Global ESG Regulatory Academy™ Presents First-Ever Global ESG Regulatory Education with its 2012 WEBINAR SERIES:  SEC ESG COMPLIANCE— WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD:  SEC ESG Requirements, Liabilities, and Challenges for Public Companies, Boards, Auditors, and Institutional Investors, DEC. 3, DEC. 7, and DEC. 14, 2012.

Please Note New Content and New Dates Due to Hurricane Sandy

THE 2012 WEBINAR SERIES, DESIGNED FOR ALL CAPITAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS, IS PACKED WITH PRACTICAL, VALUABLE, MUST-HAVE INTELLIGENCE AND ACTIONABLE GUIDANCE NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE, TO GET YOU QUICKLY UP TO SPEED ON THE ESSENTIALS.

WEBINARS ARE LIMITED TO 100 PARTICIPANTS; EARLY REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED.  All Registrants, whether or not you can attend the live Webinars, will receive the presentation handout materials and access to the archived Webinar recordings.  Webinar participants will be able to ask the Speakers questions during the live Q&A session.

The 2012 Webinar Series will explain how the widespread global SEC ESG noncompliance problem is impacting public companies, boards, auditors, institutional investors, and a broad range of capital market transactions, and how these market sectors should manage the associated noncompliance liabilities and risks.  An estimated 80% of large public company SEC filers are noncompliant on ESG issues, according to the landmark CSR Insight™ Study.

• DEC. 3RD WEBINAR:  will explain the dimensions and impacts of the widespread global SEC ESG noncompliance problem; the basic foundation SEC filers must establish to comply with SEC ESG requirements; current corporate deficiencies and reasons for noncompliance; liabilities triggered by noncompliance for the C-Suite, the Board, and the External Auditor; compliance issues and strategies (Part 1); and lessons learned from recent financial institution scandals.

• DEC. 7TH WEBINAR:  will explain the main SEC disclosure and financial statement requirements for ESG issues for SEC filers under Regulation S-K, including crucial accounting issues; the associated noncompliance liabilities for the C-Suite, the Board, and the External Auditor; compliance issues and strategies (Part 2); private equity ESG current developments and impacts; and current SEC enforcement initiatives and considerations (Part 1).

• DEC. 14TH WEBINAR:  will explain SEC ESG requirements for Registered Investment Advisers and associated noncompliance liabilities; current Integrated Reporting developments and market practices; ESG financial analysis considerations for CFAs; and current SEC enforcement initiatives and considerations (Part 2).

"All capital market participants and stakeholders now need to be knowledgeable about ESG financial regulatory reporting requirements, and why this widespread global SEC ESG noncompliance exists and how it can be fixed, because this systemic regulatory noncompliance on ESG issues is producing increasingly significant financial, economic, investment, and tail risks for all concerned,” states Linda Lowson, Esq., CEO of CSR Insight™ and Founder of the Global ESG Regulatory Academy™.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE UNIQUE, EXCITING, AND VALUABLE EVENTS!

FOR SPEAKER, SPONSOR, AND REGISTRATION QUERIES:
Contact Ms. Lowson at inquiry@csrinsight.com.

With Royal Bank of Scotland braced for more fines over Libor, we are once again reminded of the scandals that have served to further erode public trust in the financial sector over the past twelve months.

It's not just banks which have been in the firing line. G4S and Starbucks are among those that have been called before House of Commons Select Committee's to answer some "awkward" questions. HSBC has faced the scrutiny of US congressional hearings.

At Ethical Corporation's 12th Responsible Business Summit, the Chief Executive Officers from SKY (Jeremy Darroch), Bank New York Mellon (Michael Cole Fontayn) and Telefónica O2 UK (Ronan Dunne) will be discussing the challenges that businesses face to build and maintain trust with consumers in this era of distrust.

The debate will draw upon some of the opportunities that exist to engage with consumers and the rewards for those that get it right.

A number of banks including Royal Bank of Scotland, UBS and Nordea will be addressing how the financial sector can re-connect with the people they serve.

