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Updated: 9 min 43 sec ago

SOCAP10- Social Capital Markets Conference

2 hours 4 min ago
Now in its third year, SOCAP 10 is the largest interdisciplinary gathering of individuals and institutions at the intersection of money and meaning. Impact Investors, social entrepreneurs, funders, and other innovators come to SOCAP to build a movement. SOCAP 10 will seek to answer the question ‘What’s Next?’ for the social capital markets. Participants can dive into one of seven tracks to see where the money is moving, how deals are getting done and who is pushing boundaries across the landscape. Keynotes include: Jacqueline Novogratz, The Acumen Fund Matt Flanery, Kiva.org Julie Sunderland, The Gates Foundation William Foote, Root Capital Woody Tasch, Slow Money Over 100 speakers including: Steve Goldberg, Author of Billions of Drops in Millions of Buckets: Why Philanthropy Doesn’t Advance Social Progress Don Shaffer, RSF Social Finance Dave Chen, Equilibrium Capital and more...
Categories: SR News

Timberland Brings Environmental Heroism to Life With New Nature Needs Heroes(TM) Marketing Campaign

2 hours 4 min ago
Building on a rich history of environmental action and innovation that includes planting one million trees in China's Horqin Desert, developing the Earthkeepers(TM) line of environmentally-forward products and launching an online "Earthkeepers movement" to motivate environmental behavior change, The Timberland Company (NYSE: TBL) today announced its biggest and most environmentally-focused marketing campaign yet -- Nature Needs Heroes(TM). Launching globally over the next several weeks, the campaign showcases Timberland's Earthkeepers collection. Made with materials like recycled rubber and recycled PET (one and a half plastic bottles are used in each pair of Earthkeepers boots), Earthkeepers product is one of the company's leading and fastest growing product collections. The Nature Needs Heroes campaign also seeks to inspire consumers to consider what actions they might take to be "heroes" for the outdoors themselves. "This campaign marks the culmination of our work to connect consumers to what we're doing as a company to have a positive environmental impact," explained Jim Davey, Timberland's VP of Global Marketing. "It's our biggest and best effort to date to not just share our own stories and initiatives, but to also engage consumers in a broader effort to care for the environment." Our Nature Needs Heroes campaign employs outdoor imagery and light-hearted humor to help convey the serious message of environmental accountability -- the notion that even small acts of environmental action make a difference. The campaign is being executed through a variety of channels, including TV and print advertising, 3D displays in select Timberland retail stores worldwide, social media and an interactive microsite. "We hope the variety of elements in this campaign -- from digital and social to in-store to more traditional media -- might encourage all consumers, no matter where they see us, to be drawn in," said Davey. "We want to give consumers the opportunity to learn more about what Timberland is doing to help protect the outdoors, as well as support them in taking environmental action themselves -- whether that action is buying a pair of boots or planting a tree." Specific elements of the Nature Needs Heroes campaign include:
  • "Lost Bottle" Advertising -- Depicts how even small acts can make a difference when one environmentally-heroic moment (recycling a runaway water bottle) becomes an adrenaline-fueled outdoor experience. Television ads will air in Europe, Asia and North America during high-profile live sports and prime time and late night programs. Print advertising will appear in Europe throughout the fall.
  • Nature Needs HeroesMicrosite -- Playing off the humorously heroic focus of the "Lost Bottle" advertising, the microsite suspends time and takes site visitors into a frozen moment using 360-degree imagery and high definition 3D technology. "The Nature Needs Heroes campaign is the first time a major brand blends this combination of leading-edge technologies to challenge the way audiences can experience a story," said Mads Holst, creative director and managing partner at Holst Digital, the creative agency that designed the microsite. "By focusing on the simplicity of the idea, but executing it in a uniquely progressive way, we have created an experience that perfectly complements Timberland's approach to product innovation and stewardship of the outdoors."
  • Retail Windows -- Timberland takes the 3D technology from the Nature Needs Heroes microsite straight to the street in select Timberland retail stores worldwide. Store windows feature oversized 3D graphics which consumers can experience using complimentary 3D glasses (made with recycled materials) available in store. Point-of-purchase displays depict an x-ray into the Earthkeepers 2.0 boot -- a visual representation of Timberland's commitment to product transparency, which also highlights the company's use of recycled and renewable materials.
  • Virtual Forest -- Under the Nature Needs Heroes banner, consumers can create their own heroic moments on Facebook with the new Timberland Earthkeepers "Virtual Forest" application. Users are invited to create their own forest (or join a friend's), which will result in Timberland planting live trees in Haiti to supplement its reforestation project there. Due to launch in late September, the application will also showcase a series of videos that chronicle the tree planting projects that Timberland has established in Gonaives, Haiti.
The campaign breaks today (September 2), when the Nature Needs Heroes microsite launches and store windows are unveiled in the U.S. About Timberland Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under the Timberland(R), Timberland PRO(R), SmartWool(R), Timberland Boot Company(R), Mountain Athletics(R), Howies(R) and IPATH(R) brands, all of which offer quality workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature. The company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland(R) retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. Timberland's dedication to making quality products is matched by the company's commitment to "doing well and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.
Categories: SR News

Associates from The Home Depot Complete 90 Volunteer Projects in 30 Days

2 hours 4 min ago
MEDIA ADVISORY - WHO: Team Depot Volunteers WHAT: September is Celebration of Service month at The Home Depot, and this year's theme is "30 Days of Green." Team Depot volunteers will complete 90 volunteer projects nationwide during the month. From building playgrounds to planting trees to refurbishing homes and community centers, Home Depot associates will use their DIY talents to make a lasting physical impact in their communities. Each project will follow simple green guidelines to reduce waste, use environmentally-friendly materials, use less water and reduce energy use on the day of the project and into the future. The goal: to ensure that what's left behind makes a positive contribution to the local community for years to come. The 90 projects completed during September are part of the 1,500+ volunteer projects that Team Depot will complete in 2010. WHEN & WHERE: Selected locations nationwide. See www.homedepotfoundation.org for a summary of completed projects. Project examples below:
    September 2 Braddock, PA Playground build with Heritage Community Initiatives September 10 Fort Lauderdale, FL Work on three Habitat homes September 11 Albuquerque, NM Refurbishing of The Gathering Place community center September 23 Colorado Springs, CO Facility improvements at the 8th Street Recovery Homes September 30 Atlanta, GA Playground build at Grove Park Elementary School September 30 Flint, MI Planting and landscaping at the Urban League
WHY: For more than 30 years, Home Depot associates have worked with their neighbors to make their communities a better place. From the time The Home Depot's very first store opened in 1978, participating in and giving back to communities has been a core value of the Company. Through the efforts of The Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot volunteers, The Home Depot donates millions of dollars and thousands of hours each year to refurbish healthy homes, parks and playgrounds and plant community trees. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $190 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 95,000 homes, planted more than 1.2 million trees, and built or refurbished more than 1,875 playgrounds, parks and greenspaces. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org and follow the Foundation on Twitter @homedepotfdn. INTERVIEWS: Interviews available:
  • Team Depot volunteers / The Home Depot associates
  • Representatives from the partner nonprofit associations
  • Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation
VISUALS: On site media photography and video of volunteer projects underway. The Home Depot Foundation can also provide photos and video to media outlets.
Categories: SR News

