|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : NewsBytes : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek. To find a word on the page,
use your browser's "find" feature (CTRL-F or CMD-F). Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are accurate
at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the web means that some
links to other web sites and e-mail addresses may no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
NewsBytes: January, 2004
Articles are arranged in reverse chronological order.
Toronto nurse receives major award for work with the homeless
January 26, 2004
Cathy Crowe is the recipient of the 2003 Atkinson Economic Justice Award. Crowe, a street nurse and advocate for the homeless in Toronto, will receive a $75,000 stipend, plus $25,000 for expenses per year for up to three years, from the Atkinson Charitable Foundation. The funds will allow Crowe to strengthen her health care efforts on the street as well as her research and education work around public solutions to the homeless problem at the local and national level. For more information, visit: www.atkinsonfoundation.ca.
January 26, 2004
Ninety-five Canadians ran or walked in the Bermuda International Marathon as part of the Arthritis Society's Joints In Motion program. In order to participate, each team member raised at least $4,900 for the Society, and together they collected $575,000 for arthritis research and community-based arthritis programs and services in Canada. The program has raised more than $10 million since it began in 2000 and the Arthritis Society is currently recruiting runners and walkers for the Dublin City Marathon (October 2004), the Lisbon International Marathon (December 2004), and the San Diego Marathon (January 2005). For more information about Joints in Motion, visit: www.arthritis.ca.
January 26, 2004
Alcan Inc. has created a US$1 million annual prize to recognize outstanding contributions from the nonprofit sector to the goal of sustainability. The prize is open to all not-for-profit, non-governmental, civil society organizations that have made and continue to make significant contributions that integrate economic, environmental, and social sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2004. A short list of finalists will be announced in June and the winner of the first annual prize is expected to be named in January 2005. For more information and application guidelines, visit: www.alcanprizeforsustainability.com.
Fast Fact: Majority of Canadian firms engage in CRM
January 26, 2004
A study of Canadian corporate attitudes about cause-related marketing (CRM) reveals that 83% of the 800 firms involved in the study engage in cause-related activity, although only 67% of senior managers said they were aware of the term CRM. Survey respondents said the main objectives of a CRM program were: to help the cause (83%), enhance corporate reputation (83%), increase staff morale (58%), and build customer loyalty (50%). The majority of companies (75%) say they recognize the importance of synergy between the brand and the cause and most chose their cause-related partners for strategic reasons. However, 42% say they were influenced by submissions or proposals they received. -- Funding Matters Inc.
January 26, 2004
The Toronto CED Learning Network, in partnership with CEDTAP, LEF and Fast Track To Employment of Vancouver's Downtown East Side, is launching the Social Purchasing Portal. The portal is a marketing mechanism for participating social enterprises and companies that commit to hiring hard-to-employ people. Any outside company already planning to spend money on catering, printing, courier, or a range of other services can spend it at a Social Purchasing Portal company and give someone a hand up without any extra effort. The hiring companies get valuable employees who might otherwise have trouble finding work, and the purchasers get what they want, plus have the added bonus of being attractive to customers who want to add "social value" to the usual purchasing criteria of quality, service, and price.
There will be an information session in Toronto on February 9th, 2pm to 4pm, at The Social Planning Council of Toronto. Please RSVP to Terry Baker via email at terry@torontoced.com before January 30th. For more information about how the portal is operating in Vancouver, visit: www.ftebusiness.org.
January 26, 2004
According to a new report from UK-based nonprofit Christian Aid, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is just a public relations tool for businesses. Behind The Mask: The Real Face Of Corporate Social Responsibility warns that companies are using CSR as a shield and believes it is no coincidence that corporations in areas such as oil, mining, and tobacco are its biggest public champions. The report calls for new international guidelines to govern company behaviour and wants UK legislation to: make corporate social and environmental reporting and disclosure mandatory; give directors a duty of care for communities and the environment, making them legally responsible for the actions of their companies overseas; and enable people harmed by UK companies' operations overseas to seek redress in British courts and provide resources to allow them to do so. For more information or to download the report, visit: www.christian-aid.org.uk.
