entryform2015

torchawardsfor marketplace ethics

trust | performance | integrity

Congratulations on taking the first step towards becoming a BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics winner!

In this brochure you will find everything you’ll need to begin compiling your 2015 Torch Award entry including a detailed description of the entry process and the supporting documentation you will need to complete your admission.

On a personal note, I would like to thank you for taking the time to demonstrate your commitment to marketplace ethics in our community. San Diego is bursting with companies like yours who approach business with trust and loyalty to customers. In fact, that is the reason we host this annual awards pro-gram; to bring recognition to you and salute your efforts.

WHAT ARE THE “BBB TORCH AWARDS”?The mission of your Better Business Bureau is topromote and foster ethical relationships between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence. As part of our pursuit, we hold this annual awards program to recognize businesses that continually make great strides in increasing transparency between themselves and their customers.

Winners of a Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics are honored through our regional competition, and are then sent to the Council of Better Business Bureau’s International Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics competition. Each winner and finalist of a BBB Torch Award has a unique opportunity for public recognition and well deserved visibility in the community and across the nation.

WHO JUDGES THE AWARDS?Entries will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges who represent the vast business and academic community in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Your entry has four judging criteria, as outlined in Step 1, each criteria has a maximum value of ten points, for a total overall point value of 40 per judge. The judges will make comments and consider your company summary when scoring overall, and can request additional information from candidates. All decisions made by the judges are final.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?All businesses that serve the San Diego and/or Imperial Counties are eligible to participate. Companies must be in good standing with the BBB (a rating of B or higher) to be considered, however BBB Accreditation is not necessary for eligibility.

WE CAN HELP! Your BBB conducts free, one-hour workshops to guide attendees step by step through the 2015 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics entry process. At these intimate lunch-time workshops, we offer ideas on how to best complete the entry form, review the 2015 judging criteria in depth, share past experiences, and present winning entry from years past for review. For more info and to sign up, contact your BBB’s Shelley Bradley at 858-637-6199 or sbradley@sandiego.bbb.org. Workshops are twice monthly beginning on March 11, 2015. Please visit sandiego.bbb.org for a list of all 2015 workshop dates.

For your entry to be considered the following must be met:

— Complete this entry form; — Submit the entry fee;— Submit your entry by the deadline, August 27th by 5pm;— Entry should include Company summary, have addressed all four criteria and include supporting documentation;— Meet total page count maximum of 210 pages; — Agree to attend the Torch Awards Luncheon;— Sign the compliance statement.

Again, thank you for your efforts in upholding the highest ethical standards of behavior in our community, and good luck!

Sincerely,

Sheryl Reichert, President & CEO

ENTRY CRITERIA

1. COMPANY SUMMARY (2- page maximum*) must explain:

— Explains why the company merits consideration for the award; — Highlights specific business and management practices relevant to the award;— Illustrates the company’s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace;— Explains the company’s position on integrity and standards of conduct in relationships with all stakeholders – including a formally adopted policy or mission statement. *Company may include supporting documentation in this section - limited to 8 pages.

2. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

note: Owners of companies with no employees must explain how a personal commitment to exceptional standards is applied in business practices.

— A vision, mission or core values statement describing company’s commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surround-ing communities — Pertinent sections from employee handbook, company manual or training program (formal or informal) showing how the company’s commitment to exceptional standards are communicated to and implemented by employees — Formal training and/or procedures used to address concerns an employ-ee may have in dealing with ethical issues — Management practices and policies that foster positive employee relations — Employee benefits and/or work place practices contributing to the quality of family life— Actions taken to assess and mitigate risks, and prevent workplace injury

— Examples of sound environmental practices— Examples of operational practices focused on security and privacy issues, on and offline— Illustrations of company’s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace — Existence of Ombudsman, Compliance Office or Ethics Officer (a person who investigates and attempts to resolve complaints and problems, maintains the ethics culture, responsible for being one of the key knowledge and contact points on issues relating to corporate principles and ethics).

3. COMMUNITY/INVESTOR/STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

— Examples of company’s vision, mission and/or core values statement in action - describing how the com-pany’s beliefs have been leveraged for the benefit of consumers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and surrounding communities— Company policies and practices that demonstrate accountability and responsibility to communities, investors and other stakeholder audiences — Corporate governance practices address accountability and responsibility to shareholders— Complimentary feedback from customers, vendors, suppliers and/or community leaders— Actions taken by company demonstrating service “beyond the call of duty”— Brief case study example(s) of circumstances in which the company made tough decisions that had negative short-term consequences, but created long-term value and benefits — Examples of, and results produced by pro bono work

— Examples of company working closely within the community and making a positive social impact, and any recognition for charitable and/or community service projects.

4. COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PRACTICES

— Descriptions of methods company uses to ensure all sales, promotional materials and advertisements are truthful and accurate— Sales training policies and/or codes of ethics used by sales personnel that ensure all transactions are made in a transparent, honest manner— Crisis communications efforts and associated marketing actions that educated audiences, prevented negative outcomes and restored trust and confidence in the company, its products and services— Examples of internal communica-tions practices benefiting employees and contributing to overall company effectiveness and efficiency

5. iNDUSTRY REPUTATION

— Media coverage reflecting company’s industry and community reputation as a trustworthy business— Awards, recognition and/or com-plimentary letters from others within company’s industry, trade group or community

STEP 1 PREPARING YOUR ENTRY

A company should demonstrate its superior commitment to exceptional standards that benefit its customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and surrounding communities. The company must provide supporting documentation in four areas for consideration (below) to be considered for the award. While examples from all four areas must be provided, the bullet points below are only suggestions and not all bullet points are required to be addressed in order for a company to compete.

All entries must be submitted in digital format (PDF or PPT). Entries must be separated into separate sections corresponding to the judging criteria, not exceed maximum page count and must include materials that speak to the firm’s strengths regarding each of the criteria.

company name

year company began business in san diego or imperial county

website address email

product / service

president / owner

street address city zip code

telephone fax

i would like to enter the 2015 better business bureau torch award for marketplace ethics competition in the following category:

n 1-4 employees n 11-24 employees n 100-249 employees n 500+ employees

n 5-10 employees n 25-99 employees n 250-499 employees n charity/non-profit

this official entry is being submitted by:

name title

telephone email

relationship to company being entered

these fees help fund the torch award for marketplace ethics scholarship program:

n check enclosed for $25 n please charge $25 to my credit card n mastercard n visa n american express

card number exp. date passcode

name on card

signature

STEP 2 ENTRY FORM

entry deadline Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 5pm

submit entry to BBB, 4747 Viewridge Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego,CA 92123

need help? Contact Shelley Bradley at (858) 637-6199, sbradley@sandiego.bbb.org

STEP 3 ENTRY FEE

STEP 2 ENTRY FORM STEP 4 REFERENCES

STEP 5 COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

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company, customer or client name address & telephone

We understand that the judges may request a site visit. We agree to host the visit and to facilitate an open and unbiased examination. We also understand that by signing this application we certify our compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations governing our business or industry. We further understand that any government action must be disclosed in the entry. Any misstatement of material fact may justify recession of the award. Presenting sponsors are not eligible to apply for the award. We agree that we will abide by BBB guidelines for referencing the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in any advertising or public announcement.

Please send entries and supporting materials to:Better Business Bureau, 4747 Viewridge Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123

n i understand there is an 80% threshold to be considered a winner or finalist. there may not be a winner or finalist in a category.

n all criteria must be included for entry to be considered.

n i agree that our company will be represented at the 2015 torch awards luncheon by one or more company representatives.

n if my company is a winner of the 2015 torch awards, i understand that i am ineligible to compete for one year and will not be allowed to enter the 2016 competition.

Entry forms are also available online, at www.bbb.org. All submitted entries become property of the San Diego BBB. Winners’ entries cannot be returned.

name title

telephone email

suppliers / vendors

STEP 3 ENTRY FEE

STEP 1 PREPARING YOUR ENTRY

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU4747 VIEWRIDGE AVENUE, SUITE 200

SAN DIEGO, CA 92123

858.637.6199 bbb.org

2014 WINNERS AND FINALISTS

1-4 employees

Vows From The Heart Ministries - WINNEROn-Site Tech Support - Finalist

5-10 employees

Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel - WINNER

RSVP Publications - San Diego - FinalistK-Co Construction, Inc. - Finalist

11-24 employees

My Lineage, Inc. - WINNERRJS Law - Finalist

25-99 employees

Toyota Certified Center of Santee - WINNER

Baker Electric Solar - FinalistIdeal Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical - Finalist

100-249 employees

ASI Hastings - WINNERMeridian Auto Parts - Finalist

Bill Howe Family of Companies - Finalist

2014 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

tristan curnowFallbrook High School, $1,500

monica cooperMater Dei Catholic High School, $1,250

anton cujecHigh Tech High Media Arts, $1,000

stephen clarkLa Jolla Country Day School, $750

matt mullenTorrey Pines High School, $500

DO YOU KNOW A COLLEGE-BOUND JUNIOR OR SENIOR THAT COULD USE A CASH SCHOLARSHIP?

The BBB conducts an annual scholarship program in conjunction with the Torch Awards and offers cash scholarships to five high school juniors or seniors who write the best essays on the importance of ethics and integrity in our community.

For more information, contact Shelley Bradley at (858) 637-6199 / sbradley@sandiego.bbb.org.