http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/business/06red.html?pagewanted=1
As we all know, The Gap is famous for its partnership and contributions for the Product Red campaign. The Product Red campaign is a campaign started by Bono who is in the Rock band U2. Product Red was designed to raise money by donating profits earned to help those with HIV/ AIDS in Africa. Red contributions have built 33 testing and treatment centers, supplied medicine for more than 6,000 women to keep them from transmitting H.I.V. to their babies, and financed counseling and testing for thousands more patients. The Gap like many other companies have donated their profits for this program. However after reading this article, Red has fallen short. Many critize that a majority of profit is being kept and are just puting a good name for themselves instead of actually raising the issue about HIV/AIDS. The company spends more money on advertising than they do to help those living in Africa. Look at all the promotions they’ve put out,” said Inger L. Stole, a communications professor “The ads seem to be more about promoting the companies and how good they are than the issue of AIDS.” Even though this goes against Gap i thought it was quite interesting since all you see are the adds about HIV and AIDS and how you buying the (Red) product can really make a difference. However you have to think that the companies would not give all of there profit to support this, they do have to make some kind of money out of it. So in the end this really inst surprising at all.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Gap's philanthropic contribution
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/27/us/edison-project-gets-aid-to-open-new-schools.html
This article is from 1998 but I found it very interesting since it struck so close to home. The Edison project was founded 18 years ago on the premise that a private corporation could provide a better education and make a profit while spending the same amount as most states do per pupil. Its own studies have shown improvement in the reading and math scores of its students. Many of these schools are on contracts with local school districs while some are charter schools. This would not have been made possible without big conrtibutions from large organizations. The Gap makes a big Philanthropic contribution by giving 25 million dollars to support and help fund The Edison Project. This money went on to help schools in California hire Edison and allowed them to open up new schools. ''It makes Edison possible where it wouldn't be,'' said Christopher Whittle, the media entrepreneur who founded the company in 1991. This article was very interesting to me since I have actually attended one of these schools. I never would have imagined that The Gap would have funded this company. The Gap believes in community building and that is exactly what these schools are. A lot of these schools are placed in an underrepresented area were there are a lot of minorities or low income families, or at least that's what it seems like simply because these types of schools would not be placed in neighborhoods with incomes above 60,000. This article shows how The Gap is in support of the community, it cares about children and believes in education first. From my personal experience I would say that this money could have been spent on something else maybe on a program that actually helps students and actually has improving reading and math but that is just my opinion. In the end The Gap truly cares about the community giving money to fund schools and to help communities grow is what this company is all about.
This article is from 1998 but I found it very interesting since it struck so close to home. The Edison project was founded 18 years ago on the premise that a private corporation could provide a better education and make a profit while spending the same amount as most states do per pupil. Its own studies have shown improvement in the reading and math scores of its students. Many of these schools are on contracts with local school districs while some are charter schools. This would not have been made possible without big conrtibutions from large organizations. The Gap makes a big Philanthropic contribution by giving 25 million dollars to support and help fund The Edison Project. This money went on to help schools in California hire Edison and allowed them to open up new schools. ''It makes Edison possible where it wouldn't be,'' said Christopher Whittle, the media entrepreneur who founded the company in 1991. This article was very interesting to me since I have actually attended one of these schools. I never would have imagined that The Gap would have funded this company. The Gap believes in community building and that is exactly what these schools are. A lot of these schools are placed in an underrepresented area were there are a lot of minorities or low income families, or at least that's what it seems like simply because these types of schools would not be placed in neighborhoods with incomes above 60,000. This article shows how The Gap is in support of the community, it cares about children and believes in education first. From my personal experience I would say that this money could have been spent on something else maybe on a program that actually helps students and actually has improving reading and math but that is just my opinion. In the end The Gap truly cares about the community giving money to fund schools and to help communities grow is what this company is all about.