January 26, 2004
The Salvation Army announced last week that it will receive a donation in excess of US$1.5 billion from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, widow of the founder of McDonald's. She specified that the funds be used exclusively in the United States for the development of new Salvation Army community centres across that country. Mrs. Kroc, who died last October, also left $90 million to National Public Radio, the US public radio service. For more information, visit: www.salvationarmy.org.
January 26, 2004
Falcon Software is once again seeking applications from charities for the Falcon Community Involvement Program (FCIP). FCIP selects one registered nonprofit organization annually and provides them with a professionally designed website that includes audio imaging, web design and development, and content management systems. They will also host and market the website for one year at no cost to the organization. The deadline for submissions is February 9th. For more information or an entry form, visit: www.fcip.ca/entry.htm.
January 26, 2004
In a recent survey of Americans' attitudes about giving, half of the respondents said that giving one's time is the most important way to support a nonprofit, while 22% said that money was the most important gift. Another 23% felt that time and money were equally important. The survey also revealed a generation gap when it came to views about the importance of volunteerism. Fifty-eight percent of young adults said that giving time to a charitable cause was most important, while only 28% of seniors agreed. Conversely, 29% of seniors said that money was the most important contribution one can make, but only 23% of young adults and 18% of those ages 35-49 agreed. -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
January 26, 2004
In response to the demand for increased school choice, Children First: School Choice Trust announced that the program will offer 225 new tuition assistance grants for the 2004-05 school year. The program is currently serving 150 children a year across Ontario and will be expanded to provide grants to 1275 Ontario children over the next six years. "Children First was launched in 2003 to serve Ontario parents seeking increased educational opportunities for their children," says program director Virginia Gentles. "The thousands of families that applied for grants last spring proved the overwhelming demand from lower-income families for an independent school education." Eligible families can apply online at www.childrenfirstgrants.ca, submit an application by mail, or apply by phone at 1-866-924-8881.
January 26, 2004
The Pakistani Community of Mississauga recently presented a cheque for $20,000 to the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation's "World Class Right Here" $50 million capital campaign. The funds will go toward the hospital's new Ambulatory Care Centre. In presenting the cheque, the Consul General of Pakistan, Ghalib Iqbal also issued a challenge to other cultural groups in Mississauga to join the Canadian-Pakistani community in their commitment to the hospital. For more information about the hospital, visit: www.cvh.on.ca/CVH_foundation/index.asp.
January 26, 2004
Web hosting company EcoHosting.net recently announced a new program to benefit charities. The company will donate 20% of its hosting revenues to charitable organizations around the world. The donation is in the form of a discount extended to hosting clients. Clients receive the hosting discount on the condition that they make a donation to the charitable organization of their choice for the same amount. The charity in turn issues the customer a tax-deductible receipt. This allows customers to save 20% on their hosting fees while also supporting their community with a donation.
"What is unique about our process is the way we integrate the nonprofit sector into the equation and create a viable long term solution to fundraising that is economically sustainable," explains EcoHosting president Gio D'Amico. What we are accomplishing is the effective redirection of consumer dollars towards the nonprofit sector. We achieve this goal all the while saving consumers money. It is truly a win-win-win situation." For more information, visit: www.EcoHosting.net.
January 19, 2004
Several major financial institutions and their employees announced donations to the United Way of Greater Toronto recently. CIBC contributed $5.1 million, a 13% increase from the previous year and its best ever United Way GTA campaign contribution. Scotiabank also made its largest ever donation to the charity, with $4.7 million. RBC Financial Group donated more than $6.3 million, and BMO Nesbitt Burns employees raised $2.2 million during the campaign. For more information, visit: www.unitedwaytoronto.com.
January 19, 2004
The final report in the Canadian Policy Research Networks' (CPRN) series on Canada's nonprofit sector is now available. In Passion and Commitment Under Stress: Human Resource Issues in Canada's Non-profit Sector, Ron Saunders, director of CPRN's Work Network, examines the forces that threaten the sustainability of nonprofit enterprise and suggests measures to relieve some of the pressure. Suggestions include: more long-term funding and support for capacity building; the formation of a human resource sector council; competitive salaries and benefits; and striving for high quality workplaces.
