It's not all fun and games for Starbucks employees meeting in New Orleans

They're scraping and painting homes, and doing other tasks. Starbucks is using its first-ever annual leadership meeting outside of Seattle to field 10,000 volunteers. They'll restore parks, schools and houses this week in a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. || Read "10,000 Starbucks employees volunteer while in town for convention"

Comments

[Pat Nerr]

it's OTJ training for when they have to do the work on their own remodels...

...now that Store Dev is down to 3 people

[Nerfebarista]

It alot better use of their time, than listening to the idiots in corporate office drivel on about the new "core" products. I wish I coulda made it this year

[Naptown Barista]

This can probably considered "career training" so that they can have something to fall back on when their stores are closed...

bono is speaking at leadership.

[Me]

So now if U2 is performing at the wrap up party it was all well worth it! At least for the ones participating. :-)

I worked on painting a house for a 67 year old woman yesterday as my community service. I will not forget that, nor will the negativity on the site get me down anymore. Onward!!!

[javajane]

and that's why you make a good soldier....the company once again uses their store personnel to make them look good. I'm glad you helped that woman yesterday and I'm glad the experience is a win-win for the volunteers and the community....let's just not all pretend that the company has any altruistic ideals, it's simply a marketing ploy to boost the public perception.

[in*sidethamallbux]

It was a truly beautiful experience today to paint murals for the public schools! When it was all said and done, we contributed 1300 pieces of art and 125 tiled benches to NOLA schools! I am truly grateful to be apart of this experience. What can you do?

here, here java jane. i agree with you 100%. starbucks once again uses the partners to make them look good.

this leadership conference is just a big PR stunt on the part of starbucks...AND there's nothing "volunteer" about what the partners are doing down here...we're basically required to do the work. what a cheap PR stunt. much of this conference could've been done by a conference call

[Darleen]

Whether it is PR or not, at least Starbucks is doing something to help out the folks who have been left behind in NOLA. In my opinion. I'm sure they are grateful. Has Howard himself been doing the work along side the partners?

[eb]

Darleen: you sound pretty high and mighty:

Whether it is PR or not, at least Starbucks is doing something to help out the folks who have been left behind in NOLA. In my opinion. I'm sure they are grateful. Has Howard himself been doing the work along side the partners?

Almost come off making it sound like the residents of New Orleans are below you and your ex-SBUX ilk. Like New Orleans was nothing before and is nothing after SBUX arrives and departs. Like SBUX is gracing their presence on the lowly folks of New Orleans.

I see it takes some time for the elitism and self-appointed, unearned sense of entitlement that seems to run rampant in Starbucks employees to wear off after ceasing employment.

[Kat]

I disagree EB, I don't think Darleen sounds high and mighty at all. A lot of people in New Orleans have been waiting three years for help that still hasn't come and that never may. I know I'd be awfully grateful for this kind of help if my house was still in need.

It may be some big feel good pr event for Starbucks, but those people are still out there working hard helping on things that may otherwise remain untouched, and I'm sure many will come away feeling like they accomplished something great. What's so wrong with that? It's better to do nothing?

[javajane]

No Kat, I reiterate, it's wonderful that the partners involved are helping this community. I just don't want those involved to minimize their contributions and that they understand the underlying motivations on the companies' part. The company did this for a huge pr event...their is no altruistic feeling behind it. That being said it doesn't negate the fact that amazing things happened because of it. Just be aware of the underlying forces behind it.

[whereami?]

So for a PR event we sure did some great things. Multiple families expelled from their homes for over 3 years get to return to them this weekend because of this event. Along with all of the income we brought to the local restaurants, hotels, tourists shops, taxis, tour buses, street musicians and street vendors. I am sure that Bourbon street alone would love us to have another "PR Event" real soon. Bourbon Rocks! Best Club on Bourbon Street.

To everyone who attended the 2008 Leadership Conference.

Onward

Howard worked right beside us on these events. It was an amazing few days, I met so many great people. The new POS system is going to make our jobs so much simpler. Checking your hours online, laptops for store managers....I'm so excited.

[Kat]

Oh I agree, javajane, I'm sure there are some underlying reasons behind all this (good PR). Most companies don't do something purely out of the goodness of their heart, they do like that favorable PR that often goes with it. But that's ok. In the end, a lot of people were helped that really needed it, and I applaud and thank the Starbucks people that made it happen.

[tallgrandeventi]

I'm very proud of the work being done by the store operations team while at the Leadership Conference. You can not replace the pride, the sense of belonging and family that comes from doing these kinds of good works, by any amount of training sessions. Some of you may call this a PR stunt, when in reality it is far from it. It instills the very ideals of the company by actually doing and not just talking about it. Way to go Starbuckians!