In America- a sweatshop victory
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/22/opinion/in-america-a-sweatshop-victory.html
Since coming under negative criticism about the use of underage workers and abuse in factories, The Gap has agreed to allow independent observers such as human rights officials to monitor working conditions in Central America. A majority of those who work in these factories are women who work 80 hour work weeks in harsh and inhumane conditions. Many of these workers work marathon shifts such as a 20 hour work shift and forced overtime. Before allowing independent observers, attempts to organize and form unions were harshly suppressed and shot down. Since then unions have been formed allowing employees to have a say, those who object the organization of unions will be fired. Many retailers will do good just to get out of the negative spot light just to gain good public relations points with consumers and human rights groups. However, Gap has moved beyond public relations and is actually trying to make a difference on how factories are operated. Gap has recently signed an agreement stating that "....it will be helpful to use the Human Rights Ombudsman's offices in El Salvador and other Central American countries to monitor factory compliance with the Gap's 'Sourcing Principles and Guidelines". Even though this may not be enough to stop child labor through out Central America, they are trying to make the situation better which to me is good and worth support. This company is not acting selfish in anyway, instead of doing good for their own public image they want to end such conditions and abuse within the factories. The Gap has become a role model to many larger retailers, they are setting an example and now many are asking larger retail chains to do the same and fight against child labor. In the end Charles Kernaghan, the executive director of the labor committee makes a good point to which many consumers would agree and states the main reason why it is important for companies to fight against child labor. This however, is summed up by one simple quotation"People are not interested in wearing clothes made by exploited workers and children".
Since coming under negative criticism about the use of underage workers and abuse in factories, The Gap has agreed to allow independent observers such as human rights officials to monitor working conditions in Central America. A majority of those who work in these factories are women who work 80 hour work weeks in harsh and inhumane conditions. Many of these workers work marathon shifts such as a 20 hour work shift and forced overtime. Before allowing independent observers, attempts to organize and form unions were harshly suppressed and shot down. Since then unions have been formed allowing employees to have a say, those who object the organization of unions will be fired. Many retailers will do good just to get out of the negative spot light just to gain good public relations points with consumers and human rights groups. However, Gap has moved beyond public relations and is actually trying to make a difference on how factories are operated. Gap has recently signed an agreement stating that "....it will be helpful to use the Human Rights Ombudsman's offices in El Salvador and other Central American countries to monitor factory compliance with the Gap's 'Sourcing Principles and Guidelines". Even though this may not be enough to stop child labor through out Central America, they are trying to make the situation better which to me is good and worth support. This company is not acting selfish in anyway, instead of doing good for their own public image they want to end such conditions and abuse within the factories. The Gap has become a role model to many larger retailers, they are setting an example and now many are asking larger retail chains to do the same and fight against child labor. In the end Charles Kernaghan, the executive director of the labor committee makes a good point to which many consumers would agree and states the main reason why it is important for companies to fight against child labor. This however, is summed up by one simple quotation"People are not interested in wearing clothes made by exploited workers and children".
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Gap campains for FSASF
http://www.fsasf.org/includes/downloads/2008fallnewsletter.pdf
FSASF or better known as Family Service Agency of San Fransisco is an organization designed to help those out in the Bay area and surrounding cities and suburbs. In the summer and Fall of 2008 Gap Inc awarded one of three Founders Awards to PREP, a program inside to the Family Service agency. This program called PREP or better known as Preventive Recognition of Early Psychosis Program was designed to help hold the promise of finding a cure to help those with cases of schizophrenia. PREP is program only based in San Fransisco but will soon go on to a more national level. The founders award is given annualy and world wide to three programs that Gap employees are involved in. These employees make the community they work in a better place. However, one of the benefits of belonging to this program is that the employees will receive 80 hours of paid time to help train and assist those who are involved with the program.Gap Inc goes through a vigorous selection process when narrowing down finalist for this award. The award is mainly based on three criteria, how much the employees have given back, their passion and their commitment to their program. Gap Inc shows a tremendous amount of community support, they are constantly finding ways to give back to the community and to make it a better place for those who live in it. Many company's would not be able to say that they have programs or awards that help through out the community and allow their employees to help assist with that Cretan program. In the end it is the support for the community that makes Gap Inc special and a good company. I hope to find more articles that support my position on this company.