"It will not be a simple exercise in "banker bashing" but a serious and robust look at crucial issues such as senior executive leadership, incentive structures and stakeholder engagement in the financial sector," says moderator Mike Tyrrell, editor of SRI-CONNECT.

Is real change even realistic? Or is the current structural model of banking making it impossible to balance economic duty to society and financial duty to shareholders?

The Responsible Business summit taking place in London on May 7th and 8th this year will be the meeting place for 500+ senior attendees and 60+ expert speakers from across the world to discuss key social challenges such as corporate trust and ways to reduce businesses' impacts on the environment.

For more information about the event, visit www.ethicalcorp.com/rbs.

Ethical Corporation provides business intelligence for sustainability to more than 3,000 multinational companies every year. We provide objective analysis in our reports, news, events and updates for the corporate sustainability. Ethical Corporation publishes the leading responsible business magazine and website.

Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX) has helped 125 Chilean families living in poverty become homeowners through a partnership with A Roof for Chile (Un Techo para Chile), a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to eradicating slums and providing adequate housing in Chile.

This multi-year initiative, known as the Renacer, or Rebirth, program, is profiled in the latest edition of Beyond Borders magazine. The program involved the design and construction of a new housing development in Copiapó, Chile, and was sponsored by Barrick and Chile’s Ministry of Housing.

“The Renacer program is an example of what can be achieved when the government, NGO and private sectors work together to bring about positive change in our host communities,” said Rod Jiménez, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Barrick South America. “We would like to thank our long-time partner, A Roof for Chile, whose work to alleviate poverty has transformed the lives of thousands of families. We would also like to thank the Chilean government for supporting this program and recognize the families, who were full partners from the beginning. Their resilience and strength of spirit are a true inspiration.”

To date, about 70 percent of the families have moved into the new development. First-person video accounts of some of the participating families are available at www.barrickbeyondborders.com. A handover ceremony to commemorate the initiative was held on December 27, 2012, attended by the Chilean Minister of Housing, Rodrigo Pérez.

In addition to the housing development, the Renacer program provided support to nearly 700 families living in Chile’s Atacama region, offering literacy, vocational, academic and entrepreneurial training. In all, Barrick provided funding of $4.3 million to A Roof for Chile to help fund the program.

The magazine also includes feature interviews with Barrick President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Sokalsky and Vice-President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Peter Sinclair. Since being named Chief Executive in June 2012, Sokalsky has stressed the need for disciplined capital allocation, but, as he indicates in the interview, this will not come at the expense of investing in host communities or environmental stewardship.

“When we talk about disciplined capital allocation it doesn’t mean that we should look to just reduce costs or make less investments. It means making the right investments and allocating capital in a disciplined way,” Sokalsky said. “There are critical areas where we cannot cut corners or take shortcuts. Here I mean our partnerships with local communities and promises to our stakeholders, as well as our commitment to protect the environment.”

Sinclair, who joined Barrick in 2005, said Barrick’s commitment to CSR does not hinder the company’s ability to maximize shareholder returns. In fact, the opposite is true. “There are so many things that we do that are good for the community and good for the business. Training people, buying local goods and services, providing a secure environment, improving health care and water facilities – all of that helps secure our ability to operate and fosters development in the community.”

The latest edition of Beyond Borders also highlights the positive economic impact that Barrick’s Veladero mine has had on Argentina’s San Juan province. Between 2004, the year before Veladero commenced operations, and 2011, the province’s unemployment rate fell 36 percent and per capita income surged 177 percent to $5,260 from $1,900, according to a recent study by the Buenos Aires-based Universidad Tecnológica Nacional.