[believe in the power of yourself]

For those of you who can't be moved by what happened down there...do you have a heart? Good PR? Then why isn't every company doing it? I've worked for other companies and they wouldn't have done that. They'd just donate money to get their names on the billboards. Giving money helps but it's not the answer.

Events still need volunteers. Those houses and gardens wouldn't have been fixed with just money. The volunteer hours we put in would have cost far more than any company would have donated.

The people that work at Starbucks care about people. That's what attracted me to the company and that's what I look for when hiring. It's up to corporations and all the people in them to make a difference.

My partners and others like them go out into our communities without being made to do it. I loved the opportunity Starbucks provided me in N.O. How many people can say they were part of something that big. Bigger than ourselves.

[Humbled and Prideful]

I find it hard to believe that the crew that put this all together sat in a room and said "Wouldn't this be a great PR event to boost our sales?" I find it highly LIKELY that they sat in a room and said "Wouldn't it be awesome to go to New Orleans and restore the community?" We had an opportunity here and no one was forced to do it. I know a manager that stayed behind for personal reasons related to temptation on bourbon street and I find it highly admirable of him to stay home and not put his job at risk. On top of that, SBUX payed us to do what we did. They didn't have to do that. If you think of how much time and effort and MONEY went into this...

I can't even fathom the amount of money spent to have 10,000 individuals experience something on a grander scheme. It just goes to show you that no matter what you do to do good things, someone will always be out there to criticize you and say you are doing it for other reasons. BOTTOM LINE: Many people at SBUX care about what they do and the remifications that sbux has on the global level. This conference put into perspective how much we help people all over the world.

Shame on those people who can't put aside the criticism and just plainly say "WOW! That was awesome of Starbucks! Good job and keep up the good work and involvement in the community." Have a little heart and positive reinforcement. Geez!

[Darleen]

Darleen: you sound pretty high and mighty
Almost come off making it sound like the residents of New Orleans are below you and your ex-SBUX ilk. Like New Orleans was nothing before and is nothing after SBUX arrives and departs. Like SBUX is gracing their presence on the lowly folks of New Orleans

EB,
You're not fooling anyone with that name, I know it is you Espresso Blend. Of course you would see my post that way, you only look for the negative. I think it is a GOOD thing to HELP people, you think it is PR. I thought you were banned from here. Post after post of negative condescending remarks, and you think WE'RE ENTITLED? Crawl back under your rock please.

[Darleen]

For those of you who can't be moved by what happened down there...do you have a heart? Good PR? Then why isn't every company doing it? I've worked for other companies and they wouldn't have done that. They'd just donate money to get their names on the billboards. Giving money helps but it's not the answer

I don't think people want to believe that Starbucks is capable of having a heart after all that's happened with the lay offs and such. But it was a great thing they did, and you should be proud, you made a difference in someone's life, that's what it's all about. Let the naysayers think and say what they want. Starbucks did a good thing for the folks of NOLA that needed help. Period.

[Darleen]

Webmaster,
I thought you said the parasite was banned from here, yet he just changes his name to EB and can continue to harass and belittle people on here? (well, me namely) but that's not my point, if he can't contribute to the site, why is he still here?

[Darleen]

So for a PR event we sure did some great things. Multiple families expelled from their homes for over 3 years get to return to them this weekend because of this event

That is something to be proud of! Now try to keep that passion and share it with your team, if anyone can make a difference it is the ones who speak with their hands and hearts, not just their mouths. I may not be employed with the company anymore, but I applaud them for their work in New Orleans.

[bob]

You all can be negative as you want to...Thepartnership with the RED brand is historic to say the least...who in their right mind commits millions of dollars to this organization in the middle of a economic down turn.Howard that who..5 cents per holiday drink company wide oh I dont know you do the math...Onward and Upward

[spence]

The Red program is excellent. And I'm not complaining because I do want Aids patients to receive medicine.
But I'm also thinking the we might want a Red, White and Blue program next year.
Since most stores already donate to food shelters of some sort, maybe we could incorporate that program into supplying holiday dinners for the poor and homeless. Or tackling poverty ridden schools with better tools. Something along the line that charity begins at home.

[FLA SM]

After spending the week in NOLA, I must say I'm feeling torn about our community work. On the one hand, I suppose there were some folks who were helped that actually deserved it. However, I was thoroughly disgusted by the situation at the house where I worked. We painted the house of an old lady and the smaller unattached annex-style building that her nephew lived in. As we're painting, the able-bodied nephew is inside, sitting on his ass watching TV. Really?! I'm all for helping those who need it, but it's ridiculous for them to sit around for three years and wait for someone else to do it for you.
Wait, it gets better. Throughout the day, driving through this "downtrodden" and "depressed" area, the locals are driving around in fancy new Avalanches, Explorer Sport Tracs, and the like. For several hours, we got to look at a slick loaded BMW and a brand-new Mercedes parked out front of the house we're painting. Really?! Two cars that each cost a lot more than I make in a year?! Really?! Maybe if they had skipped the leather trim, their houses would be painted already.

