Overview
The Bank takes its corporate social responsibility (CSR) seriously. Investing in the community is a vital part of CSR and we support HSBC's worldwide practice of giving back to the community through local efforts that promote education, safeguard the environment and support important local community projects. We invest in our community not only through charitable donations but also through our employees' volunteer time.
The Bank provides each Bank of Bermuda staff member a half day off from work per calendar year to volunteer their time for community projects.
Projects selected for 2008
Seniors
The Bank will partner with The Bermuda Housing Trust, a local organisation that provides affordable housing for seniors. Volunteers will paint the The Elizabeth Hills complex, located in Pembroke Parish. The complex consists of 22 one bedroom and studio units housing seniors.
Environment
Once again, the Bermuda National Trust and The Audubon Society need our help in conducting valuable environmental field work. Between the two organizations there are over 300 acres of open space that are in desperate need of conservation management. Volunteers will be asked to eradicate alien invasive species, plant nurturing and endemic species and help beautify these open spaces.
Education
In 2007, world renowned educator Professor David Hopkins spearheaded a comprehensive report on Bermuda’s public school education system. Based on the results of the report, recommendations were made by Professor Hopkins and a team of educators to help improve the quality of the public school system. One of the recommendations was to improve teaching and learning. With assessment being an integral part of teaching and learning, the Bermuda Criteria-Referenced Test, a curriculum based test will be piloted in all public schools this school year. This test will assess the delivery of the local public school curriculum and provide a foundation on which to build future success. This test will be taken initially in 2008, and again in 2009, with results and solutions published in the summer of 2009. Observer volunteers are required for the Bermuda Criteria - Referenced Testing for all students attending public primary, middle and senior schools. Bank of Bermuda will partner with the Ministry of Education on this most important undertaking.