Other features include:

• Gold industry introduces new conflict free gold standard
• Barrick invests in development projects in the Dominican Republic
• A new training initiative is helping fill a skills gap in local communities at the Pascua-Lama project on the Argentine-Chilean border

About Barrick Gold Corporation

Barrick is the gold industry leader in production, reserves, and market capitalization. Based in Toronto, the company operates globally, with a portfolio of 27 operating mines and advanced exploration and development projects located across the world. Barrick trades on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and employs 26,000 people worldwide. The company has been ranked as a world leader in social and environmental responsibility for five consecutive years by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and is also listed on the NASDAQ Global Sustainability Index of the top 100 companies. To learn more about Barrick’s commitment to responsible mining, visit www.barrickbeyondborders.com. You can also follow Barrick on Twitter and Barrick on Facebook.

The Coca-Cola Company today encouraged the members of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community to return to the Forum’s 2014 Annual Meeting in Davos with proof points of the work they have done to help address the world’s problems.  In return, one project will be granted $50,000 in seed money to expand its reach while five projects will be granted $10,000 to sustain and expand their efforts.

Global Shapers, a major initiative launched by the World Economic Forum to engage young people between the ages of 20 and 30 to deliver local and global change, will facilitate the challenge by encouraging Shaper “hubs” in more than 200 communities around the world to document the results of their community projects focused on societal problems ranging from health to environment to education to economic growth. 

Selection of the most impactful projects will be done by a panel of leading individuals representing the Global Shapers, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, The Coca-Cola Company, governments and other members of civil society.  Judging criteria will include the severity of issues addressed, the number of lives impacted, overall return on investment and the ability of the project to be scaled more broadly.  Results and impact achieved by all finalist projects will be shared publicly in January 2014.

“A challenge to spark and expand innovative ideas from the world’s young leaders is exactly what our world needs today as we look to create much-needed growth in the global economy,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company.  “With more than half of the world’s population under age 27, it’s clear that solving current and future challenges is dependent upon involving the ideas and energy of the millennial generation.  Our support of the Global Shapers recognizes a belief that talent and leadership to create new growth and solve societal problems can come from anywhere, not just from governments or businesses.”

Added Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, the World Economic Forum: “Young people are a tremendous source of innovation and can serve as a catalytic force for restoring economic growth, addressing social injustice and creating sustainable change.  The Coca-Cola Company recognizes this, and we appreciate its active role in supporting our Global Shapers Community.  The growth of the Shapers – now with more than 200 community hubs worldwide – is an exciting and positive development for the Forum, embracing our spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public interest and our commitment to find solutions to the world’s biggest problems.”

Launched in 2011, the Global Shapers Community engages entrepreneurial “millennials” in developing projects that positively impact local communities, in addition to participating in a global conversation with world leaders to help shape the future. 

The Shapers have made extraordinary progress.  Already at the international level, nine Shapers sit on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Councils, the largest brainstorming network of world-class academics.  More than 300 Shapers have already participated in meetings organized by the World Economic Forum, including in the closing plenary session of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012.  And in January 2013, more than 50 Global Shapers from around the world are participating in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2013 in Davos.

Local Shapers programs address a wide range of social and economic problems ranging from a project to open 200 public libraries in the Philippines to work to provide relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy in the United States to support for marginalized communities, including an orphanage for children under seven in Bamako, Mali.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca- Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo or check out our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.

More than a dozen professional and academic societies are coming together for OCEANS '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego, An Ocean in Common. The conference is scheduled for September 23-26 with many side activities taking place before, during and after the event, making it the largest and most comprehensive ocean science and engineering gathering in U.S. history.

The sponsoring societies are the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society (IEEE-OES) and the Marine Technology Society (MTS). Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has been announced as the OCEANS '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego academic host. Participating societies include: AGU Ocean Sciences (AGU-OS), Acoustical Society of America (ASA), The Oceanography Society (TOS), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), American Fisheries Society (AFS), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association of Dive Contractors (ADC), and others.

According to conference chairman Robert Wernli, the world's leading scientists, engineers and technologists will be attending to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of MTS, the 45th for the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, and the 110th anniversary of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

"Scripps Institution of Oceanography is proud to be academic host of An Ocean in Common,” said Doug Bartlett, a professor of marine microbiology and chair of the Education Department at Scripps. "This historical gathering couldn't be more timely as Scripps celebrates its 110th anniversary during the conference. Our oceans, 70 percent of Earth's surface, require our collective intelligence and attention as never before and Scripps is proud to be a collaborator in this vital gathering of scientists, engineers and the community."