This latest report builds on the findings of four previous CPRN reports: on the size and characteristics of the sector and its workforce; on the quality of jobs in the sector; on skill requirements and training in the sector; and the sector's organizational and human resource strategies. To download the report, visit: www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=505.
January 19, 2004
Hamilton philanthropist Charles Juravinski recently donated $2 million to the city's Wellwood Resource Centre, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer, their family and friends. Currently working out of donated space in Henderson Hospital, the centre plans to build a permanent home on an acre of land that was donated by the Chedoke Corporation. The $2 million Juravinski gift will create an endowment to help ensure the sustainability of Wellwood. For more information about the centre, visit: www.wellwood.on.ca/main.cfm.
January 19, 2004
Statistics Canada reports that employment in the culture sector peaked in 2001. It employed 578,000 people that year, then dipped to 577,000 in 2002, representing 3.7% of the country's total labour force. Twenty-five percent of those who work in culture are self-employed, compared with 15% for the entire workforce. The number of self-employed culture workers jumped by 57% from 1991 to 2002, to reach a total of almost 148,000. -- Statistics Canada
January 19, 2004
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy's Knowledge Development Centre is offering grants to nonprofit and voluntary organizations and post-secondary institutions to support research on volunteering and volunteerism. The research themes for the 2004 grant program are: volunteer motivation, recruitment, retention, recognition, and support; and volunteer placement and training. Collaborative efforts among organizations and between organizations and post-secondary institutions are welcomed. The deadline for submissions is February 13. For more information, visit: www.kdc-cdc.ca.
January 19, 2004
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre's (ORCC) seventh annual telethon raised more than $1.8 million, up from $1.6 million last year. "This is our community. This is about us. People calling in are returning something to our community," said Dr. Hartley Stern, CEO of the ORCC, adding that the money will be used to support things not supported by government funding. Half of the funds raised will go toward research, with the other half funding renovations and technological enhancements, including new radiation equipment. For more information about the ORCC, visit: www.orcc.on.ca.
January 19, 2004
A study of civic engagement and community involvement among Canadians ages 15 to 34 finds that young people are more engaged in the nonprofit sector than some might suspect. Sixty-four percent of youth ages 15 to 24 made donations to nonprofits, while 77% of those ages 25 to 34 did the same. Collectively, they donated $1.1 billion to Canadian charities in 2000, accounting for 22% of charitable donations that year. In addition, 29% of 15 to 24-year-olds and 24% of 25 to 34-year-olds volunteered. Forty-two percent of youth say they volunteer because their friends do, while 49% of those ages 15 to 24 said they don't volunteer because no one ever asked them to, and 29% said they don't volunteer because they don't know how to get involved. -- D-Code and CCP
January 19, 2004
A study prepared by Hill Strategies Research Inc. finds that 351,000 Canadians 15 years of age or older volunteered for arts and culture organizations in Canada in 2000. This figure represents a 22% decrease from a high of 452,000 arts and culture volunteers estimated based on a 1997 survey. The report reveals that the sustainability of this volunteer workforce could be in question because of the relatively high time commitment involved in arts and culture volunteer positions and the aging of arts and culture volunteers. It also raises questions about the possibility of volunteer burnout. For more information or to download the report, visit: www.arts.on.ca.
January 19, 2004
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is the first Canadian recipient of a Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) grant. The charity will receive cash and software valued at approximately $1.75 million to further develop technology training programs at clubs across the country. "We began implementing technology centres at 95 clubs in April 2002 thanks to a $2.2 million donation from Microsoft Canada," said Eric Burton, director of national program services. "This program will now be further developed and available in every club across Canada." Unlimited Potential is Microsoft's new global initiative aimed at providing technology skills to under-privileged youth through community-based technology learning centres. For more information about Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, visit: www.bgccan.com.