ING Awards $120,000 in Grants to Combat Childhood Obesity

2 hours 4 min ago
ING today announced that it has awarded 60 schools across the U.S. with $2,000 grants to help students combat childhood obesity by getting them more active through school-based running programs. Through its ING Run For Something Better® School Awards Program, financial services leader ING, in partnership with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), is helping to introduce fourth- through eighth-grade students across the country to the benefits of running and making healthy lifestyle choices. Sixty schools will receive $2,000 in funding to support a minimum of an eight-week running program that will conclude with a culminating running event in celebration of the students' achievements. Schools can download unique running lesson plans developed by NASPE and based on the National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE, 2004) to serve as the foundation of the running program or to supplement an existing school program. Other program materials, such as sample eight-week training plans, distance logs and a running journal, will aid in the development of running skills and preparation for a culminating running event. "ING is pleased to provide grants to schools across the nation to help them engage students in healthy lifestyles changes, personal development, goal-setting and group participation," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president, ING's Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs. "Understanding the connection between student achievement and physical well being, we are committed to making it easier for educators to empower their students to achieve a better future. ING Run For Something Better allows us to make a positive impact on educators and their students." Grant awards were available in all states and the District of Columbia to elementary or middle schools for running programs that targeted fourth- through eighth-grade students. Over 350 schools applied for the 2010 ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program. A NASPE review board consisting of 190 teachers and education administrators reviewed all applications. In 2009, the ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program awarded 50 grants to schools in 22 states providing 2,804 students the opportunity to discover running as a fun and easy way to increase physical activity and learn how to make healthy lifestyles choices. Students participating in the program ran a total of 98,146 miles -- that's almost four times around the world! "NASPE has seen first-hand the positive, direct impact this program is having on students nationwide," explained NASPE Executive Director Charlene Burgeson. "Data submitted to NASPE from participating schools showed an average 16.6% increase in aerobic cardiovascular endurance in students from the start to the conclusion of these running programs. NASPE is proud to be part of an effort that is making real changes in the lives of our nation's youth, giving them the opportunities and tools needed to build a foundation for healthy and active lives." Research has shown that running is a great physical activity for promoting good health and self-confidence. It qualifies as a life sport; one in which participants are likely to maintain over their life spans. Running helps build strong bones and muscles, contributes to fitness, and lends itself to personal goal-setting. Additionally, recent research has shown that students who are healthy and physically active are more likely to be motivated, attentive, and successful academically. To learn more about the impact of this program and how to get your school involved, including downloading program materials, visit www.naspeinfo.org/run. About ING ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million residential, corporate and institutional clients in more than 40 countries. With a diverse workforce of about 105,000 people, ING is dedicated to setting the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future. In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, and financial planning. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves nearly 30 million customers across the nation. ING's diversity management philosophy and commitment to workforce diversity, diversity marketing, corporate citizenship and supplier diversity fosters an inclusive environment for employees that supports a distinctive product and service experience for the financial services consumer. For more information, visit www.ing.us. About the ING Run For Something Better® The ING Run For Something Better® helps fund school-based running programs in an effort to combat childhood obesity before it ever begins. Linked to ING's commitment to education, the program helps introduce kids to the benefits of sport, a habit of physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle. Nationally, ING has committed over $2.5 million to fund grants and school-based running programs through ING Run For Something Better. Since 2006, close to one million dollars has also been raised by individual donors through a special charitable fund to encourage others to support the cause by making their own contributions. When someone donates $10 or more to the ING Run For Something Better, ING will recognize their contribution by giving them a special pair of orange shoelaces to wear showing that they are "tied" to supporting kids' fitness. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to the ING Run For Something Better fitness programs. For more information about the orange laces, go to www.orangelaces.com. About the ING Foundation The ING Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities where ING operates and its employees and customers live. Through charitable giving and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on sustainable programs in the areas of financial literacy, children's education, diversity and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit www.ing-usafoundation.com. About NASPE The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE's 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.
Categories: SR News

Children International Expedites Relief to Poor Children Around the World and Reduces Operational Costs With New Donations Management System

2 hours 4 min ago
/PRNewswire/ - Children International, a Kansas City-based nonprofit organization, announces the Aidmatrix Foundation has completed implementation of a web platform enabling the charity to accept donated supplies to help poor children and families around the world. The platform was donated in part by Aidmatrix and is valued at $250,000. Use of the system is projected to save Children International up to $3 million in annual expenses while significantly reducing the amount of time and effort used in the procurement of gifts-in-kind donations, thus freeing up more funding to help children in need. The platform helps Children International manage their product donations more efficiently. Items such as clothes, textbooks, school supplies, shoes, hygiene items and medical supplies needed to help children and families living in poverty around the world are donated by Children International corporate partners through the website. The new web platform will also provide Children International and its international agencies throughout Latin America, Asia, Africa and the United States the ability to post their needs on the Aidmatrix Network and share them with all the members. Children International CEO and President Jim Cook says, "We are committed to operating Children International's Gifts-in-Kind program as effectively and efficiently as possible. Using Aidmatrix is enhancing our ability to reach out to children and families in dire need of the support from our generous corporate donors." Children International has a robust gifts-in-kind program that has shipped more than $52 million worth of textbooks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene items and medical supplies to their partner agencies around the world in the last year. The Aidmatrix platform will save the organization $3 million each year and a significant amount of time and effort used in the procurement of gifts-in-kind donations. Aidmatrix is a nonprofit organization and was able to grant a large portion of the Donations Management Module to Children International. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childreninternational/40377/ About The Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. The Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. builds and operates powerful technology hubs that support diverse stakeholder groups in their efforts to work together to solve the world's most challenging humanitarian crises. Our solutions enhance participation, amplify contributions, and accelerate results for humanitarian relief. More than 35,000 leading corporate, nonprofit and government partners leverage our solutions to mobilize more than $1.5 billion in aid annually, worldwide. The donated goods, money and services impact the lives of more than 65 million people. Aidmatrix is a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA, with offices in Wisconsin, Germany and India. www.aidmatrix.org About Children International Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International's programs benefit more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.
Categories: SR News

FedEx and NFWF Target Urban Restoration

2 hours 4 min ago
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and FedEx have announced nine grant awards that will enable urban residents across the country to take action on local environmental challenges. The Five Star Restoration Program grants will fund a range of projects, from restoring ocean-side bluffs in Golden Gate National Park to re-planting neglected urban forests in Philadelphia. Additional project locations include Boston, Indianapolis, Memphis, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and the greater Los Angeles area. The Five Star Restoration Program is a partnership among NFWF, National Association of Counties, the Wildlife Habitat Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, supported by additional contributions from private partners like FedEx. Since 1999, Five Star has supported 515 projects with more than $4.25 million in federal funds, $1.7 million in private and corporate contributions and $17.5 million in matching funds at the local level. "The hallmark of our Five Star Restoration Program is building long-term community partnerships," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director of NFWF. "By actively participating in these projects and encouraging others to join them, FedEx and its team members around the nation are leading the way to protect and restore our urban spaces." "Through our program EarthSmart Outreach, FedEx and its team members can contribute to their communities in environmentally-focused ways," said Mitch Jackson, vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability at FedEx. "Working with NFWF, we are able to find, fund and volunteer for projects important to our local communities, and where we can help make our communities cleaner and healthier." In many cases, the grants support not only restoration activities but also education, so that participants can learn about the impact of their actions on wetlands, carbon emissions, water quality and wildlife habitats. The FedEx-sponsored Five Star Restoration Program grants for 2010-20011 were awarded to:
  • Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, San Francisco, for Presidio Coastal Bluffs restoration
  • Temple University, Philadelphia, for tree-planting in Fairmount Park and education
  • Student Conservation Association in Boston for plant and wildlife restoration in the Charles River watershed
  • Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., for restoration, education and planting projects in the Pogue's Run watershed
  • Wolf River Conservancy, Memphis, for restoration on two urban properties involving the Memphis City Schools
  • Trinity Commons Foundation, Dallas, for streamside stabilization and restoration along the Trinity River
  • Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, for a rain garden project to reduce storm water overflow and combined sewage overflow
  • Sausal Creek Eco-Stewards in Oakland, California, for field investigations and classroom projects
  • Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Huntington Beach, California, for habitat restoration and wetlands science education
Throughout the summer of 2010, FedEx collaborated with NFWF to transport hundreds of loggerhead sea turtle nests containing over 25,000 movement- and temperature-sensitive eggs to Florida's Atlantic Coast, protecting the hatchlings from potential impacts of the oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico. About FedEx EarthSmart Outreach: FedEx recently launched EarthSmart Outreach, environmental philanthropy and volunteer programs strategically aligned with business goals. Through a variety of global and local projects, FedEx is advancing its commitment to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways. The goal is to make communities cleaner, healthier and more efficient by encouraging sustainable transportation, green urban spaces and resilient ecosystems. All EarthSmart Outreach projects provide significant environmental and community benefits while leveraging the skills and expertise of FedEx team members. About FedEx Corp.: FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com. About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF): Established by Congress in 1984, NFWF is the nation's leader in directing federal agency dollars to protect wildlife and natural resources while raising private capital to leverage those investments. In 25 years, NFWF has funded 3,700 organizations and leveraged $490 million in federal funds into $1.6 billion for conservation. The Foundation creates public-private partnerships that bring together diverse stakeholders - from industry to Congress and local leaders - to accomplish positive outcomes.
Categories: SR News