This international conference is a major forum for scientists, engineers, ocean professionals and enthusiasts to gather and exchange their knowledge and ideas. An Ocean in Common features a day of tutorials, multiple tracks of technical sessions, student poster competition, keynote speakers, receptions, public exhibit halls, and a banquet on the USS Midway aircraft carrier in San Diego Bay. In addition, a two-night film festival and weekend golf tourney will kick off the week’s activities. Other side events offered include local diving, and visits to the many attractions that make San Diego one of the world’s most popular destinations.

Today it was announced that a second exhibit hall has been opened, due to popular demand. Information on Registration, Schedule, Call for Papers, Exhibit Space, and updates on the week's events are posted at http://www.oceans13mtsieeesandiego.org.

"Rethink the Past and Move On"

In existence for over 15 years, TBLI CONFERENCE™ consists of two annual conferences. These two-day events are the prime annual global networking and learning event on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Impact Investing.

What to Expect?

• Meet 350+ finance professionals on ESG & Impact Investing 
• Learn about recent developments in 16 Workshops & 2 Round-Tables
• Find new business partners
• Free online-networking platform

Attendees remain able to determine their workshop choice at the conference, which may mean some workshops will be (more than) full and others sparsely attended. This remains part of our conference tradition.

Where?

United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Headquarters
+1.212.777.7500
52 Broadway
New York, New York 10004 United States

New evidence suggests that Chevron CEO John Watson has resorted to authorizing the offering of lucrative benefits packages to former Ecuadorian judges in return for false testimony designed to undermine the environmental trial that led to a $19 billion verdict against the company, according to a preliminary investigation by the rainforest communities.

The offers appear to take the form of a luxury lifetime package of kickbacks – including immigration to the U.S., a generous salary, payment of income taxes, and luxury housing and vehicles – that Chevron delivered in 2009 to one of its Ecuadorian contractors, Diego Borja. Borja in 2009 targeted a judge presiding over the case with a video entrapment scheme to manufacture evidence in Chevron’s favor that backfired against the company.

The new effort – which representatives of the plaintiffs said was tantamount to bribery – comes at a time when Chevron seems increasingly prone to use desperate measures to shore up its ailing legal position after an Ecuador court found it guilty of deliberately dumping billions of gallons of toxic waste when it operated in Ecuador from 1964 to 1992. Chevron now faces seizure actions targeting an estimated $15 billion of assets in Canada and Brazil, while an Argentine court recently froze millions of dollars of company assets in that country.

Pablo Fajardo, the lead lawyer for the 80 indigenous and farmer communities in Ecuador who won the judgment against Chevron, condemned the company for trying to undermine the rule of law to evade paying what it owes.

“We have been made aware of evidence that Chevron is offering substantial sums of money to trial judges in Ecuador in return for false testimony,” he said. ‘We are in the process of analyzing this evidence and investigating further.

“This information unfortunately is consistent with Chevron’s fraudulent and corrupt behavior in Ecuador for years,” Fajardo added.

Fajardo said the latest information – including audiotapes of illicit contacts – is being provided to authorities in Ecuador and the United States. In the U.S., the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits improper payments to foreign officials in exchange for an economic benefit. Chevron already has paid the Department of Justice $30 million for violating the FCPA in Iraq.

