Employee involvement is a critical component of Cisco's social investment strategy and supports the initiatives outlined in this report. Volunteer projects are also opportunities for employees to build skills of teamwork and leadership. As an example, high-performing directors and vice presidents may take advantage of our unique Leadership Fellows program where they reap the benefits of leading a 6- to 12-month nonprofit project.

In FY2006, 6,000 Cisco employees, representing 15 percent of all employees, logged 160,000 hours in volunteering activities. One of the ways for employees to find volunteer opportunities is through the Volunteer Connection tool. Cisco employees can select from the volunteer opportunities that community organizations post. This allows employees to find projects that match their skills and interests. Additionally, when employees volunteer their time with their favorite organizations, they can multiply their efforts through Cisco's Matching Gift program.

Supporting Our Communities

Employees affect local and global communities in countless ways. In July 2006, as part of the 21st Century Schools initiative, more than 35 Cisco employees spent a day painting two schools in Westego, Louisiana, that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. These employees were in New Orleans for an annual Cisco planning meeting, and they were excited to include this rebuilding effort in their meeting agenda.

Another example is Cisco's long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity , a nonprofit organization that builds affordable homes for those without adequate housing. Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Cisco will help rebuild homes in the Gulf region for existing Habitat home-owning families, as well as displaced families who are new to Habitat.

Global Activities

In Latin America, Cisco employees have developed a strong partnership with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. In 2004, more than 100 Cisco volunteers joined former American President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn to build 150 homes for families in Central Mexico. Additionally, Cisco's contribution included financial support for transportation, meals, and name tags for 6,000 volunteers. Cisco's European employees are also expanding their partnership with Habitat by building homes, not only in their region, but also in developing countries.

Cisco partners with the Hands On Network, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals, teams, and corporations volunteer in their communities. Through this partnership, Cisco managers can call their local Hands On affiliate directly to organize a customized team-building project for their group. Hands On also trains employees to serve as team leaders for these projects, and Cisco strongly encourages this opportunity for employees.

Board Memberships and Other Civic Leadership Roles

Cisco employees can deepen their commitment to a particular organization, beyond a one-time volunteer event, by becoming a board member. Cisco partners with boardnetUSA to help employees find board positions that match their skills, interests, and professional development goals. Cisco supports employees on nonprofit boards through e-learning sessions that explain nonprofit culture, board expectations and structure, and fundraising.

Employees can also get involved with one of Cisco's 32 worldwide Civic Councils, teams of employees who are passionate about giving back in their local communities. Civic Councils plan local volunteer projects, develop nonprofit partnerships, and identify opportunities for product and cash grants.

Examples of FY2006 Volunteer Activities

• Several Cisco employees traveled to Ethiopia and Tanzania to teach basic computer and Internet skills to 160 Ethiopian students, 90 Ethiopian teachers, and 80 female Tanzanian students. They are returning for another trip within 12 months.
• Cisco employees raised more than $135,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank, to be used to buy and process beef from Ottawa-area farmers to feed the hungry.
• Two teams of employees from Cisco New Zealand participated in the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race, a 38-kilometer race involving running, trekking, and mountain biking through steep terrain. They raised $23,000 for research into deadly children's illnesses.
• In a new one-day record, 29 employees from the Technical Service team sorted 27,032 kilograms of food in one day for the Belgian Food Bank.
• More than 120 Cisco employees participated in a fundraising campaign for Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderatei (German Bone Marrow Donor Center), in addition to donating $7,464 to the cause.
• Seventy Cisco volunteers joined with The Academy of Learning and Technology School and City Year cadets for a "Community Day" of service in New Hampshire, which included cleaning, planting, and painting.
• Employee donations of 1,881 gifts and $33,344 in cash and matching funds to the Family Giving Tree in December 2005 became a part of the nonprofit's delivery of toys and gifts to 63,000 low-income children. Cisco was honored with three awards for its participation, including the Golden Chimney Award for the largest company employee-to-gift participation.