I'm sure there were other locations (schools, etc.) that truly needed our help but I was completely apalled at the "poor needy residents" who somehow can afford cars worth more than their houses.

[joe]

please don't say NOLA unless you live there

[Darleen]

Joe,
You have to be joking. You do not have the market on what term anyone calls a city. I'm assuming you were not being serious, but if you were that's pretty rude (in my opinion) to tell someone what they can and can not call a city. It's easier to type out NOLA, then New Orleans, and not something to get upset about......

[puppygirl]

I think no matter what you want to belive about my company, you must agree that the work we did was needed and rewarding. Now that the news crews are gone, these people are easy to forget about but we can't. There is still a desperate need for help & not just in NOLA but all areas hit by hurricanes. My family is planning to go back in the spring to volunteer on our own. Everyone had different experiences there and you take away what you want. In the end, it was very emotional for me and I thank my company for the experience and the chance to make a difference.

[beinvolved]

New Orleans still needs ALOT of help. I have been with this company for a long time and one of the reasons why is because partners are supported in any community volunteer efforts - I LOVE THAT OUR COMPANY gives backs $ for the time that I donate. ALOT of other companies do not.
I kinda wish that we could have volunteered even more-EVERY day we were there. I think we could even have had a bigger impact... but I am happy to have done some help for the communities. THERE is a SERIOUS NEED for volunteers and help there. It is still truly sad. I want to get back there and volunteer more. Thanks NOLA for hosting us- your SPIRIT was NOT WASHED away or flooded out.
("corp. ploy" or not I am happy to have helped out)

[jajajajaj]

wow, java jane it must be easy for you to sit at home and talk bad about everybody helping out new orleans. have fun in your sea of negativity and don't forget to send us pictures of that assgroove you are molding in your recliner.

I must admit that at times I have not liked starbucks, what they do and how they do it. I sometimes feel that no amount of money is worth what I personally give to my store in time and effort. However, for people to try to downplay what we did in New Orleans as simply a PR stunt, well that's friggin ignorant and hurtful. So what if it was a PR stunt anyway? It may have been the most touching and fulfilling PR stunt I have ever been a part of. Anyone who says otherwise is not a true "partner" and should probably go find an employer who is more worthy of your crappy attitude because starbucks doesn't need you or your kind.

[That Other Person Over There]

In response to the previous post about the person who worked on a house that had an able bodied person watching TV, that is really quite disturbing. I am sorry you had to deal with that, it must have been a downer for your group that day. I worked at the Gregory School, and it was most rewarding. The students came out and did a little presentation, which was really cute and heartfelt. Every time we would erect a new structure for the playground they would cheer and holler! It was so much fun! They really needed what we provided. There was even a moment when someone from Starbucks asked, since there was no athletic equipment at the school, if we could donate what was in our pockets for some balls and hoops and the like, and within minutes the bucket was full of money, so we went to Wal Mart and bought more equipment. It was a rewarding experience I will never forget.

[Tall in a Grande]

I applaud all those who went and gave of themselves to help those in need. My manager told us that they were busy from hour one. My only concern is that all this corporate money was spent on airfare and lodging when the company is closing hundreds of stores. What kind of a conflicted message does that send to partners? I enjoy working at Starbucks, but they ought to be a little more careful about the timing of events like this.

To all those that think the 10,000 volunteer hours put in during the conference was a PR stunt, it might have been, but tell me this when has dunkin donuts done such a PR stunt? Other than trashing on Sbux, what has Dunkin Donuts and other competitors done for their or anyones communities? Sbux partners donate so much of their time to many community events everyday. That many people don't know about unless directly affected. And because they chose a big event that was so publicized they're criticized for it?

[MakeUpYourOwnMind]

I'm sure tired of naysayers that have nothing good to say about Starbucks. They aren't a charity, they are a for-profit corporation that actually has a social conscience and does the right thing far more often than just about any other comparably sized company in America. (Go ahead -- TRY and name someone else who does a better job!) I challenge you to watch the YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBop1BuWqRU) of the New Oreleans Leadership Conference, listen to the real people of N.O. affected by Huricane Katrina whose lives were changed for the better by the 50,000 hours of volunteer service by Starbucks employees. This wasn't a publicity stunt and not something Starbucks had to do, but rather chose to do. Pretty telling when a US company does a better job for some of Katrina's victims than our own government. Most of the store managers that attended the leadership conference will tell you that while the large gatering was impressive, it was the community service that they will remember longest.