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Rooted in its core value of ESG focus, Chememan’s flagship volunteer initiative, 'CMAN new home, new life', has become a powerful platform for employee development, shared pride, and sustainable community partnerships.
At Chememan Public Company, people development and community impact are closely linked. The organisation’s employee volunteer programme was built on its core value of ESG focus, helping employees create tangible, meaningful change through both skills and compassion. Over time, this has led to youth workshops, and community safety campaigns, centred on the idea of doing good together.
Among these efforts, 'CMAN new home, new life' has become Chememan’s defining initiative. The project brought employees and local villagers together to repair and rebuild homes for underprivileged families, supported by community development funding. Beyond improving living conditions, the experience strengthened unity, pride, and a shared purpose within its workforce, becoming a clear example of ESG in action.
Building trust with the community was the first challenge, especially in securing approval to use shared funds while respecting local processes. Instead of directing decisions, Chememan worked with the village committee, allowing them to select the families most in need. Internally, HR rallied volunteers across departments, and managers supported those who needed to leave work early. When the new home was handed over in front of local officials, it reflected a genuine collaboration between employees, leaders, and the community.
Reflecting on the journey, Major General Nattapond Kongsompong, Vice President - Government and Community Relations shares one guiding principle for HR leaders: "Don’t seek recognition, just do what’s right".
At the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Thailand, Chememan brought back three awards:
- Gold for Excellence in Employee Volunteerism
- Silver for Most People-Focused CEO (Adisak Lowjun)
- Bronze for Excellence in HR Change Management
Major General Nattapond talks about the journey leading to these wins, in the interview with HRO.
Q Tell us about your inspiring HR initiative, what sparked the idea, and how did you know it was the right path to take?
Our Employee Volunteer Programme was designed around our core value, ESG Focus, encouraging employees to create tangible impact through their skills and compassion. Over time, we have launched several initiatives from youth skill-sharing workshops to community safety campaigns, each rooted in the same purpose of doing good together.
Among these, “CMAN new home, new life” has become our flagship initiative. Through this project, employees volunteered alongside local villagers to repair and rebuild homes for underprivileged families using materials funded by our community development contribution. The experience not only improved lives but also strengthened unity, pride, and purpose within our workforce, a living example of ESG in action.
Q Every journey has its ups and downs; can you share a challenge your team faced and how you worked through it together?
Gaining community trust was our first challenge. We needed approval to use the shared fund while respecting the village committee’s autonomy. Instead of directing, we partnered, letting them choose the beneficiaries themselves.
Internally, rallying volunteers made effort. HR encouraged participation across departments and gradually built momentum. Managers also supported employees who left work early to volunteer, reinforcing trust and purpose.
When the new home was handed over in front of local officials, the moment reflected true collaboration between employees, leaders, and the community itself.
Q What impact has this initiative had on your organization so far, and what do you hope it inspires in the wider HR community?
The initiative created stronger bonds and shared pride within our workforce. Employees developed teamwork and empathy while discovering the deeper meaning behind their work. The project also enhanced our reputation as an organization that acts on its values, not just states them.
More than community service, it became a people development platform, helping volunteers grow leadership and problem-solving skills in real-world contexts.
We hope our story encourages other HR professionals to view volunteerism as a strategic ESG tool, one that nurtures purpose, unity, and sustainable impact.
Q Looking back, is there a moment, person, or value that kept you and your team motivated throughout the journey?
The gratitude from the families and students we helped kept everyone inspired. Seeing their smiles reminded our volunteers that small actions can create real change.
Support from leadership also mattered, they recognized volunteers publicly and encouraged participation across all areas. For new employees, the initiative became their first experience of our culture of care.
Those shared moments of appreciation and belonging sustained our motivation far more than any formal reward could.
Q If you could offer one golden nugget of wisdom to HR professionals aiming for excellence, what would it be?
Don’t seek recognition, just do what’s right.
True HR excellence comes from enabling people to act with empathy and courage. Volunteerism builds character and community at the same time.
When HR leads with authenticity, employees follow with purpose. Real success isn’t the award, it’s seeing your people grow into compassionate ambassadors of your company’s values.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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