Ricoh started
an environment volunteer leadership-training
program in 1999 in an effort to aid employees
in environmental volunteer work. The program
consists of group training called "Ricoh
Nature Seminars," and "Ricoh Company
Meetings for Environmental Volunteer Leaders."
As of FY2002, 196 have become environmental
volunteers. After completing group training,
these leaders have organized environmental
volunteer programs, in close cooperation
with their respective business divisions
and local communities. Ricoh provides support
in promoting these activities.
Nurturing Volunteer Leaders
For the purpose of resolving environmental issues,
the Ricoh Group believes that it is important for employees to volunteer for both
company-run and outside environmental conservation and social contribution activities.
However, at present, in comparison to the United States or Europe, very few people
in Japan participate in citizens' groups or volunteer activities. To encourage
employees to participate in such volunteer activities, it is important, among
other things, that companies promote awareness among their employees. It is also
effective to ask for assistance from environmental conservation NPOs, which are
pioneers in environmental conservation, in order to conduct training programs
that motivate employees and continually remind them to preserve nature. In June
1999, the Ricoh Group launched a leadership-training program for Ricoh employees
to promote environmental conservation activities. In fiscal 2001, the program
was expanded to include the Ricoh Group's employees and retirees. By the end of
fiscal 2002, as many as 196 employees and directors of Ricoh and the Ricoh Group
became environmental volunteer leaders. The leadership-training program consists
of Ricoh Nature Seminars and Ricoh Company Meetings for Environmental Volunteer
Leaders, which also promote post-training activities. Following the training at
nature seminars, each leader develops environmental volunteer activities in close
cooperation with relevant divisions or with the local community. |
- Ricoh Nature Seminars
Ricoh nature seminars aim at turning employees
into environmental volunteer leaders by teaching them how to enjoy the natural
environment and implement environmental conservation activities. Each seminar
lasts for two days and is attended by approximately 15 participants. The seminars
are usually held at The WBSJ Center for Wild Birds and Nature of the Globe (WING),
of Wild Bird Society of Japan (WBSJ), an NPO. In fiscal 2002, an introductory
course at a Ricoh nature seminar was held at Ikeda Plant, Osaka. Intermediate
courses are held for employees that have completed introductory courses, in order
to nurture leaders who can provide children with opportunities to experience nature.
In fiscal 2002, as many as 14 employees became environmental volunteer leaders.
Also in fiscal 2002, Ricoh held a Forest Seminar to train leaders in forest ecosystem
conservation. Twelve of the participants went on to become leaders.
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The 12th Ricoh nature seminar (introductory course) (Ricoh Ikeda Plant)
The 1st Ricoh Forest Seminar (Afan Forest) |
- Ricoh Company Meetings for Environmental Volunteer Leaders
The aim of Ricoh Company Meetings for Environmental
Volunteer Leaders is to update environmental volunteer leaders on each other's
activities. The leaders report on the environmental volunteer activities that
they organized, exchange information with each other, and learn how to improve
the quality of their activities. Three Ricoh Company Meetings for Environmental
Volunteer Leaders were held in fiscal 2002.
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The 10th Ricoh Company Meeting for Environmental Volunteer Leaders(The biotope at Ricoh Gotemba Plant) |
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Cleaning up Zaimokuza Beach, Kamakura
Every
year, volunteer leaders and their
families and friends get together
at the beach in
Kamakura to clean up and enjoy building
sand sculptures.
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Thicket
conservation in satoyama (community
forest) (Lake Shinsei, Hatano)
About
once a month, volunteer leaders engage
in such activities as taking care
of thickets that shelter many wildlife
species, going on nature walks, and
growing mushrooms.
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Participation
in an environmental event (Tsurumi
River)
Volunteer
leaders participated in the River
and Wind Festival organized by the
Green, River, and Wind Group, a local
environmental NPO. At the festival,
they cleaned up the riverbed and taught
children how to make bamboo flutes.
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Climbing
up and cleaning up Mt. Fuji
Volunteers
from Hatano Plant climbed Mt. Fuji
and cleaned up the mountaintop areas
and trails.
*
Mt. Fuji was not designated as a World
Heritage site because it was littered
with garbage.
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