Since our early days, Highstreet has cultivated a commitment to the community. Giving something back has always been a goal shared by all our people. Our Community Investment Program enables us achieve this goal.

OUR VISION

Highstreet will be a visible participant in community development. Highstreet will be known for its commitment to sharing its resources with the youth in our community.

OUR GOALS

We will support and contribute to the development of leadership skills in youth.

We will support and encourage volunteerism.

We will follow prudent business ethics in support of our Community Investment Program.

WE ARE AN IMAGINE CARING COMPANY

Highstreet has operated a Corporate Citizenship Program since the inception of our firm in 1998.  In 2001, Highstreet became an Imagine Canada Caring Company.

As an IMAGINE CANADA CARING COMPANY, we support the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP PRINCIPLES

We believe that our company and our shareholders have an important stake in the prosperity, health and quality of life of the communities in which we operate.

Community Investment: Commitment, Innovation and Leadership

THE IMAGINE CANADA CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP COMMITMENT

The commitment Highstreet has made to Imagine is as follows:

CORPORATE GIVING

Highstreet operates a staff-led Charitable Giving Committee. As Highstreet's giving is focused on youth and youth leadership development, we have been partnering with both Junior Achievement and Ivey Connects with multi-year commitments. In addition, in 2009 the Highstreet Charitable Giving Committee approved funding grants to Junior Achievement, May Court Club of London, Western Area Youth Services, Fanshawe College Bursary and the London Regional Children's Museum.

PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

Highstreet manages investment portfolios for several registered charitable organizations and foundations.  For each qualifying charitable client over $1 million, Highstreet contributed a donation equal to 10% of our investment management fee.  We also participate in the charitable events hosted by our clients from the charitable sector as well as other valued community organizations.

VOLUNTEERING

In 2009, 15 Highstreet staff contributed 970 hours to 18 of the following non-profit and charitable organizations. Our staff participated as coaches, committee and board members, event organizers, fundraisers and grass-roots volunteers.

GREEN TEAM

In 2007, Highstreet formed a Green Team to research, develop and implement opportunities within our day-to-day operations to help conserve and protect our environment. Our challenge was to seek ways to do our part for the environment. We researched potential corporate initiatives as well as commitments that individual staff members could make in three categories: paper, energy and general office. Highstreet is proud of the progress accomplished in all key areas.

100% RECYCLED PAPER
Highstreet has committed to purchasing paper products that meet the strict standards set by the Forest Steward Council (FSC). The FSC is an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world's forests and employs third party organizations to certify forest managers and forest product producers to the FSC standards.

RECYCLING
As a result of Highstreet's inquiries with the property management company, our office building has formally instituted a paper recycling program for all tenants. Highstreet is also continuing our own recycling plan for plastic, cans, glass and cardboard. Additionally, Highstreet volunteers take used batteries to the proper disposal locations and also deliver newsprint to the boy scouts.

JUNK MAIL
We have dedicated resources to eliminate unwanted subscriptions and mailing lists; keeping one membership for conference notices, magazines, etc in the lunchroom library. Consequently, Highstreet has reduced the amount of unneeded advertisements and periodicals.

PRINT JOBS
Employees have significantly decreased the number of printed reports, opting to save many documents electronically instead of printing. We are also investigating methods which will reduce the need to print client documentation and save pertinent files electronically.

LUNCH MEETINGS
Our lunch meeting caterer (Willies Café) has also gone green. They use biodegradable plates and bowls (made from sugar cane fiber) and biodegradable cutlery (made from potato starch).

WATER
We run dishwashers only when they are full. Our kitchen taps have built in filters, eliminating the need to purchase bottled water.

POWER
Highstreet uses energy efficient lighting and kitchen appliances. Furthermore, some employees have opted to remove a light bulb from above their work areas. We also installed programmable thermostats allowing us to automatically reduce the temperature when the office is not in use.

MISCELLANEOUS
Highstreet continues to find new ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Refillable pens allow us to extend the life of our pens and eliminate the need to discard disposable pens.

SHARING THE GREEN MESSAGE
Many of Highstreet's employees have added a footnote to their email signature reminding email recipients to consider the environment prior to printing the email.

While we are proud of the steps we have taken so far, we see this as just the beginning of the changes we all need to make. We will continue to search for ways in which Highstreet can reduce our impact on the environment and we will continue to strive towards these goals in our day-to-day routines at work and at home.