Ford Uses Innovative Liquid-Cooled Battery System to Help Focus Electric Owners Maximize Range

2 hours 4 min ago
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -
  • The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in late 2011 in the U.S. and 2012 in Europe, will be powered by a lithium-ion battery system that utilizes cooled and heated liquid to regulate battery temperature, extend battery life and maximize driving range
  • The innovative thermal management technology helps the Focus Electric operate efficiently in a range of ambient temperatures
  • Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles Ford will deliver over the next three years in North America and Europe. The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant
The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in the U.S. late next year and in Europe in 2012, will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery that utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and gas-free driving range. Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of all-electric vehicles because extreme temperatures can affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. Ford has chosen an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions. "All-electric vehicles do not have a conventional engine on board, so it is critical we maximize the performance of the battery under various operating temperatures," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. "Active liquid systems are more effective than air systems at regulating lithium-ion battery temperature. As a result, the active liquid system on Focus Electric will play a key role in providing our customers with the best performance possible." The active liquid cooling and heating system also enables the Focus Electric to automatically precondition the battery pack temperature during daily recharging. When the vehicle is plugged in to the power grid, the vehicle system will be able to warm up the battery on cold days and cool it down on hot days. The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant and will be available in late 2011. The vehicle will have an expected range of up to 100 miles and use no gasoline at all. Battery thermal management in action While air-cooling methods work well for many of today's smaller car battery systems, the larger, more complex lithium-ion battery technology powering Ford's all-electric vehicles calls for an aggressive thermal management system. An active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions. On hot days, chilled water absorbs heat from the batteries, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On cold days, heated water warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system's temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance. "Extreme temperatures impact a battery's life and performance, making it crucial to have an effective cooling and heating system to regulate temperature for these demanding applications," said Anand Sankaran, Ford executive technical leader, Energy Storage and HV Systems. The liquid cooling system also plays a role in charging the vehicle. When the all-electric Focus is plugged in to recharge, the vehicle control system will automatically precondition the battery, if needed, to the optimal temperature before accepting charge. If the battery is already at the optimal temperature, the system will automatically accept charge and maintain an optimal temperature. "We are working closely with our technology partners to accelerate the development of our lithium-ion battery systems to help our future EV customers get the most out of their vehicles," Marakby said. "Our goal is to build an electric vehicle that delivers on the quality and performance customers have come to expect from Ford." Focus Electric is one of five electrified vehicles Ford will release over the next three years. In addition to the Focus Electric, the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van arrives in late 2010, followed by two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013. Electrified vehicles are one part of Ford's broader strategy to offer a wide range of environmentally friendly, advanced technology solutions to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions affordably for customers around the world. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com. NOTE TO EDITORS: Go to www.media.ford.com for news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video.
Categories: SR News

13th Annual Henry Schein Back-to-School Program Serves Record Number of Children

2 hours 4 min ago
/PRNewswire/ - Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is helping a record number of children return to school wearing new outfits and carrying backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene products through the 13th annual Henry Schein Back-to-School program. This year, the Back-to-School program is supporting more than 2,200 children in 15 U.S. and Canadian cities. Since its creation in 1998, this flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program, has served approximately 11,000 children throughout North America. The largest of the Back-to-School event will take place today at the Company's world headquarters in Melville, N.Y. A picnic, including dinner, games and music, will be held for nearly 600 Long Island children who were identified with the help of eight local social service agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. During the event, the children will receive their backpacks, as well as new, first day back-to-school outfits personally selected and paid for by Team Schein Members. Additional Henry Schein Back-to-School events have taken place throughout August in Denver, Pa.; Sparks, Nev.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Bastian, Va.; Indianapolis, Ind.; West Allis, Wis.; Grapevine, Texas; American Fork, Utah; Greenville, S.C.; Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Calgary, Alberta; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Vancouver, British Columbia. "Of our many annual Henry Schein Cares events, the Back-to-School program is special because it so closely links Team Schein Members with children in many of the local communities where we operate," said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein. "We also are very grateful to our supplier partners and the many local businesses that have generously donated products or provided other support for the program. Back-to-School truly is a labor of love for Team Schein that we believe enhances the overall wellness of the participating children, whose smiles make preparing for this event very rewarding." To help identify children to participate in the 2010 Back-to-School event at Henry Schein's headquarters, the Company partnered with Family and Children's Association / Family Ties; MPowering Kids; the Nassau County Department of Social Services; the Family Service League; YES Community Counseling; the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club; and MercyFirst. "School can be challenging enough for children without the added burden of inadequate clothing or supplies," said Mark Wenzel, Assistant Director of YES Community Counseling, which is participating in Henry Schein's Back-to-School program for the first time this year. "These fashionable new outfits and filled backpacks will help participating children fit in more comfortably with their classmates and enable them to focus their attention on what is really important--making the most of their educational opportunity." In addition to advancing wellness, activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on building capacity in the delivery of health care services and enhancing emergency preparedness and relief. To view photos and video from the Henry Schein Back-To-School program, please visit http://www.henryschein.com/us-en/Corporate/BackToSchool.aspx. About Henry Schein Henry Schein, a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 600,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 13,500 people and has operations or affiliates in 23 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $6.5 billion in 2009. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.
Categories: SR News

