RPS’s commitment to social responsibility revolves around four guiding principles:
1. Community Commitment
2. Environmental Responsibility
3. Corporate Responsibility
4. Diversity & Accessibility
* RPS sponsors and donates their services for benefit shows and other community events for organizations such as The Canadian Cancer Society, The Minerva Foundation and The ALS Society of BC.
From 1997 to 2003, David C. Jones and Rock Paper Scissors produced ‘Sketch in Time,’ an annual benefit for The ALS Society of BC that has raised more than $25,000 for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
* Donate services to community organizations in need and, when possible, offer reduced rates to not-for-profit groups.
* Solid reputation for being fair, equitable and forthright with both our talent and within the business community. One of the only companies in town who actively re-directs repeat clients back through the original booking agent or event planner.
* Develop and foster long-term client relationships by building trust, striving for total client satisfaction, and incorporating client feedback in all aspects of our service design and delivery.
“We don’t look at any relationship (whether it is clients, agents or talent) as being a one-time only affair. Our commitment to fostering long term relationships based on trust and respect is one of the reasons we are not only a vibrant and growing company but we feel good about how we got to where we are.”
– Diana Frances
* Involve a variety of stakeholders in every aspect of our customized shows, services, and evaluation practices.
“We are providing a service to meet your needs. You are encouraged to be as involved as you are able to. You are the experts on what you require. We are the experts on delivering it.”
– Lee-Anne Ragan
* Include an education, capacity building component in all aspects of our work. We leave behind resources and tools to help expand the learning potential plus many sessions include an activity that continues days after the initial event is over. We also offer follow-up courses and evaluation to further the impact of our work.
2. Environmental responsibility
* Completed the Environmental Youth Alliance Green Workplace Program
* Reduce waste by minimizing use of paper in business operations
* Reduce environmental impact through a recycling program (e.g. paper, ink cartridges); print corporate stationery and business cards on post-consumer paper.
* Where feasible, use low impact transportation methods (e.g. car share, bike, bus)
* Actively encourage and nurture new talent. RPS is committed to developing opportunities for the stars of tomorrow through such productions as the popular Vicious Games.
Comedy “is one of the toughest professions to penetrate. It’s a classic Catch 22; nobody wants to cast you if you haven’t been in anything. It’s generous of (Rock.Paper.Scissors) to provide this (Vicious Games) launching pad for talent. In a profession where most would rather tattoo themselves with obscenities rather than give up stage time, they step aside.”
– Leanne Campbell, The Westender
* RPS was instrumental in creating the first ever open forum between members of the local improv community. This session encouraged dialogue, cooperation and consultation in what is usually a competitive environment.
* Compensate RPS artistic collaborators, partners, local businesses, and suppliers equitably and on time.
“In the early days of my career, I worked with too many companies that would sometimes hold onto to my pay for up to one or two months after I had completed the contract. I found that frustrating so we were determined right from the start that Rock.Paper.Scissors would always pay on time.”
– Diana Frances
* Donate 1% of pre-tax earnings to community groups through reduced rates for not-for-profit groups; the sponsorship and production of charitable benefits; reduced fees for non-for-profit groups.
* Support local businesses and micro-enterprises.
* Conduct research on micro-enterprises and social responsibility.
While RPS offers specific diversity training we also weave diversity into everything we do. Far from being tacked on, it’s integral to our company. We create services that are accessible and mindful of diversity with respect to culture, literacy, socio-economic diversity, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, religious / spiritual orientation, and/or sexual orientation. We consider diversity and accessibility the fourth bottom line (beyond fiscal, environmental, and social responsibility).
“Diversity enriches ourselves as people, it enriches our communities and it defines our business. It’s not always easy but it’s always interesting and intriguing. Whether I’m examining my own attitudes, learning something new from a client, or working in a new community. It’s a core for me.”
– Lee-Anne Ragan