A resolution – initiated by the Social Good Summit Austin committee and backed by the Austin City Council – supports the creation of a citywide “Work-From-Home” day that asks all citizens (who are able to participate without inhibiting daily operations) to stay off Austin roads for one day (Friday, February 8, 2013) in an effort to make a more long-term plan. The goal is to get 10,000 cars off of Austin-area roads in an effort to improve Austin air quality. The Social Good Summit Austin committee recognizes the weight of this commitment for business owners, and will provide tools and education to help companies continue to efficiently work as a team when doing so remotely.
The Social Good Summit Austin committee planned the pilot 10,000 Cars Off The Road day for Friday, February 8, 2013. On that day, we ask everyone who is willing and able (without inhibiting daily operations) to participate – especially companies that employ the largest number of Austin residents – to allow and assist a significant fraction of their workforce to Work-From-Home for that day. The Social Good Austin team will coordinate with all participating companies to provide options and tools for workers to be productive while outside of the office and separated from co-workers.
The mission of Social Good Summit committees across the United States is to find ways to use new media and technology to put plans into action that can have an impact on our world’s most pressing problems. In Austin, our committee met in September of 2012 and decided to work with the City of Austin, and the major businesses that employ the most Austin residents, to coordinate a citywide Work-Social Good Summit Austin From-Home day. The goal of this day is to determine the effect that removing a majority of cars from city roads can have on the air quality of Austin.
We are planning a pilot 10,000 Cars Off The Road day for Friday, February 8, 2013. On that day, we ask everyone who is willing and able to participate – especially companies that employ the largest number of Austin residents – to allow a significant fraction of their workforce to “Work-From-Home” for that day. Our team will coordinate with all participating companies to provide options and tools for workers to be productive while outside of the office and separated from their coworkers.
The Social Good Summit is a three-day conference where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions. Held in New York City during UN Week from September 22-24, the Social Good Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our world’s greatest challenges. The Social Good Summit asked committees to meet in cities nationwide to form action groups to begin solving local issues.
In Austin, our committee met in September of 2012 and decided to work with the City of Austin, and the major businesses that employ the most Austin residents, to coordinate a citywide Work-From-Home day. The goal of this day is to determine the effect that removing a majority of cars from city roads can have on the air quality of Austin. The Social Good Summit committee here in Austin is a group of volunteers from environmental, technology and media sectors who came together to do something good for our city, our country and our world.
First, and foremost, The Social Good Summit Austin team asks all Austin businesses to allow all available staff to Work-From-Home on Friday February 8, 2012.
We understand that this is a significant request on businesses, and this initiative can only be successful if businesses still find it an efficient way to conduct business periodically. Therefore, on January 11, 2013, our team will coordinate with participating companies to attend an educational seminar on the options and tools for workers to be productive together while working outside of the office. Visit www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more details about how to make your business run efficiently when employees work remotely.
We understand that this initiative is not an option for a few select jobs that facilitate the daily activities of our city. For those businesses that cannot function without certain employees, but still want to support this cause, the Social Good Summit Austin committee offers the following options:
- Encourage employees who will be coming to work, to carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation during their travels on Friday February 8, 2013. To view the City of Austin’s bike map visit this link.
- Spread the word about The Work-From-Home initiative to everyone you know, visit our Social Channels. Links can be found on our website, www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org. Share our posts on your own Social Channels.
- Contact our team leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
If you represent another type of organization, and are looking to help, our team is currently gathering support from as many companies, governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations and NGO’s as possible, including the region’s air quality improvement organization: The CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas.
If you are a member of the press looking for more information please view our provided Press Kit on www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
In Austin, our citizens can effectively contribute to reducing our traffic carbon emissions, as these are one of the leading sources of our city’s increased air pollution.
- If you will be traveling the roads within Austin on Friday, February 8, consider carpooling, walking, biking or using public transportation –
and encourage others you know to do the same. To view the City of Austin’s bike map visit this link. - Spread the word about The Work-From-Home initiative to everyone you know, visit our Social Channels. Links can be found on our website, www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org. Share our posts on your own Social Channels.
- Contact our team leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
In a 2012, the Austin area ended the Ozone Season (April 1 – October 31) with an ozone level of 74 ppb (parts per billion). A level of 74 ppb is barely within the ozone standard of 75 ppb that is set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Clean Air Act to protect public health, a standard that is considered outdated by many scientists. Cars and trucks are the leading cause of our region’s air pollution, and with more and more people moving to the Austin area, it is imperative that we find workable solutions to our air quality issues.
We understand that this initiative is not an option for select jobs that facilitate the daily activities of our city. For those businesses that cannot function without certain employees, but still want to support this cause, The Social Good Summit Austin team offers the following options:
- Encourage employees who will be coming to work, to carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation during their travels on Friday February 8, 2013. To view the City of Austin’s bike map visit this link
- Spread the word about The Work-From-Home initiative to everyone you know, visit our Social Channels. Links can be found on our website, www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org. Share our posts on your own Social Channels.