The new evidence discovered by the plaintiffs includes:

• Chevron appears to have provided substantial benefits to Alberto Guerra Bastides, a trial judge in Ecuador who presided over the environmental case for the first seven months of its existence in 2003. Guerra apparently has received the same lavish benefits Chevron gave to Borja. Chevron recently moved Guerra to the U.S., where the company is planning to produce a media event where he will make false and misleading allegations against the plaintiffs.
• After “flipping” Guerra, Chevron appears to be using him to pressure other former judges in Ecuador who presided over the case to introduce them to the idea of secret benefits in exchange for false or misleading testimony. Part of the “pitch” is that if the judges do not go along with the plan, they will be attacked by Chevron as “corrupt” or they will miss out on the princely benefits package they could otherwise receive.
• The Chevron operation is in part being executed by Andres Rivero, a Miami-based lawyer who formerly represented a Chevron executive on charges he tried to defraud Ecuador’s government by implementing a sham environmental remediation. In recent months, Rivero – who is fluent in Spanish – has been in Ecuador various times to contact judges. Rivero is a former U.S. prosecutor who ironically has lectured several legal groups on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, according to his website.
• The operation also marks the return in the case of the U.S.-based private investigations agency Kroll and notorious undercover operative Sam Anson, who now runs a private intelligence outfit in Miami called Custom Information Services that counts Chevron as its main client. When Anson worked directly for Kroll in 2010, he was caught offering $20,000 to an independent journalist to spy on the plaintiffs in Ecuador. Anson is considered to be the mastermind of Chevron’s undercover operations in Ecuador, according to the investigation.

In a press statement put out by the plaintiffs in Ecuador, Fajardo said that Guerra had offered to provide truthful testimony to the rainforest communities if they would pay him. The communities refused on principle to accede to that request, and instead encouraged Guerra to disclose what he knew about Chevron’s corruption and pressure campaign against him and other judges, said Fajardo. Rebuffed by the rainforest communities, Guerra then accepted Chevron’s offer and moved to the U.S., he added.

“It always was obvious that Guerra wished to sell himself to the highest bidder, a fact which undermined his credibility and made him a profoundly unreliable witness,” said Fajardo.

Fajardo also noted that Guerra had been removed from the bench in Ecuador after being denounced for acts of corruption or irregular behavior in more than 30 cases, including several involving drug traffickers who were let go prior to trial in violation of legal rules.

Humberto Piaguaje, a leader of the Secoya indigenous group and the recently-named coordinator of the legal case for the affected communities, said the “buying” of witnesses by Chevron was nothing new. “If one reviews the history of the case, whenever Chevron’s legal position deteriorates the company resorts to more corrupt acts,” he said.

Chevron has a long history in Ecuador of trying to undermine the environmental trial through improper pressure and illegal means, according to Ecuador’s courts. The final verdict included an $8.6 billion punitive damages penalty for trying to undermine the administration of justice in the country.

In 2009, with the scientific evidence at trial overwhelmingly pointing to Chevron’s guilt and with a verdict imminent, the company launched a video entrapment scheme where company operative Borja was caught offering the sitting trial judge a bribe in exchange for a remediation contract. The action backfired when it was disclosed that Chevron paid Borja at least $2 million for his efforts, which involved moving him to the U.S., housing him in a luxury home just miles from corporate headquarters near San Francisco, paying his income taxes, cell phone bill, first-class travel expenses, and legal fees needed to fend off criminal and civil investigations.

In 2010, Chevron was caught trying to offer an illegal $1 billon bribe to Ecuador’s government in exchange for an agreement that the government would violate its own Constitution and quash the legal case. Chevron operatives also were caught creating fake military intelligence reports to undermine the trial process in Ecuador.

More recently, a Chevron technical expert disclosed documents that the company designed its soil sampling plan during the trial to evade contaminated areas and to hide dirty soil samples from the court. Another Chevron technical expert, Fernando Reyes, offered an “affidavit” that contained numerous inaccuracies meant to favor Chevron’s narrative. Earlier, Chevron had produced an internal memo directing all employees in Ecuador to destroy records of oil spills.

Much of Chevron’s history of trying to corrupt the trial in Ecuador through intimidation, bribes, and espionage is summarized in these court documents filed by New York lawyer Steven Donziger and Ecuadorian lawyer Juan Pablo Saenz.

Rivero represented Rodrigo Perez Pallares, Chevron's longtime lawyer in Ecuador and one of the masterminds of a fraudulent remediation in the mid-1990s that the company still tries to use as a defense at trial.