SRI in the Rockies Conference Announces 2010 Agenda

2 hours 4 min ago
SRI in the Rockies, the largest and longest-running conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in the world, has announced the agenda for its 21st annual event. SRI in the Rockies is a meeting place for industry leaders and businesses striving to be good corporate citizens, along with investors, investment professionals, and organizations working to direct the flow of investment capital in transformative ways. This year’s conference will be held at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, November 18–21, 2010. The 2010 conference, Responsible Investing in a Changing Financial Landscape will be presented and produced by First Affirmative Financial Network in collaboration with many other organizations within the SRI industry. Conference attendees can access an "early bird" registration discount through September 28, 2010. "SRI in the Rockies offers a unique opportunity to meet and learn from passionate, creative people from all corners of the SRI industry around the world," said Steve Schueth, President of First Affirmative. "There is simply no better place than SRI in the Rockies to gain a rich appreciation of the issues socially conscious investors care about. I conservatively estimate that well over $1 trillion will be represented at this year’s conference." Global thought leaders will be presenting at SRI in the Rockies, including:
  • Geeta Aiyer, President and Founder of Boston Common Asset Management
  • Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians; executive member of the International Forum on Globalization; Councilor with the World Future Council
  • David Brancaccio, a specialist in telling stories important to our democracy and our economy through the eyes of the people who live in the cross-hairs of crucial issues
  • Amy Domini, Founder and CEO of Domini Social Investments; member of the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people, Time magazine, 2005
  • Riane Eisler, social scientist, attorney, and author of The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics, and The Chalice and The Blade: Our History, Our Future
  • Jed Emerson, internationally recognized Thought Leader in sustainability, sustainable finance, impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and strategic philanthropy
  • Christopher Flavin, President of the Worldwatch Institute
  • Christopher Hoenig, President and CEO of The State of the USA
  • Michael Jantzi, CEO of Sustainalytics, a global platform for ESG analysis
  • Joe Keefe, JD, President and CEO, Pax World Management and Pax World Funds
  • Peter Knight, President of Generation Investment Management in the U.S.
  • Nicholas Parker, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the Cleantech group
  • Heike Reichelt, head of Investor Relations and New Products, Capital Markets Department, The World Bank
  • Simran Sethi, Emmy award-winning journalist; associate professor, University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Laurie J. Spengler, JD, President and CEO, ShoreBank International Ltd.
SRI in the Rockies will showcase innovative investment strategies that incorporate in-depth analysis of environmental, social, and governance issues. The 650 expected conference attendees will include licensed investment professionals, asset managers, analysts, community development banks and credit unions, religious organizations, and other non-profit organizations that work with investor advocates on various social change initiatives. First Affirmative will host a pre-conference Summit Camp for brokers, financial planners, and investment advisors November 16–18, 2010. Investment professionals who are interested in connecting with the nationwide First Affirmative Financial Network are invited to contact Danielle Burns at 877-542-8583 / danielleburns@firstaffirmative.com for more information. To register to attend the SRI in the Rockies Conference, please go to http://www.sriintherockies.com/register.jsp. Early registration ends September 28th. For assistance with registration and sponsorships, please contact Conference Coordinator, Krystala Kalil, at 888-774-2663 / Krystala@SRIintheRockies.com. About First Affirmative Financial Network First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (www.FirstAffirmative.com) is an independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-56587). The company, which manages about $635 million in client portfolios, offers consulting and asset management services through a nationwide network of investment professionals who specialize in serving socially conscious investors. First Affirmative produces the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference (www.SRIintheRockies.com), the premier conference for the sustainable and responsible investment industry in North America.
Categories: SR News

Bon Appetit Management Company Asks Everyone to Harvest Near Home

2 hours 4 min ago
Eight years before the New Oxford American Dictionary added the word "locavore" to its pages, Bon Appétit Management Company committed to using local foods on its college, corporate and specialty café menus. In 1999, Bon Appétit launched its Farm to Fork program, a company-wide commitment to buy from small, owner-operated farms located within 150 miles of their cafés. Eleven years later, the food service company's sixth annual Eat Local Challenge on September 28, 2010 will involve both professional and home chefs. Chefs at Bon Appétit Management Company's 400-plus cafes will prepare a meal using only local ingredients from farms and other suppliers within a 150-mile radius. Facebook fans are invited to participate as well: an iPad loaded with Culinate.com's electronic app of Mark Bittman's iconic cookbook, "How to Cook Everything," will be awarded to one randomly selected participant who posts his or her menu that uses only locally sourced ingredients. The company's chefs already spend tens of millions of dollars annually with local producers, re-inventing the food supply chain one café at a time. By focusing on a single day when diners can eat a meal made 100% of foods (other than salt) from local suppliers, café guests can enjoy meals sourced from their own community while company chefs have the opportunity to engage new farmers and artisans. Despite the size of the company, Bon Appétit's local chefs operate with creative autonomy, establishing close and collaborative relationships with local farmers and artisans and working to build seasonal, farm-fresh menus unique to their region. "We designed the Eat Local Challenge to push ourselves, to throw down the gauntlet to our chefs and employees, and to ask ourselves to exceed our own standards," says Fedele Bauccio, Bon Appétit’s CEO. "Supporting local farmers and artisans is a part of our culture, and we always work to find new and creative ways to expand on our commitment." Ambitious Goal to Grow Local Employee-led "Farm to Fork" Program Along with the Eat Local Challenge, another clear challenge has been issued by Mr. Bauccio to the company's chefs: they are striving to source from a total of 1,000 small, owner-operated farms and artisan producers in the company’s Farm to Fork program by 2011. Farm to Fork, Bon Appétit’s commitment to purchasing as much as possible within 150 miles of its kitchens, enables superior flavor, higher nutritional value and overall premium quality in foods served at the company’s restaurants. This is accomplished by using fresh, seasonably available produce and artisanal ingredients from conscientious suppliers – including dairy products, cooking oils, meats, fruits and vegetables. Local Bon Appétit Chefs Lead the Initiative; Café Staff Flex their Culinary Muscle at Home The company is also challenging its hourly employees to execute an Eat Local Challenge in their own home kitchens. Café staff who prepare a 100% local meal in the month of September will get the chance to win a paid day off. Says Bauccio, "We all know how hard it can be to work full-time and cook for your family. We want to encourage a culinary culture that celebrates the flavors of the season, one that all our staff can be proud of, whether in our cafés or in their own kitchens." Four lucky winners will be selected randomly, and everyone who participates will get a special mention on the company's Facebook page. Social Media Gets Locally Delicious By opening the Eat Local Challenge to the public, the company is challenging home cooks to create their own 100% local meal. Participants are asked to post their menu and a photo of the completed dish on the Eat Local Challenge page on Facebook, where they can share their experiences of sourcing, preparing and serving their locavore dishes. "When pushed to the challenge, professional chefs and at-home cooks alike can discover terrific new dishes and serve exciting, flavorful meals," says Bauccio. "When you use farm-fresh tomatoes, sustainably-grown greens, and organic poultry, you see a clear advantage these foods have over their factory-farm counterparts. These are the methods and meals our grandparents once employed and enjoyed." And something the grandchildren are rediscovering. Facebook fans have already weighed in on how they currently or will soon source and prep local foods at home:
  • "Greetings from The Garden State… turns out it is indeed with all the nearby peaches, blueberries, corn and outstanding tomatoes and more … all within 6 miles."
  • "I love this! I will definitely be cooking a totally local menu …"
  • "I am hosting a potluck cookout – only locally produced foods allowed!"
  • "We sometimes get so wrapped up in looking at the distance that we don't see what is right in our neighborhood. Explore, discover, taste the wonders nature has to offer."
  • "There's nothing like taking a bite of a tomato straight of the vine on a warm summer day. So much to discover and cook with. The possibilities are endless."
In addition to the iPad grand prize, the first 50 people to complete all the steps in the Eat Local Challenge will also receive the Bittman app, which contains the entire contents of his book, "How to Cook Everything," and features over 2,000 recipes. About Bon Apptit Management Company Bon Appétit Management Company (www.bamco.com) is an onsite restaurant company offering full food service management to corporations, universities and specialty venues. Bon Appétit is committed to sourcing sustainable, local foods for all cafés throughout the country. A pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, Bon Appétit has developed programs addressing local purchasing, the overuse of antibiotics, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs, the connection between food and climate change, and most recently, farm workers' rights. The company has received numerous awards for its work from organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council, Seafood Choices Alliance, The Humane Society of the United States, and Food Alliance. Based in Palo Alto, CA, Bon Appétit has more than 400 cafés in 30 states, including eBay, the University of Pennsylvania and the Getty Center.
Categories: SR News

