GCVC Meeting Rio de Janeiro and Teresópolis, Brazil, Sept 16-19, 2008: Letter to participants by G-CVC director Sarah Hayes

Dear G-CVC members, invited guests and friends:

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro!

I am excited to welcome you to the 4th gathering of the Global Corporate Volunteer Council (G-CVC), an initiative of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), in partnership with the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF).

I would like to particularly acknowledge one of our Founding Members, Vale, who invited us to hold our meeting in this beautiful area of the world, and who will be hosting the special Breakfast we will have the morning of the 17th at the Hotel Rio Pestana Atlantica. Vale has been a true friend to the G-CVC, and we are grateful for their continued support.

I believe this meeting will prove to be informative, innovative, personal and inspirational! I know you will have brought with you ideas to share, and great learning you have obtained from the challenges and successes you have experienced in managing employee volunteer and community engagement programs around the world. No matter where you are on this continuum, working together in partnership and sharing knowledge is always an important component of growing these programs and continuing to keep them relevant in changing times.

I urge you to take advantage of the networking opportunities you will have here, both during the meetings and during meals and other free time. I also encourage you to enjoy Brazil for the exciting and beautiful country it is! I know you will want to visit again.

I look forward to talking individually with each of you, and I thank you very much for coming!

Obrigado!!
Sarah
Sarah E. Hayes
Director, G-CVC
Corporate Liaison, International Association for Volunteer Effort