Perez Pallares, who openly mocked the idea that Ecuadorians have died of cancer due to Chevron's contamination despite strong evidence to the contrary, recently died of cancer himself in Ecuador.

The Social Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley on December 4-5th is a private, invitation-only forum that explores “What’s Next?” in the world of Social Innovation. Tailored to executive leaders interested in discussing the strategies and business innovations effecting social transformation across the corporate, investment, government, and non-profit sectors. Participants will include hundreds of top Fortune 500 Corporate Executives, Venture Capitalists, Government Leaders, Emerging Market Investors, Foundation Heads and Social Entrepreneurs eager to discuss social challenges, analyze innovative approaches and build lasting partnerships that enable them and their organizations to affect positive social change.

Praxis Consulting Group of Philadelphia will be among the first wave of mission-driven companies in the state electing to adopt benefit corporation status when Pennsylvania’s new Benefit Corporation Act goes into effect on January 22. Benefit Corporations are unique in that their directors must take into account social issues (e.g., employees, community, and environment) along with the financial bottom line when making corporate decisions. Pennsylvania is the 12th state to adopt this legislation, with similar laws pending in several other states.

“Governor Corbett’s number one priority is having a job available for every Pennsylvanian that wants one,” said Carol Aichele, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “The governor is working hard to make Pennsylvania attractive for businesses to locate and expand, and providing companies the option of registering as benefit corporations is one more way of doing that.”

According to B Lab, the 501(c) 3 nonprofit responsible for developing and administering the stringent 3rd party “triple bottom line” B Corp certification process, and a driving force in the passage of the PA legislation, “Benefit corporations operate the same as traditional corporations but with higher standards of corporate purpose, accountability, and transparency. Benefit corporations give business leaders legal protection to pursue a higher purpose than profit, and they offer investors and the public greater transparency to protect against pretenders.”

Praxis became a founding B Corp in 2008, and is required to renew its certification biannually to ensure that it continues to meet or exceed recognized standards of corporate social and environmental responsibility and that its stated values are meaningfully put into practice. Praxis has been an active participant in and advocate for the emerging community of socially responsible businesses, both locally and with their clients across the country.

“Praxis has been a wonderful partner and advocate for the B Corp community since they were certified as one of the founding B Corps in 2008,” said Jay Coen Gilbert, B Lab co-founder. “They bring a unique value to our diverse community, not only in who they are, but also in their influence enhancing the sustainability of their clients ranging from employee-owned firms to nonprofits to other mission-driven enterprises. We are thrilled that they are again taking a leading role and demonstrating what a powerful force registered benefit corporations can be for all of us here in Pennsylvania and beyond.”

Praxis co-founder and President Ginny Vanderslice noted, “Our Company’s vision is ‘good work, good clients, good life’ and we try very hard to make sure that we always keep all three of those things in our sights. Good work for us is always, at its core, about making the world a better place. By becoming a benefit corporation, we are making a deeper commitment to monitor our behavior annually to insure our actions are aligned with our mission and values.”

About Praxis

For over 25 years, Praxis Consulting Group has been assisting employee-owned, nonprofit, and other mission-driven organizations in developing high-performing, sustainable workplaces that benefit all stakeholders. Through services addressing three key areas – leadership, strategy and culture – they assist client organizations in ensuring that their systems are aligned to achieve their goals and missions. Visit www.praxisCG.com for more information or email info@praxisCG.com. Praxis Consulting Group’s company B-Corp profile can be found at http://www.bcorporation.net/community/directory/praxiscg.

Nonprofit Counterpart International has joined the United Nations Global Compact, the largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative in the world. www.counterpart.org

“Engaging with the UN Global Compact is a great opportunity and a reflection of our values,” says Joan Parker, Counterpart’s President and CEO. “This initiative allows Counterpart to do what it does best: forge meaningful partnerships to drive sustainable change.”

The UN Global Compact boasts a global network of more than 8,000 businesses, nonprofits and other stakeholders in 135 countries.