Arts and Culture Experts Explore Best Ways to Serve Audiences, Visitors and Donors at 10th Annual Tessitura Conference

2 hours 4 min ago
PRNewswire/ -- More than 900 representatives from 215 arts and cultural organizations, which are members of Tessitura Network Inc. (tessituranetwork.com) and license holders of Tessitura software, met during August 2010 in Washington, D.C. They presented and shared their experiences using Tessitura's innovative software that provides a single enterprise database for all constituents who support and attend events and performances at theaters, arts centers, museums, festivals and other nonprofit organizations. Tessitura members are executives and administrators, fundraisers, marketers, web and social media specialists, and box office managers for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with annual operating budgets ranging from less than $1 million up to $300 million. According to its licensees, Tessitura software supported tens of millions of ticketing and admissions transactions and processed hundreds of millions in donations during 2009. Tessitura unites many functions Tessitura software records, tracks and manages ticketing, subscriptions and memberships, fundraising, marketing, web-based activities and customer relationships for arts and cultural organizations. "Not only does our software integrate data, it also provides a platform for collaboration among departments at arts and cultural organizations that previously operated in silos," explains Jack Rubin, president of Tessitura Network since its inception in 2002. "The goal of our annual meeting is to share insights, knowledge and best practices among nonprofits arts and cultural organizations," says Rubin. Licensees report dramatic results "The Future Starts Here: The Next Big Things on the Web," "Finding the Right Balance: Financial Reconciliation" and "You've Got Mail: Email Redefined" were among the many educational and knowledge-sharing sessions, presented in 14 concurrent tracks every day, focused on areas such as improving productivity, Web analytics and integrating e-commerce into the business practices of arts and cultural groups. Other sessions, including "ROI or LOL? Measuring Social Media Effectiveness," explored how social media can assist with capturing new audiences and visitors as well as building their engagement and loyalty. And, conference attendees also cited numerous ways using Tessitura software has had a positive impact on their bottom line. Lisa Middleton, director of marketing and audience development for Stratford Festival of Canada, which produces 700 performances in four venues annually, is currently comfortably handling a 30 percent increase in call volume without increasing staff. This is attributed to Tessitura software being integrated with a telephone system that tracks and routes inbound and outbound calls for tickets and contributions. The call center handles almost 60 percent of all ticket sales. London-based Marc Sheppard, head of ticketing services for Royal Albert Hall, shared how ticketing arrangements for BBC Proms this year were revolutionized by developing and implementing new online functionality using Tessitura software that handled as many as 260 transactions per minute. In 2010, on the first day of sale 80,000 tickets were sold compared with 8,000 sold on the first day of sale in 2009. Of the 80,000 tickets sold, 65,000 were sold online and the rest by phone or in person. According to Sheppard, the new arrangement replaced a paper-based request system where customers mailed their ticket request only to learn some weeks later whether or not they had been successful. Sharon Grayton, director of data standards for Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, reported that processing installment payments for season subscribers now takes about an hour instead of days. "It was great to run a Tessitura report on the morning of the first of July and see that we had received second payments of $450,000 before 9 a.m.," said Grayton. And Yvonne Bazinet, accounting supervisor of The Granada in Santa Barbara, is realizing a 50 percent reduction in reserve for bad debt thanks to Tessitura's tracking features. "Tessitura's purpose is to unify customer, donor and community outreach relationship management within an organization on a real-time basis. This way, everyone is on the 'same page' and the organization benefits from an enterprise-wide view of all its relationships, touch points and transactions. Our licensees have reported positive results that have been transformational in nature," says Rubin. Significant enhancements planned "As one of the original licensees, I am proud of Tessitura because it is a stable, trusted platform with a solid organization behind it," said Alan Levine, chairman of the board of Tessitura and chief information officer for Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "This conference gives us the ability to entertain a broad array of new ideas because we have a solid platform on which to build for the future of our licensees." In addition to numerous instructive sessions on how to leverage the power of Tessitura software for planning, tracking and reporting, Chuck Reif, Tessitura senior vice president, development and technical, conducted with his team a series of fact-finding discussions with network members about the future technology needs of Tessitura users. He also reviewed enhanced software features now available to Tessitura licensees that are a result of the Network mission focus to "continually innovate." "Their ideas and suggestions are more helpful than any traditional focus group. Our members use our software every day and because they're on the frontline of customer service, they best understand the needs of their organization. As we evolve Tessitura's technology for the future, we want to be sure we're focused on the highest value areas," says Reif. "While we have fine-tuned many aspects of Tessitura's current functionality and are fortunate to have the leading product in the industry, we have reached a critical point in our software's development. It is time to explore the best ways to add even more new capabilities and open interfaces with other technology and systems, including social media interfaces," adds Reif, who was project manager of the team at the Metropolitan Opera that developed the initial software now known as Tessitura Software. The conference's 180 sessions were planned by 103 Tessitura users from 63 organizations located in six countries with the leadership of conference chairman Don Youngberg, Tessitura vice president, consulting and learning resources. "Our conference participants are dedicated to creating modern solutions for established business practices that traditionally have been time-consuming and fragmented," said Youngberg. "Tessitura software is our enabling technology platform for arts and cultural organizations. And as a company, the Tessitura Network facilitates significant advances in the operations of these nonprofit groups. The conference supercharges the sharing of ideas and success stories cross genre, cross geography, cross function and cross organizations of all sizes." FYI To interview Jack Rubin, Chuck Reif and Tessitura Network members in your area who participated in the conference, please send an email to tessnet@skpr.net or contact Dileep Gangolli or Pat Wexler.
Categories: SR News

ITT and Mercy Corps Collaborate to Provide Safe Water and Sanitation to Flood Victims in Pakistan

2 hours 4 min ago
ITT Corporation, in partnership with Mercy Corps, announced today that the company is donating five portable water treatment systems to the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan in response to the recent flooding. Of the more than 15 million people the Pakistan floods are estimated to have affected, the World Health Organization estimates only 1.2 million had access to critical safe water supplies. The water treatment units, which have the potential to provide clean water to as many as 200,000 people, were donated by ITT and are being deployed through Mercy Corps' large-scale humanitarian aid response. This collaborative disaster response is part of a strategic partnership between ITT's corporate citizenship program, ITT Watermark®, and Mercy Corps to provide safe water and sanitation during emergencies. Under the partnership, ITT has established an emergency fund to support Mercy Corps' initial, on-the-ground assessment of short- and long-term needs following a disaster. Within hours of being notified of the Pakistan disaster, ITT authorized Mercy Corps to tap $62,000 of ITT's 2010 emergency response fund to support efforts to provide clean water to flood victims. ITT is also matching all ITT employee donations to Mercy Corps' Pakistan relief efforts. ITT and Mercy Corps' joint activities have included trucking and chlorination of water, repair of water-related infrastructure, and restoration and construction of new water sources. In the Swat Valley alone, ITT’s support has already helped Mercy Corps provide 1.1 million gallons of water to 110,000 people. Mercy Corps' initial assessments in Swat Valley and Sindh province identified an acute need for access to water and sanitation. As many as four million people have been rendered homeless following the worst South Asian floods in 80 years. "We are pleased to be using our expertise in fluid technology to support our partner, Mercy Corps, in providing victims with immediate assistance as well as long-term recovery," said Steve Loranger, chairman, president and chief executive officer, ITT. "Our funds and our products are being used to provide life-saving water and to prevent the spread of waterborne disease." "Flood victims in Pakistan have an enormous and urgent need for clean drinking water; without it, waterborne illnesses can spread rapidly and have a devastating impact," said Randy Martin, Mercy Corps Director of Global Emergency Operations. "We are thrilled that ITT has been so quick and generous in their support. ITT's expertise, equipment and funding have been critical." In the aftermath of disaster, providing safe water and access to adequate sanitation becomes paramount as lack of clean water, combined with poor living conditions, intensifies the threat of waterborne disease. ITT has a strong legacy of supporting communities in need and responding to disasters through its products and expertise. Most recently, ITT responded to the 2010 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti by supporting Mercy Corps and providing portable water treatment systems to help victims. Additionally, ITT was able to offer assistance following the 2008 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Sichuan Province in Western China and after massive flooding in Honduras displaced thousands of people in 2008. About ITT Watermark Launched in August 2008, ITT Watermark's mission is to make a sustainable mark in the world by providing safe water to children and families in need. To accomplish this goal, ITT pledged an initial $4 million over three years (2008-2010) to three nonprofit partners: Water For People, China Women's Development Foundation and Mercy Corps. To date, ITT Watermark has delivered safe water to more than 300,000 people following emergencies in Haiti, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, China, Niger and Honduras. By the end of 2010, the program is also expected to achieve its goal of providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to 300 schools, serving 200,000 students and teachers in India, China, Guatemala and Honduras. For more information, visit www.ittwatermark.com. About ITT Corporation ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company reported 2009 revenue of $10.9 billion. www.itt.com About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn the crises of natural disaster, poverty and conflict into opportunities for progress. Driven by local needs and market conditions, our programs provide communities with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Our worldwide team of 3,700 professionals is improving the lives of 16.7 million people in more than 40 countries. For more information, see www.mercycorps.org.
Categories: SR News

