Caneel Purpose Group

Guided by Our Stakeholder Compass / Conscious Capitalism

Caneel Purpose Group’s philosophy is to integrate the interests of the various stakeholders below, doing our best to address all of them together rather than just focusing on one group’s interests. Below is our “stakeholder compass” for Caneel which is incorporated into our business model:

CANEEL BAY: THE POSITIVE FUTURE

Guided by this “stakeholder compass“ and the experience of our principal founders described below in maximizing benefits to all stakeholders in their businesses to date, we plan to develop a five-star resort hotel at Caneel Bay that is fully integrated with the community and best includes the interests of everyone involved.  

Caneel Purpose’s founders have deeply integrated Conscious Capitalism principles into their businesses by including the interests of all stakeholders in their business models.    The Conscious Capitalism model has gained great traction in recent years (see its website at https://www.consciouscapitalism.org), including with the definitive book on it by CPG principal John Mackey, but still, only a small percentage of US companies follow it. It includes having a higher purpose and integrating the needs of all stakeholders, along with conscious management and culture.  (The Stakeholder Compass above was developed for Caneel from that model.)

Caneel Purpose believes that a business run on those principles will be far more attuned to the interests of St. Johnians and Virgin Islanders than those that are not — eg, those run on the traditional corporate model putting shareholders first, as is likely for RFP bidders such as large hotel chains and real estate companies. 

The benefits to the community

• Providing year-round local employment; base wages starting at $20 an hour with profit-sharing
• Tribute to local cultural traditions and the archeological resources; including the development of an on-resort heritage museum
• Percentage of profits will be donated to a Community Development Fund made up of leaders from key community organizations
• Payment of a fair royalty to the US Virgin Island National Park
• Expand public access to Caneel Bay’s beaches and facilities for the enjoyment of the community.
• Local arts and crafts marketplace available for vendors at resort
• Development of a community center, hurricane shelter and convention center
• On-site training for culinary & hotel administration in cooperation with University of the Virgin Islands

Purpose / Community Support

• EDC benefits will not be pursued. We plan to pay our taxes to further support the US Virgin Islands’ economy
• Maximum transparency to the community on all our work and initiatives as part of our continuing outreach. 
• CPG’s commitment, as part of its business model, to fully consider the interests of all its stakeholders, including team members, the community and the natural environment along with customers and investors.
• With sufficient community support, redevelopment of Caneel commencing soon (in 2021), with jobs and other benefits to the community, rather than in late 2023 or 2024 as would be required for a public bid / RFP process.
• Community members are asked to assist this effort by submitting an email of support to policy makers.  (See link below)