January 19, 2004
According to a recent survey the three greatest challenges for nonprofits in 2003 were revenue, staffing, and operating costs. Despite the fact that revenue was the top concern, 58% of nonprofits expected contributions in 2003 to exceed those for 2002. However, only 47% had a plan to increase contributions through planned and deferred gifts. -- J. H. Cohn
January 19, 2004
Last week, 13-year-old Kristopher Knowles left his Sarnia, Ontario home to begin a cross-country walk to raise awareness about organ donation. He suffers from a rare liver disease and is currently awaiting a transplant. "I'm very, very excited," said Kristopher before embarking on his journey. "I can't wait to do it." His trek won't be completed until Christmas, but he'll stop if he gets a call telling him to come home for a transplant. If that happens, his 15-year-old brother Robert will continue the walk. Kristopher's effort is being sponsored by Step by Step, a charity founded by George Marcello, who received a liver transplant in 1995 and soon after began raising awareness about organ donation. For more information about Step by Step, visit: www.stepbystep.ca.
January 19, 2004
A new Canadian source for education information was launched last week. The Society for Quality Education (SQE) is a national, charitable organization founded to advance private and public education in Canada. The society, which is funded entirely by private donations, plans to disseminate authoritative information on education governance and methodology. "Up until now, much of the research and other information on how to improve education has come from the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. We plan to be a Canadian source for facts about quality education for policy makers, educators, and the general public," said president, Malkin Dare. For more information, visit: www.societyforqualityeducation.org.
January 12, 2004
The University of Manitoba announced a nearly $22 million (USD$17 million) grant from Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates. The money will help expand the university's research of HIV/AIDS prevention in India. Dr. John O'Neil, head of the university's community health sciences, says the grant will come from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which pledged $200 million U.S. last fall to combat AIDS. The funds will be used to hire academics, physicians, and public health practitioners to assist in the research in India. The university will work with state organizations, community groups, and NGOs to create a wide-ranging approach to reducing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. For more information, visit: www.umanitoba.ca.
January 12, 2004
FLARE Magazine is once again accepting nominations for its annual volunteer award program. The awards honour Canadian women aged 18 and up who have made a significant contribution to the lives of people in their communities. Nominations will be considered in three categories: the Volunteer Awards; the Volunteer Award for Community and Leadership; and the Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement. Individuals, corporate, volunteer, and philanthropic organizations across Canada are encouraged to submit nominations. The deadline for submissions is February 6th. For more information, visit: www.flare.com/volunteer.
January 12, 2004
A Seattle court ruled that a children's charity based in Alberta mislead consumers and businesses in the U.S. The charity, DPS Activity Publishing, uses telemarketers to phone businesses in small communities in the U.S. and Canada to collect donations and sponsorships to make activity books for distribution to children in local hospitals. Regulators in several states, as well as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, received complaints in 2003 that hospitals in some of the communities contacted had never heard of the charity and the books were never given to any children in those hospitals. The Seattle court has ordered DPS Activity Publishing to repay about $500,000 in donations to U.S. consumers. The Alberta government is also investigating several complaints about the charity. Anyone who has donated to DPS is asked to call Alberta Consumer Services at 1-877-427-4088.
January 12, 2004
Statistics Canada reported that government spending on culture rose at its fastest rate in a decade in fiscal 2001-02, the fourth consecutive year that it has increased. Federal, provincial, and municipal governments spent $6.8 billion on everything from libraries to the performing arts in 2001-02, with federal funding reaching $3.2 billion (up 8.9%). The provinces and territories contributed $2.1 billion (up 2.6%), and municipalities contributed $1.8 billion (up 9.3%). The overall increase was 7.6%. Total government spending was $217 for each Canadian, compared with $204 the previous year. -- Statistics Canada
January 12, 2004
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the National Secretariat on Homelessness (NSH) are currently accepting proposals for strategic research grants for their joint initiative "Homelessness and Diversity Issues in Canada". Grants are worth up to $50,000 annually for up to two years and researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners employed by Canadian nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submissions is January 26. For more information, visit: www.sshrc.ca.