Advent Software Hosts Second Annual 'Advent Gives Back Day'

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Advent Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADVS), a leading provider of software and services for the global investment management industry, today announced that more than 300 Advent employees donated time to help a variety of local non-profit organizations during the Company's second annual 'Advent Gives Back Day' held on August 25, 2010. Organized by employees and in partnership with Hands on Bay Area, 'Advent Gives Back Day' is an extension of Advent Software's commitment to the communities in which its employees live and work. Participants assisted with indoor and outdoor maintenance projects at locations in San Francisco and the East Bay with various organizations including: Alameda Point Collaborative, San Francisco Boys and Girls Clubs, Playworks, Episcopal Community Services, Dr. Charles Drew College Preparatory Academy and Literacy for Environmental Justice. Advent employees also provided job skills and interview coaching at Jewish Vocational Services and Treasure Island Job Corps and assembled care packages, back-to-school backpacks and educational materials for Ronald McDonald House, La Casa de las Madres, Youth Science Institute and YMCA Urban Services. Additional 'Advent Gives Back Day' activities for Advent employees based in New York and Boston are planned for Fall 2010. "Community involvement is a cornerstone of our culture at Advent Software," said Todd Gottula, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Accounts at Advent. "For the second year in a row, 'Advent Gives Back Day' has provided a valuable opportunity for our employees to dedicate time toward making a positive impact in our local communities. We are proud of our employees' involvement and dedication to giving back to local organizations and we are committed to offering more opportunities, such as 'Advent Gives Back Day' that support our commitment to community." Advent's community involvement activities are centered around four areas: employee volunteerism, employee grant requests, corporate-level contributions and employee matching gift program. For more information about Advent Software's Community Involvement commitment, please visit: http://www.advent.com/about/overview/community-involvement. The San Francisco Business Times recently named Advent 'Corporate Education Partner of the Year' and adds Advent to its list of 'Top Corporate Philanthropists in the Greater Bay Area.' About Advent Advent Software, Inc., a global firm, has provided trusted solutions to the world's financial professionals since 1983. Today firms in more than 50 countries rely on Advent technology to run their mission-critical operations. Advent's quality software, data, services and tools enable financial professionals to improve service and communication to their clients, allowing them to grow their business while controlling costs. Advent is the only financial services software company to be awarded the Service Capability and Performance certification for being a world-class support and services organization. For more information on Advent products visit http://www.advent.com/about/resources/demos/pr. The Advent logo, Advent Software and Advent are registered trademarks of Advent Software, Inc. All other company names or marks mentioned herein are those of their respective owners.
Categories: SR News

Seventh Generation Partners With Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to Honor Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

2 hours 4 min ago
The second annual "Let's Talk... Period" campaign honors and supports September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Seventh Generation, maker of organic cotton tampons, created "Let's Talk... Period" in support of Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), the leading organization dedicated to eradicating ovarian cancer, to provide ovarian cancer education and raise funds to support women fighting the disease. For every person that visits www.LetsTalkPeriod.com and registers their email address during September 2010, Seventh Generation will donate $1 in their name to OCRF to support programs for those battling the disease. The donation will be capped at $10,000. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among U.S. women. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and subtle, making it difficult to detect and diagnose. Common symptoms include bloating, pelvic and/or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). If a woman is experiencing these symptoms for two or more weeks, and if they are new and unusual for her, she should see her doctor, according to OCRF. "We value our ongoing partnership with Seventh Generation and are most grateful for their dedication to help drive OCRF donations during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September," said Audra Moran, Chief Executive Officer of OCRF. "By working together, Seventh Generation's consumers and our own supporters will learn more about ovarian cancer, how to detect it and where to go for support." Although almost a quarter of the U.S. population is comprised of menstruating women, gynecological health is rarely openly discussed in social circles. The site will also educate women about alternatives to conventional feminine care products. "Education and dialogue is core to the Seventh Generation philosophy," said Sheila Hollender, Director of Giving for the company. Seventh Generation's chlorine-free organic cotton tampons are designed to offer women the reliable, comfortable protection they need, while reducing the amount of chlorinated toxins and agricultural pesticides released into the environment. About Seventh Generation Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal-care products for your living home. Our products are healthy solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home -- and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation also offers baby products that are safe for your children and the planet. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and making the world a better place for this and the next seven generations. For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit www.seventhgeneration.com. To read more about Seventh Generation's corporate responsibility, visit the Corporate Consciousness Report at: www.seventhgeneration.com/corporate-responsibility/2008. About Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is the largest private non-profit organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding ovarian cancer research. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers and is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. There is no effective means of early detection and only 19% of cases are caught before the cancer has spread beyond the ovary to the pelvic region. Since 1998, OCRF has awarded almost $40 million in research grants to investigators developing innovative strategies for early detection; exploring the genetics that increase risk; identifying new and improved targets for treatments; and deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads and how to stop it. For more information visit www.ocrf.org. YouTube Video Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1344557 Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1344557
Categories: SR News

