Volunteerism:
“Shared Value” at Work
 State of California recognized Cisco for volunteer
programs in 2009, netting $400K+ in matching
gifts, 76K hours of service, $2.2M in product grants
 I wrote the winning application - demonstrated
alignment of volunteer programs with the business.
Specifically, I noted that service improves
employee leadership skills, enhances retention and
recruitment, improves business relationships.
 Influenced employee volunteers to participate
through compelling and targeted messaging
 Also, I led external communications to investors,
customers, and prospective employees

3. “Volunteering on Steroids”
Karen Baker, California Chief Service
Officer, talks about Cisco’s employee
volunteer program. See related blog.

4. Encouraging a “Hunger” for Giving
 Led communications that helped exceed
fundraising goals by 20%, annual Global
Hunger Relief matching gifts Campaign
 Produced executive blog and videos about
hungry people
 Created internal website, weekly global
email templates, executive video scripts