- Contact our team leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
Our team will coordinate with all participating companies to provide options and tools for workers to be productive while outside of the office and separated from their co-workers.
We understand that this is a significant request on businesses, and this initiative can only be successful if businesses still find it an efficient way to conduct business periodically. Therefore, on January 11, 2013, our team will coordinate with participating companies to attend an educational seminar on the options and tools for workers to be productive together while working outside of the office, for more information visit www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
We also know that this initiative is not an option for a few select jobs that facilitate the daily activities of our city. For those businesses that cannot function without certain employees, but still want to support this cause, The Social Good Summit Austin committee offers the following options:
- Encourage employees who will be coming to work, to carpool, walk, bike or use public transportation during their travels on Friday February
8, 2013. To view the City of Austin’s bike map visit this link - Spread the word about The Work-From-Home initiative to everyone you know, visit our Social Channels. Links can be found on our website, www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org. Share our posts on your own Social Channels.
- Contact our team leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
We are currently gathering support from as many companies, governmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations and NGO’s as possible, including the region’s air quality improvement organization, The CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas(www.cleanairforce.org).
We are requesting the support of the City Council and staff to participate, as it is one of the largest employers in the city with their already existing program. From our first WFH Day, we will discover the best practices, and evaluate scalability potential for other Austin companies and U.S. cities that are already practicing in similar initiatives.
To view a complete list of currently pledged organizations visit our website at www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
In addition to the environmental benefits, The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reports that working from home offers employee and organizations many benefits including using the opportunity to telecommute to recruit and retain valuable employees. Organizations can also save money on work space, and boost morale and loyalty amongst staff.
Employees enjoy the flexibility and convenience that telecommuting offers. Teleworking is popular in the general business world, and can be adapted to some jobs in the health care field. Managers must look throughout their organization to see what jobs can be accomplished either partially or completely at home.
The current ozone standard as set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act is 75 ppb (parts per billion). The Austin area ended the 2012 Ozone Season (April 1 – October 31) with an ozone measurement of 74 ppb, which is dangerously close to exceeding the standard. This standard is set to protect public health. In addition to breathing cleaner air, staying under the ozone standard is an opportunity to avoid up to 25 years of new state and federal regulatory requirements that could also negatively impact our City’s economic development.
Our cars and trucks are the leading cause of our region’s air pollution, and with more and more people moving to the Austin area, it is imperative that we find workable solutions to our air quality issues in order to remain under EPA’s standard. A stricter ozone standard is expected to be set by EPA in 2014 so the need is now more important than ever to improve our air quality.
We understand that this initiative is not an option for a few select jobs that facilitate the daily activities of our city. For those businesses that cannot function without certain employees, but still want to support this cause, The Social Good Summit Austin team offers the following options:
- If you will be traveling the roads within Austin on Friday, February 8, consider carpooling, walking, biking or using public transportation –
and encourage others you know to do the same. To view the City of Austin’s bike map visit this link - Spread the word about The Work-From-Home initiative to everyone you know, visit our Social Channels. Links can be found on our website, www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org. Share our posts on your own Social Channels.
- Contact our team leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
Contact our team leaders about our sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
We have many options from events and promotions to joining our committee, and would be happy to welcome our friends in Austin and around the country. Contact our leaders about sponsorship opportunities. Email sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more information.
The Social Good Summit asked committees to meet in cities nationwide to form action groups to begin solving local issues.
The Social Good Summit is a three-day conference where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions. Held in New York City during UN Week from September 22-24, the Social Good Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our world’s greatest challenges.
In Austin, our committee met in September of 2012 as well, and decided to work with the City of Austin, and the major businesses that employ the most Austin residents, to coordinate a citywide Work-From-Home day. The goal of this day is to determine the effect that removing a majority of cars from city roads can have on the air quality of Austin.
We will measure the impact by looking at the amount of miles saved on fuel, the number of surveys signed, and the reduction percentage of carbon and ozone emissions to see how our continued efforts will contribute to an improved air quality.
We will compare historical Austin air quality levels to the air quality levels on February 8th. By knowing who, and how many, pledged to Work- From-Home, we can determine the effect that continued Work-From-Home programs would have on Austin air quality over time.
The Social Good Summit Austin team will hold an event during South By Southwest (SXSW) to present our initial findings from the pilot program. Visit our website at www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org for more details about our March SXSW event.
While we hope that the message of this initiative spreads beyond our knowledge, the results of this initiative will be much more dynamic if we know the number of cars that we were able to take off the road. Our researchers are gathering information about current Austin air quality levels to measure against the air quality numbers that they gather on the day of the Work-From-Home event (Friday, February 8).
By knowing who, and how many, pledged to Work-From-Home, we can determine the effect that continued Work-From-Home programs would have on Austin air quality over time.
Additionally, it is our mission to not only improve our city with this initiative, but to also provide a solution that is cost effective and efficient for the operation of our great Austin businesses. In this effort, we are gathering your email addresses to add you to our newsletter, which is set to contain education and tools (as well as event details) that will help to make this Work-From-Initiative a success for us all.
