Mandate
The Centre's mission is to serve the business community by advancing spirituality and ethics in the workplace, drawing on the shared values and multicultural and ethnic diversity of Greater Vancouver.
The Centre promotes the benefits of individual spiritual well-being; supports the study and practice of business ethics; organizes programs and events, which advance the understanding of spiritual values and ethical standards; and forms alliances with other organizations concerned with spirituality and ethics.
The Centre values spiritual wholeness, cultural diversity, ethical business practices, collective wisdom of communities of faith, inclusiveness, respect for individual dignity and environmental sensitivity.
Meetings
Ethics for Breakfast is an opportunity for business people to discuss ethical dilemmas in the workplace. The group meets from 7:15-8:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the BC Hydro Building, 333 Dunsmuir St. (Most meetings are in the second floor auditorium. Please check in advance for location.)
The Spirit at Work Luncheon series takes place on the third Thursday of the month from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the ground floor conference rooms of the Terasen Building, 1111 West Georgia St.
Events are open to members and non-members.
The bi-annual Ethics in Action Awards highlights the innovative steps taken by individuals and businesses to do business in a better way. Recipients are recognized for their leadership in corporate social responsibility.
What Members Get
Annual membership entitles members to free or discounted entrance to Ethics for Breakfast and Spirit at Work Luncheon events and voting privileges at the annual general meeting.
What It Costs
$25 membership (provides a reduced fee for breakfast & luncheon meetings)
$150 luncheon series; $65 breakfast series (covers full cost of food & meetings)
$200 breakfast AND luncheon series
$500 corporate
Who Can Join
Membership is open to anyone interested in spiritual and ethical development in the workplace.
Click here to join Workplace Centre
History
Harlene Walker, a United Church minister, started the Centre 20 years ago as the Workplace Ministry Society. It was designed to be an "oasis" in the downtown business community where people could discuss ethics or spirituality in the workplace. The Centre also organized seminars, retreats and counseling. Harlene Walker has since retired, but a team of volunteers has expanded the vision through the Ethics for Breakfast and Spirit at Work Luncheon programs, which attract speakers from the business community. In 1994, the Ethics in Action Awards were created in Vancouver through a partnership between the Centre and VanCity Savings Credit Union.
Board of Directors
Chair
R.J. (Jim) Evans
Life Insurance Broker, R.J. Evans & Associates
Vice Chair
John Kuchenthal
Director, Strategic Partners Ltd.
Treasurer
David Waterfall
Director of Marketing - Advertising and Promotions
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.
Gloria McArter
Board Member
G. McArter Counselling and Consulting
Eric Hellman
Board Member
Owner, Conscious Change Consulting and Communications
Roxanne Davies
Board Member
Manager, SCC Successful Contracting & Consulting
Chair, Ethics for Breakfast
Conrad Guelke
President, CSP Enterprises