Corporate Express Challenges Aussie Businesses to Go Green

2 hours 4 min ago
Corporate Express has recently announced two major initiatives designed to encourage and assist Australian businesses to become more environmentally and socially sustainable. Corporate Express' Go Green Guide - for a Greener Workspace aims to encourage and facilitate sustainable procurement for Australian businesses. The guide includes tangible advice and simple 'how to' steps for businesses of all sizes, as well as almost 2,000 EarthSaver -classified(1) products to help businesses make the right purchasing choices. A partnership with GreenBizCheck, an internationally acclaimed environmental certification program, will meanwhile assess and guide businesses on what they need to do in order to make their business more sustainable, without requiring a large time or financial investment. The guide and partnership are the latest market-leading initiatives from Australia's primary single source supplier of office supplies, which has been at the forefront of green business practices for over 10 years. Jennifer Levasseur, CSR Manager at Corporate Express said: "Businesses are increasingly under pressure from staff and customers to 'go green' and they have a responsibility to society beyond profit maximisation and job creation. However, quite often, businesses don't have access to the information they need to make this happen." "We are committed to being an environmentally sustainable company and focussed on helping Australian businesses realise how easy it is to go green – regardless of their size or what industry they work in. The facts and figures included in the guide demonstrate that businesses can minimise the effects they have on the environment, even if they take small steps," Levasseur stated. Go Green Guide, which is 100 per cent recyclable, features:
  • Over 1500 environmentally preferable products across all lines of business;
  • Facts and figures demonstrating the effect all businesses can have on the environment by using environmentally preferable products;
  • Explanations of certification labels to help businesses make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions;
  • An action plan that provides businesses with easy steps on how to start their journey towards creating a greener workspace.
"Even in a challenging financial climate Corporate Express maintained an ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices. Sustainability is part of the way we do business, and our latest initiatives are designed to demonstrate to our customers how they can make it part of their core business principles,” said Paul Hitchcock, CEO of Corporate Express. Earlier this year Corporate Express released its second annual Sustainability Report, which highlighted its significant achievements in the marketplace, environment, community and workplace, such as reducing its gross CO2 emissions by 20% on the previous year. About Corporate Express Corporate Express (CE) is one of Australia's leading suppliers of business products and services, with a product offering including office products, IT solutions, business furniture, print management, canteen and catering supplies, promotional marketing, facility supplies and education products. With over 50 offices around Australia and New Zealand, customers can access products and consolidate orders regardless of location and with next day delivery in most capital cities. In June, Corporate Express also released its 2009 Sustainability Report. The report summarises Corporate Express' initiatives for 2009 and introduces new targets for 2010. The Sustainability Report is available at: www.ce.com.au/Sustainability/Sustainability_Report/sustainability_report.aspx. About GreenBizCheck GreenBizCheck is a global technology-based environmental certification program for business. GreenBizCheck provides certification for offices, retail, IT, food & beverage and recruitment, helping companies to quickly implement sustainable environmental practices which save money, conserve energy, water, resources and minimise waste. (1)The EarthSaver range consists of products which meet specific criteria in relation to recycled content, end of lifecycle management, low ecological footprint, sustainable sourcing or energy conservation/greenhouse benefits.
Categories: SR News

Champion Energy Services Signs Electricity Contract With Elk Grove Park District

2 hours 4 min ago
/PRNewswire/ -- Scott Fordham, president and chief executive officer, today announced that Champion Energy Services (championenergyservices.com) recently secured a contract to provide electric energy for Elk Grove Park District (www.elkgroveparks.org), encompassing approximately 473 acres, 43 parks, sports fields and courts, administrative offices, a water park, theme park, fitness center, museum, golf course, skate park, community centers and banquet facilities. The 36-month electricity contract includes Renewable Energy Certificates that will save an estimated 105 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions — the equivalent of CO2 emissions from 28,909 gallons of gasoline, based on a U.S. non-baseload CO2 emissions rate — over the contract period. "The incorporation of Renewable Energy Certificates in our electricity contract aligns with the park district's focus on environmental protection," said Tom Busby, director of finance for the district. "The positive contribution we can make over the 36-month contract period is truly astounding." "The popularity of energy products sourced from renewable generation using wind, solar energy and biofuels continues to gain momentum," said Fordham, "and we applaud Elk Grove Park District for including green energy components in its electricity contract." About Champion Energy Services www.championenergyservices.com Houston-based Champion Energy Services ranks among the top retail electric providers in the United States. Champion Energy currently serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in deregulated electric energy markets in Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio and is slated to enter the New Jersey and California markets in 2010. The company serves 450,000 residential customer equivalents, with a peak load near 1,200 Megawatts. Champion Energy is backed by the financial strength of Texas-based Crane Capital. PUCT No. 10098, PA PUC license A-2009-2124113, Ohio PUC certificate 09-166E(1), Illinois (ICC) docket 10-0168. About Elk Grove Park District www.elkgroveparks.org The Elk Grove Park District is located in Elk Grove Village, a northwest suburb of Chicago, just 10 minutes from O'Hare International Airport. The park district maintains approximately 473 acres, including 43 parks, 11 public tennis courts, 12 facilities and hundreds of recreation programs. The mission of the Elk Grove Park District is to provide safe and innovative parks and recreational opportunities. By adhering to its mission, the District has won numerous state and national awards over the years. From the highest bond rating possible to recognition for outstanding programs and facilities, the Elk Grove Park District goes beyond the expected and is highly respected in the parks and recreation community.
Categories: SR News

Good Capital Announces $200,000 Investment and Innovative Partnership with Root Capital

2 hours 4 min ago
Good Capital LLC (www.goodcap.net), the San Francisco-based manager of the Social Enterprise Expansion Fund, announced today a $200,000 subordinated loan to Root Capital (www.rootcapital.org), a nonprofit social enterprise that is pioneering finance for rural communities in developing countries. As a part of this groundbreaking impact investment, Good Capital and Root Capital have developed a multi-year, strategic partnership that will focus on finding creative and innovative marketing strategies to build Root Capital's brand and increase its capacity for additional growth. Root Capital provides capital, delivers financial training, and strengthens market connections to small and growing businesses – such as farmer cooperatives – that build sustainable livelihoods and transform rural communities in poor, environmentally vulnerable places. Since its launch in 1999, it has provided more than $200 million in loans to 282 small and growing businesses, representing 400,000 individuals in 30 countries throughout Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Root Capital maintains an impressive 99% repayment rate from its borrowers and a 100% repayment rate to investors. "We have found a non-profit partner willing and able to take on our kind of growth capital to accelerate their social impact and to participate in a deep engagement that aligns our resources and talents with their needs and strategic goals," said Kevin Jones, Partner and Co-founder of Good Capital. "Root Capital provides the global reach, measurable impact and stable financial basis that was already making a huge difference in the world, where Good Capital's unique mix of talent and resources can add something new and essential." Good Capital is an investment firm that increases the flow of capital to innovative ventures creating market-based solutions to inequality and poverty. Using a high engagement model, it invests in the most promising social enterprises and gives them the tools and guidance they need to succeed. In addition, Good Capital actively leads the development of the emerging social capital market. It shares a deep commitment to the creation of a new, informed, and passionate world of investing that strategically moves more capital to good. "We are excited about our partnership with Good Capital and are looking forward to working with them to strengthen our brand and build the critical marketing and communication tools needed to grow our impact," said William Foote, CEO and Founder of Root Capital. "This partnership will help us to strategically identify both the financial and human capital resources needed for us to reach our long-term goals." "It has been a goal of ours to show that it is possible to invest in a wide spectrum of companies with a baked in social mission that ranges from for-profit to nonprofit," said Tim Freundlich, Partner and Co-founder of Good Capital. “Root Capital exemplifies what a high performing nonprofit can be, while this engagement demonstrates the abilities of Good Capital to engage deeply across this spectrum." About Good Capital Good Capital manages the Social Enterprise Expansion Fund, which leverages the power of venture capital to increase the impact of social enterprises. The fund provides growth capital and expertise to expansion stage social enterprises that harness the power of business to create positive social and environmental change in the world. Its mission is to create a new, informed, and passionate world of investing that strategically moves more capital to good. For more information, please visit www.goodcap.net. About Root Capital Root Capital is pioneering finance for grassroots businesses that build sustainable livelihoods and transform rural communities in poor, environmentally vulnerable places. By working with small and growing businesses, it aims to fill the "missing middle" of finance in developing countries – the underserved gap between microfinance and commercial banking. Root Capital is a founding member of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). It receives support from a wide variety of investing and philanthropic sources, including foundations, corporations, socially responsible investment firms, religious
Categories: SR News