The results of this Work-From-Home study will be much more dynamic if we know the number of cars that we were able to take off the road. Our researchers are gathering information about current Austin air quality levels to measure against the air quality numbers that they gather on the day of the Work-From-Home event (Friday, February 8). By knowing who, and how many, pledged to Work-From-Home, we can determine the effect that continued Work-From-Home programs would have on Austin air quality over time.
Additionally, it is our mission to not only improve our city with this initiative, but to also provide a solution that is cost effective and efficient for the operation of our great Austin businesses. In this effort, we are gathering your email addresses to add you to our newsletter, which is set to contain education and tools (as well as event details) that will help to make this Work-From-Initiative a success for us all.
It is our mission with this initiative to make the world, and particularly the great city of Austin Texas, a better place for us to live and work. We have many dedicated volunteers and organizations going above and beyond to make sure that this initiative creates wins for the environment and businesses at the same time. In the light of this mission, it would be hypocritical of us to make this process difficult on our generous volunteers by polluting your inboxes with spam. We promise to communicate only the needed information on what we’re doing, how we plan to do it, and why it is so important for us to accomplish. If you would like to contact the Social Good Summit team, please visit our website at www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
The best way to help us (other than committing to Work-From-Home on Friday, February 8) is to spread the word of our initiative. We are blasting our story through local and national media as well as online through Social Media. Please look for and share our content to your extended networks, and tell people why what we look to accomplish is so important. In addition, urge people to sign-up for the Work-From-Home Austin initiative at www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
Depending on the structure of your organization, begin by taking the idea to either your HR Department or highest-level supervisor. We recommend presenting:
- Details of the initiative
- How we propose to improve the air quality of Austin
- How The Social Good Summit Austin team plans to help this still be an efficient workday
Include links for your executives to read more information about the initiative and the Social Good Project.
If you would like us to come in and present for your business, contact: sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
Depending on the structure of your organization, begin by taking the idea to either your HR Department or highest-level supervisor. We recommend presenting:
- Details of the initiative
- How we propose to improve the air quality of Austin
- How The Social Good Summit Austin team plans to help this still be an efficient workday
Include links for your executives to read more information about the initiative and the Social Good Project.
If you would like us to come in and present for your business, contact: sponsors@socialgoodsummitaustin.org.
The Social Good Summit is a three-day conference where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions. Held in New York City during UN Week from September 22-24, the Social Good Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our world’s greatest challenges.
The Social Good Summit asked committees to meet in cities nationwide to form action groups to begin solving local issues.
In Austin, our committee met in September of 2012 and decided to work with the City of Austin, and the major businesses that employ the most Austin residents, to coordinate a citywide Work-From-Home day. The goal of this day is to determine the effect that removing a majority of cars from city roads can have on the air quality of Austin.
The goal is to get 10,000 cars off of Austin-area roads in an effort to improve Austin air quality. The Social Good Summit Austin committee recognizes the weight of this commitment for business owners, and will provide tools and education to help companies continue to efficiently work as a team when doing so remotely.
To learn more visit our Tumblr Blog at socialgoodsummitaustin.tumblr.com.
The Social Good Summit Austin committee will be holding several events, and we would love to have you and your business or organization attend them all. First will be our educational event on January 11 to prepare for an efficient Work-From-Home day.
The second event will be the actual 10,000 Cars Off The Road Work-From-Home Day on Friday, February 8.
Then, the Social Good Summit Austin team will hold an event during South By Southwest (SXSW) to present our initial findings from the pilot program. Visit our website at http://socialgoodsummitaustin.org/sxsw-event/ for more details about our March SXSW event.
The first step is to visit our website at http://socialgoodsummitaustin.org/get-involved/ and pledge to Work-From-Home on Friday, February 8, 2013.
The Social Good Summit Austin committee will be holding several events, and we would love to have you and your business or organization attend them all. First will be our educational event on January 11 to prepare for an efficient Work-From-Home day.
The second event will be the actual 10,000 Cars Off The Road Work-From-Home-Day on Friday, February 8.
Then the Social Good Summit Austin team will hold an event during South By Southwest (SXSW) to present our initial findings from the pilot program. Visit our website at www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org/sxsw-event/ for more details about our March SXSW event.
While it does not cost any money specifically to participate in our Work-From-Home initiative, we understand that this is a significant request on businesses. This initiative can only be successful if businesses still find it an efficient way to conduct business periodically. Therefore, on January 11, 2013, our team will coordinate with participating companies to attend an educational seminar on the options and tools for workers to be productive together while working outside of the office.
Visit our website (www.socialgoodsummitaustin.org) and Tumblr Blog (socialgoodsummitaustin.tumblr.com) to learn more about how this can be an efficient and beneficial day for both the City of Austin and it’s businesses.
This initiative is planned to take place citywide in Austin, Texas (and some of its surrounding counties) on Friday February 8, 2013.
To register yourself, your business, or to learn more visit: http://socialgoodsummitaustin.org/get-involved/.