January 12, 2004
A joint report from the Community Experience Initiative (CEI) and the Developing Human Resources in the Voluntary Sector project (HVRS) aims to inform policy makers and voluntary sector leaders in their decisions regarding recruitment and retention of young professionals. Attracting the Next Generation of Voluntary Sector Leaders is a collection of perspectives and insights gathered from participants of the CEI internship program, which offers students paid summer positions throughout Canada's voluntary sector. Along with their many positive experiences, CEI participants cited several major challenges in their internships, including: an underlying prejudice against anything to do with management or business; a lack of sufficient organization and structure; and a lack of sufficient attention and oversight relating to their specific projects. Aside from participant input, the report also offers steps that voluntary sector organizations should take to successfully recruit young professionals. To download a copy of the report, visit: www.hrvs.ca/whatsnew_view_e.cfm?id=56.
January 12, 2004
The chair of the Philanthropy Awards Committee for the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter recently announced that the nomination deadline for several of the awards has been extended to Wednesday, January 21st at 5:00pm. This deadline applies to the following award categories: Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Fundraising Executive, and Outstanding New Fundraising Professional. For more information or to download a nomination form, visit: www.afptoronto.org.
January 12, 2004
Between September 2002 and September 2003 the volunteer rate in the United States rose from 27.4% to 28.8%. Approximately 63.8 million people volunteered with an organization during the 12-month period, an increase from 59.8 million people in September 2001 to September 2002. Among teenagers, there was an increase of 2.5%, bringing the volunteer rate to 29.5%. Twenty-five percent of men and 32% of women volunteered, an increase of about one percent for both sexes. Volunteers aged 65 and older volunteered the most hours at a median of 88 hours, while those ages 25 to 34 spent the least amount of time at a median of 36 hours. -- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
January 12, 2004
The UK's Charity Commission recently published a report about the future of governance in the charitable sector. Looking forward to better governance addresses the idea of better regulation of larger charities, emerging trends, and building effective trustee boards and charities' governance arrangements. Topics in the report include: self-regulation by large charities; where to find charity trustees; building accountable and transparent partnerships; and the role of the board in the 21st century. To download the full report in PDF format, visit: www.charitycommission.gov.uk/spr/pdfs/semrep.pdf.
January 12, 2004
Several Jewish Canadian information and advocacy groups recently announced a new umbrella organization that will conduct and direct a wide range of nonpartisan public advocacy initiatives on behalf of the Canadian Jewish community. The new Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA) will support and coordinate activities of the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Canada-Israel Committee, and National Jewish Campus Life. As well as streamlining and coordinating advocacy efforts, CIJA will also work to sensitize Canadians and the Canadian government to challenges facing Jewish Canadians and Israel. For more information, visit: www.cija.ca.
January 12, 2004
This year's Standard Life Marathon raised $365,000 for the advancement of paediatric research. All of the funds raised will go to the Foundation for Research into Children's Diseases. "I am very proud of our efforts at Standard Life. Over 300 employees volunteered to make this year's marathon the biggest ever. We welcomed 800 runners, 200 more than last year, and about 3,000 walkers," said Mr. Garcia, president of Standard Life's Canadian operations. "It truly is remarkable that in a time of economic difficulty, people come together to help raise money for our children's health." For more information, visit: www.standardlife.ca/eng/about/press/news.html.
January 5, 2004
In an effort to strengthen the country's social foundations, Prime Minister Paul Martin recently mandated a number of shifts in government structure. One of the key changes is that the former department of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) is being split into two separate organizations. The newly created Human Resources and Skills Development department will promote a well-functioning labour market and lifelong learning systems by engaging the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and communities in community development and the social economy.
A new Social Development department will ensure that an effective income security system is in place for seniors, persons with disabilities, families, and children. The Minister of Social Development, Liza Frulla, will also be responsible for the Voluntary Sector Initiative, working in particular with Joseph Volpe, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. For more information on the changes, visit: www.pm.gc.ca/eng/chgs_to_gov.asp.
January 5, 2004
Support continues to pour in for victims of the earthquake that decimated the city of Bam, Iran in late December. So far, an appeal from the Canadian Red Cross has generated more than $1 million in donations from the Canadian public. As well, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) contributed $750,000, which will be used to provide tents, plastic sheets, blankets, kitchen sets, water-purification tablets, generators, and kerosene heaters. Reports say that the earthquake, which measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, killed an estimated 30,000 people. For more information, visit: www.redcross.ca.