A New Standard for Cattle Farms Promotes Sustainable Production

2 hours 4 min ago
The Rainforest Alliance, an international conservation organization, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) -- through the Environmental and Labor Excellence Program for CAFTA-DR (ELE) -- launched today the Standard for Sustainable Cattle Production Systems, a tool that will help cattle farmers implement good environmental, social and animal-welfare practices and enable them to voluntarily apply for the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal of approval. This is the first tropical sustainable cattle standard developed for a voluntary certification system. It will be available to cattle farms in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania that are interested in improving their environmental, social, labor and operational performance and marketing their products with the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. The standard, which only applies to farms where cattle have access to pasture, includes the following principles: integrated management systems, sustainable pasture management, animal welfare and carbon-footprint reduction. Together with the existing environmental, social and labor criteria of the general Sustainable Agriculture Standard, the cattle-farming criteria will be used to conduct future certification audits. This initiative is expected to help mitigate many of the problems associated with cattle production, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and animal abuse and cruelty. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately 26 percent of the Earth's surface is used for pasture, and cattle production is one of the main drivers of deforestation. In addition, cattle farms are responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The cattle certification standard is the result of efforts by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), whose Secretariat is based at the Rainforest Alliance offices in San José, Costa Rica. The development of the standard began with a public consultation process in 2007 and included the SAN's close collaboration with the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), through their Cattle Production and Environmental Management program (Ganadería Ambiental y Medio Ambiente), which has been working on the issue of sustainable cattle production in Latin America since 1995. As part of the consultation process, over 130 organizations from 34 countries provided feedback, and workshops were held in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Brazil, Colombia and Honduras. These workshops included the participation of cattle producers and leaders of their industry associations, university and ministry officials and representatives of environmental and animal-welfare NGOs. The standard was later approved in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Kenya and Nicaragua, and the SAN International Standards Committee gave its final approval in July 2010. One of USAID's main objectives is to establish alliances along the entire value chain – among producers, processors, exporters and large regional and international buyers – in order to find opportunities and markets for the products that meet environmental and labor standards. The SAN is a coalition of independent conservation organizations promoting social and environmental sustainability in agricultural production through the development of global standards. Since 1992, almost 700 certificates have been issued for over 65,000 farms – including small family farms and groups of farms as well as plantations – in 28 countries, covering an area of nearly 1.35 million acres (550,000 hectares) and the production of 21 different crops.
Categories: SR News

The UPS Foundation Awards UNICEF $2 Million In Financial Support and In-Kind Services through 2011

2 hours 4 min ago
Today, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced a two-year, $1.25 million commitment by The UPS Foundation; bringing the organization's total support for UNICEF to $2 million for 2010 and 2011, including $400,000 of cash and in-kind support for Haiti earthquake relief efforts. These gifts will support UNICEF's emergency preparedness and rapid response as well as to expand existing projects aimed at building the capacity of UNICEF and national counterparts in logistic activities. The grant will also establish an urgent humanitarian response fund that will enable UNICEF to quickly mobilize resources anywhere in the world. "There's no better way to utilize UPS's logistics leadership and expertise than to aid children during disasters," said Dan Brutto, president of UPS International and a Board member of U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Our presence in 215 countries and territories combined with UNICEF's expertise in providing aid enables food and supplies to be delivered to the world's most vulnerable." This recent expansion of the partnership leverages UPS's key strengths by enhancing UNICEF's systems around rapid response and supply provision to aid the most vulnerable populations of children in emergencies. Funding from UPS will support an emergency response simulation, field warehouse management and inventory training in several African countries, and streamline logistics capacity assessments. "UNICEF is proud to count UPS as one of our key partners in support of our mission to save the lives of children worldwide," said U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl Stern. "UPS has demonstrated time and again that it places a high priority on strengthening communities in ways that work, whether that is through the implementation of innovative programs, volunteerism, or community grants. This partnership is the perfect marriage of experience and resources that will allow us to fortify systems that help communities in crisis bounce back." In January 2010 in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, more than 100 UPS and UNICEF volunteers packed and transported individual child protection kits for 50,000 displaced children in Haiti. Additionally, UPS and UNICEF teamed up once again in July 2010 to transport relief supplies to refugees in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. For more than 10 years, UPS has partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, where UPS has provided grant funding to a range of UNICEF programs and more recently, in-kind shipping, freight and expertise. UPS has supported UNICEF's work in emergency preparedness and relief efforts, girls' education, child protection and UNICEF's "School-in-a-Box Program." About The UPS Foundation UPS (NYSE: UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. UPS promotes community involvement through its ongoing volunteerism and grant programs, environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy. In 2009, UPS's charitable contributions totaled nearly $100 million and UPS employees and their families contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service. The company can be found on the web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS. About UNICEF UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress--the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
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Stephen M. R. Covey, Mark Victor Hansen, Jason Mraz and More than 100 Luminaries from the Fields of Business, Art, Science and Spirituality to Speak at LEADERShift 2010 Conference

2 hours 4 min ago
Stephen M. R. Covey, Mark Victor Hansen, Jason Mraz and more than 100 luminaries from the fields of business, art, science, spirituality, human rights and environmental studies come to the Long Beach Convention Center this November 6-7 for LEADERShift 2010. Hosted by Leaders Causing Leaders, a non-profit committed to inspiring leadership, the event features two days of dynamic presentations and discussion led by a cross-section of heavyweights from world-renowned author Stephen M. R. Covey (The SPEED of Trust) speaking on trust as a critical leadership competency to Ishmael Baeh (author of bestselling A Long Way Gone) sharing his life as a child soldier to Grammy Award-winning artist Jason Mraz, Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul), Joie de Vivre CEO Chip Conley (TED speaker), motivational coach Byron Katie, well-known angel investor Randy Haykin, National Development Council (NDC) Chairman Sam Beard, third-generation yogi Guru Singh and Inka shaman Juan Ruiz. To view the growing list of speakers, please visit: http://www.leaderscausingleaders.com/wordpress2/speakers-page. Alongside to the main stage speakers, the two-day transformational event offers a curated program to encourage interactivity and networking in addition to Saturday evening's music festival at Joie de Vivre Hotel Maya with live performances from Donna De Lory, Larisa Stow and other special guests. Additional workshops include open collaborations for speeding the pace of change, conscious money, human rights, women in sustainable business, and social entrepreneurship, among dozens of others. "The time for transformation is now. We must take it upon ourselves to lead society and ourselves through the many challenges facing the world today," said Kenneth Schwenker, founder of Leaders Causing Leaders founder. "Assembling our top minds in one place, this conference will catalyze leadership in a way we haven't experienced in the past. If you are a business professional looking to inspire transformation, or a mother of a teenager looking to guide and empower, this conference is for you. It's our chance to galvanize as leaders, gain tools, and take them into the world." LEADERShift invites young adults age 7 to 13 to engage in the Youth Leadership program, designed as a creative laboratory with workshops from the founders of much acclaimed Challenge Day, an organization that "demonstrates the possibility of love and connection through celebrating diversity, truth and full expression." Planning for over three thousand attendees, the two-day adult pass costs $125, students at $65, young adults (age 14 to 17) at $25, and children (up to 13 years) just $5. There is also the option to purchase specific program elements a la carte. For more information, to become a sponsor, to submit a speaker proposal or to buy tickets visit www.leaderscausingleaders.com or call 310.246.1466. If interested in attending on behalf of a media outlet, contact Mia Herron at mia@saegermediagroup.com. About Leaders Causing Leaders Leaders Causing Leaders is a non-profit organization founded to speed the pace of change, inspiring leadership and empowering people to catalyze transformation across the areas business, spirituality, media, human rights, the environment and finance. Drawing innovative and daring thinkers, Leaders Causing Leaders hosts the LEADERShift conference in addition to workshops, collaboration seminars, networking receptions and entertainment events. For the LEADERShift conference program and to purchase an event pass, visit: www.leaderscausingleaders.com.
Categories: SR News