In the Community
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts
We are continuing to grow our business while turning our focus to the impact our operations have and the sustainability of our actions across Canada. We are accountable to our associates, guests and owners for the effect of our activities relating to the environment, our economic performance and our social systems. We are working towards being "green" hotel operators who create and sustain positive partnerships with the communities we are in.
Our current Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives include:
Code of Conduct
All associates are bound by a code of conduct, which along with our culture and values, drives all stakeholders to operate in a financially, environmentally and socially responsible way.
Responsible Governance
Our organization believes in being accountable for what we say we are going to do. As a result, we measure our ability to fulfill the framework we map out for our hotels, our overall operations and our individual associates. These goals are measured through the use of divisional scorecards, employee opinion surveys (3 times/year), internal audit processes, personal and team goals and company-wide governance reviews. We don't just roll out a policy and forget about it, we are committed to ensuring everyone is aware of their role in the organization and as a corporate citizen, and that we are enabling them to be successful at both.
Commitment to the Environment 
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the environment, embraced at each of our hotels. In 2002, we became the first hotel management company in Canada to have all its properties certified under the Green Leaf Eco-rating program, administered on behalf of the Hotel Association of Canada. In 2004, all of our properties were again certified in the Association's launch of a new program called the Green Key ECOmmodation Rating Program.
Environmental decisions are part of the corporate culture and are fundamental to the daily operation of each hotel, from the frontline to the boardroom. In 2008, we furthered our commitment by forming a number of Green Teams, which focus on everything from creating responsible vendor partnerships to how each of our hotels can increase our commitment within their local environment. For more information on our environmental commitment, please click here.
Providing a Diverse, Fair and Safe Environment for our Associates
We are committed the use of tools in our recruitment process and as well within our work teams that help to identify and promote our differences. We educate our leadership teams and associates on how to work together with different backgrounds and celebrate the learning available from those differences - whether it is generational, cultural, religious or otherwise.
Being Responsible Community Partners "Hotels with Heart"
The Friends in Need program is part of SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts "Hotels with Heart" initiative for giving back to its communities. Annually, the Friends in Need program is launched offering travellers discounted rates, with proceeds benefiting charities right across the country. The program was launched nationally in 2000 and runs at all hotels managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. Dozens of charitable and community organizations have benefited from over $1 million dollars raised!
Kindness Week 
While SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts associates are committed to going the extra mile each day, each year SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts sponsors "Kindness Week" in all of our hotels, across Canada. During this week associates focus on giving back to their community and each other. Kindness Week activities have included hosting fundraisers for disadvantaged youth, blood donor drives, building with Habitat for Humanity, working at local food banks, providing free coffee and muffins for the community, planting trees, and a number of additional lively activities!