January 5, 2004
Twenty-five percent of Canadian tax-filers donated to registered charities in 2001, compared to 30% of US tax-filers. Overall, Canadians donated 0.62% of their income to registered charities, while Americans donated 1.59% of their income to charities. As well, the average value of charitable donations in the United States was US$3,494 versus an average value of only CDN$998 in Canada. -- Fraser Institute
January 5, 2004
The London, Ontario-based Pillar Voluntary Sector Network will be sending a survey to volunteers and employees of not-for-profit groups early in the new year in an attempt to learn more about volunteerism. "Hopefully the results of the survey will enable us to see what are the training needs in the sector and to identify where we are having success in recruitment and retention of volunteers and employees," said Beth DeLong, executive director of Pillar. For example, Pillar allows its employees and volunteers to choose holidays according to their own religious beliefs. DeLong believes that such a policy is one way to keep employees in an organization that can't pay as much as one in the private sector. The survey results are expected in April, after which time Pillar will issue a report on how successful groups empower employees and volunteers. For more information about Pillar, visit: www.pillarv.com.
January 5, 2004
A study, published in the journal Psychological Science, surveyed more than 400 elderly couples about their willingness to provide emotional support to spouses, friends, and relatives, as well as whether or not they helped with tasks such as babysitting or errands. Those who did not help were more than twice as likely to die during the five-year study period than those who did offer support. Even when the results were adjusted for other factors, including health and psychological status, busy volunteers still had a 44% lower risk than people who did not volunteer at all. The study also found that volunteering was a stronger influence on longevity than regular exercise or not smoking. The authors state that the "sense of meaning, purpose, belonging and mattering" that are acquired during volunteering leads to increased happiness and decreased depression. For more information, visit: www.psychologicalscience.org.
January 5, 2004
A survey of job quality and working conditions in 17 industrialized countries finds that Canada compares well with the United States, but lags behind some European countries. Regarding work/life balance, Canadians work longer than average hours, but work average amounts of overtime and are happier than average with the fit between work and family life (almost 45% report a good fit, versus the 17-country average of almost 38%). However, Canada came first in reporting working at high speed "all the time". Canadian workers also report the fourth highest computer use at work (almost 61%, versus the 17-country average of 52%), are second most likely to feel overqualified for their jobs, and fourth most likely to receive employer-sponsored training. In terms of overall job satisfaction, Canadians express an above average level of satisfaction with their working conditions (40% versus the 17-country average of 33%). -- CPRN
January 5, 2004
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation announced that three Central Toronto Royal LePage offices have made a commitment to raise $100,000 over five years for Interval House, Canada's oldest women's shelter, adding to the $30,000 they have already donated. "We are delighted to be involved in raising funds and awareness for such a worthy cause," said Dianne Usher, area manager, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. "It is truly fitting that as Canada's first and oldest real estate company we are supporting Canada's first and oldest shelter." Funds will be raised from commission donations as well as combined office events, including golf tournaments, garage sales, and auctions. For more information about Interval House, visit: www.intervalhouse.on.ca.
January 5, 2004
The Pew Internet & American Life Project recently released findings from a three-year analysis of America's online habits. Among the findings of shifting trends in Internet use, is the fact that online Americans' experience with the commercial side of the Internet has expanded dramatically in spite of the economic slump. Financial and transaction activities such as online banking and online auctions have grown more than any other genre of activity. However, it is e-mail that continues to be the dominant Internet application for users, with the majority relying on it as their communication tool of choice. More than nine in ten online Americans have sent or read e-mail. For more information or to download the full report, visit: www.pewinternet.org.
January 5, 2004
A survey of 500 small and medium-sized North American businesses found that almost two-thirds (64%) have experienced an increase in spam in the past six months, with 33% reporting dramatic increases. Nearly 40% of respondents said that spam makes up more than half of their incoming e-mail. According to the survey, many are willing to take action against spam, with 42% saying they would consider abandoning e-mail for business correspondence if the spam situation worsened. Fifty-five percent say they would consider changing their company e-mail addresses, and 56% would consider locking down their e-mail server to allow only approved messages, forcing users who wanted to correspond with the company via e-mail to go through an approval process first. -- Symantec
|
|||