FSASF or better known as Family Service Agency of San Fransisco is an organization designed to help those out in the Bay area and surrounding cities and suburbs. In the summer and Fall of 2008 Gap Inc awarded one of three Founders Awards to PREP, a program inside to the Family Service agency. This program called PREP or better known as Preventive Recognition of Early Psychosis Program was designed to help hold the promise of finding a cure to help those with cases of schizophrenia. PREP is program only based in San Fransisco but will soon go on to a more national level. The founders award is given annualy and world wide to three programs that Gap employees are involved in. These employees make the community they work in a better place. However, one of the benefits of belonging to this program is that the employees will receive 80 hours of paid time to help train and assist those who are involved with the program.Gap Inc goes through a vigorous selection process when narrowing down finalist for this award. The award is mainly based on three criteria, how much the employees have given back, their passion and their commitment to their program. Gap Inc shows a tremendous amount of community support, they are constantly finding ways to give back to the community and to make it a better place for those who live in it. Many company's would not be able to say that they have programs or awards that help through out the community and allow their employees to help assist with that Cretan program. In the end it is the support for the community that makes Gap Inc special and a good company. I hope to find more articles that support my position on this company.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Gap campaigns aginst child labor
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/business/worldbusiness/16gap.html?_r=1
while researching for my one sided argument, I ran across this article written by Ameila Gentleman for the New York Times in support of Gap Inc. This article titled Gap campaigns against child labor, states that since becoming embarrassed by claims of using children who were under the working age, Gap has tightened up its restrictions against those who own and operate the facilities that their clothes mare made in and has suspended a majority of its orders form that factory. Also Gap has made a commitment to give back wages and education to those children who were under age and eventually they will be offered employment. Since then the company has given 200,000 dollars worth of grant money to help find alternative solutions to child labor.
This shows that even though the Gap has had controversy, they took something negative and made it positive simply by giving grant money to help fight and end child labor. Many however may not agree with this but I believe that a company that takes full responsibility for their actions and any wrong doing is a company that is ethical and practices good ethical behavior everyday. I believe that this company has taken numerous precautions in preventing this from happening again.
In the end I was very pleased to find this article and it has helped my shape my argument. This article has proved points and given examples on how the company practices its ethics and how responsible and mature it is. Even though no company likes to be accused of such allegations, Gap Inc turned their controversy into a learning experience and gained respect from many anti child labor organizations world wide.
while researching for my one sided argument, I ran across this article written by Ameila Gentleman for the New York Times in support of Gap Inc. This article titled Gap campaigns against child labor, states that since becoming embarrassed by claims of using children who were under the working age, Gap has tightened up its restrictions against those who own and operate the facilities that their clothes mare made in and has suspended a majority of its orders form that factory. Also Gap has made a commitment to give back wages and education to those children who were under age and eventually they will be offered employment. Since then the company has given 200,000 dollars worth of grant money to help find alternative solutions to child labor.
This shows that even though the Gap has had controversy, they took something negative and made it positive simply by giving grant money to help fight and end child labor. Many however may not agree with this but I believe that a company that takes full responsibility for their actions and any wrong doing is a company that is ethical and practices good ethical behavior everyday. I believe that this company has taken numerous precautions in preventing this from happening again.
In the end I was very pleased to find this article and it has helped my shape my argument. This article has proved points and given examples on how the company practices its ethics and how responsible and mature it is. Even though no company likes to be accused of such allegations, Gap Inc turned their controversy into a learning experience and gained respect from many anti child labor organizations world wide.
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