Employees Support Community Projects in N.Y., Ohio

Editor’s Note: According to the 2012 GM Sustainability Report, strong community relationships improve our competitiveness by helping us establish a presence in locations with strategic business value and attract and retain top talent in the area. They also can ultimately impact the purchasing decisions of customers and shareholders alike. Here are recent examples of community spirit at work.   Plant Manager Puts it All on the Line for Charity UAW Local 909 and Warren Transmission Operations are well known for helping nonprofit organizations and local community groups. In support of this year’s United Negro College Fund (UNCF) campaign, the Warren joint leadership team decided to raise the stakes to encourage team member engagement.   In exchange for contributions to the local UNCF campaign, Plant Manager Mike Dulaney offered all employees a chance to put him to work on the production line. Campaign contributors were entered into a drawing with a chance to select any operation in the plant for Dulaney to perform for one hour.   A winning entry was drawn and the Torque Converter Install operation was chosen.  Dulaney studied the Job Element Sheet and Standard Operation Sheet, which outlined requirements and instructions to complete the operation. Upon arrival to the job, he was trained by team leader Pete Carlisi and team member Raquel Evenfejcht on proper techniques for each job task. Following training, Dulaney was supported by both Carlisi and Evenfejcht throughout his work assignment.    “This was fun for the team and it gave Mike perspective on our work assignments,” said Evenfejcht.   GMAAN Hammers for Habitat Members of the Tonawanda Engine plant’s GM African Ancestry Network (GMAAN) recently donated their time and talent to help rebuild a house on Buffalo’s east side. GMAAN members volunteered in conjunction with the Buffalo chapter of Habitat for Humanity to rehab a two-story, three-bedroom house.   Members got their hands dirty hanging and mudding drywall, and installing support beams. While few had any prior experience with this work, they learned that a little sweat equity goes a long way in helping to create a home for others. The Tonawanda Engine branch of GMAAN was happy to make an impact on the community and plans on making this a yearly event.   Parma Metal Center Cleans Up the Cuyahoga A team of employees from the Parma Metal Center near Cleveland recently participated in its fourth Riversweep event. Riversweep is an annual one-day event – driven by the Ohio Canal Corridor – in which volunteers clean up along the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries.     This year, the Parma volunteers helped with a rain garden/bioswale project and replanted grass along a nature trail at the Seven Hills, Ohio municipal complex.     The bioswale was originally installed several years ago as part of a grant from the EPA, but had been neglected. The organizers said they were waiting for the Parma team because of its reputation for hard work on other community projects.     Some members of the Parma group participated in the river cleanup and the rest worked on the Seven Hills project. Here’s an excerpt from the note that Seven Hills Mayor Richard Dell'Aqula sent to Parma Plant Manager Al McLaughlin:   “The GM volunteers … were ready to work despite the cold and rainy conditions. It is volunteer groups like GM that really provide a community atmosphere. On behalf of the city, thank you again for GM's dedication and service to our community.”