Members commit to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption principles the UN deems “universally accepted.”

The compact’s objectives are to mainstream these principles in business activities around the world, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals.

“The initiative seeks to combine the best properties of the UN, such as moral authority and convening power, with the private sector’s solution-finding strengths,” its website states.

In a letter of commitment to UN Secretary-General Ki-moon, Parker pledged the nonprofit’s support and advancement of the compact’s 10 principles.

“Counterpart has been dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions to economic and social problems since its founding,” says Parker. “We have projects that directly address issues such as child labor and anti-corruption, and we also implicitly stand with the principles outlined in the Global Compact.”

The global nonprofit’s participation in the UN Global Compact will include engagement in partnership projects and specialized workstreams, and review of other members’ progress reports. To learn more, please watch this 90-second video: http://vimeo.com/55443593

Collective action campaigns and government policy dialogues are also organized through the Compact’s local networks, which are active in more than 80 countries.

About Counterpart International

Counterpart International is a global development organization that works in partnership to empower people, communities and institutions to drive and sustain their own development. Counterpart is currently working in 23 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso and Honduras.

For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been working in partnership with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, nutrition and health, humanitarian assistance, and strengthening civil society. Click here to see a 90-second video about Counterpart: http://vimeo.com/55443593

Governor Brian Sandoval has awarded MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) the 11th Annual Nevada Governor’s Points of Light Award for its employee volunteer initiative.

The recognition comes on the heels of MGM Resorts’ announcement that in 2012, employees donated more than 113,000 volunteer hours to the community, far surpassing the corporate goal of 100,000 hours set by Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts. A total of 850 charitable organizations benefited from the employees' community service last year.

The value of time donated by MGM Resorts' employees is estimated at more than $2.1 million, according to the Independent Sector, an organization that calculates the value of volunteer work. In Nevada, each hour of volunteer work is worth $18.82.

"It's true that these are challenging times for our state and nation,” said Gov. Sandoval. “Volunteerism, like charitable giving, has suffered a bit as families look inward. And yet, in every corner of our state, members of the Nevada family continue to step up and give up their time. So today, we proudly recognize some stand-out individuals and organizations who have given of their time, treasure and talent." 

The Governor’s Points of Light Awards highlight service by honoring outstanding volunteers and volunteer programs across the state with finalists and award recipients in six separate categories. MGM Resorts is the first company in the gaming industry to receive the prestigious award. 

"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our employees, last year’s volunteer challenge was met with great enthusiasm," Murren said. He applauded employees.  "Continue to inspire your coworkers to make a difference and keep up the great work that you personally put into making our Company, community, and world a better place."

MGM Resorts’ volunteer efforts serve as a bright spot for Nevada’s reputation in the area of volunteerism. According to a Corporation for National and Community Service national study, Nevada ranks 48 out of 51 states and Washington, D.C. for its citizen volunteer rate. Nevada moved up two rankings since 2010. MGM Resorts employees hope their collective efforts will continue to help improve this ranking. 

One way they are showing their commitment is by introducing the new Volunteer Rewards Program. On a bi-monthly basis the company will run a report through VolunteerMatch to track employees' volunteer hours and celebrate designated benchmarks. Rewards include certificates, special volunteer bracelets, logoed cups, trophies, and money donated back to nonprofits of their choice.

For more information about MGM Resorts International’s volunteer program, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit: http://www.mgmresorts.com/offers/2012/07_annualcorporatesocialresponsibilityreport/index.html. 

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA resort and casino.  For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com. 

Join BCLC for an evening at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, where we will be awarding some of the most innovative CSR best practices and programs. BCLC's 2012 Corporate Citizenship Awards honor companies that are tackling some of society's toughest issues both domestically and abroad. Not only will the best of business be in attendance at the Citizens Awards, but join GRAMMY nominated artist Carolyn Malachi for a live performance and video premier of "Free Your Mind." This video is part of the #IAM Campaign, a partnership between The School Fund and Carolyn Malachi with a single mission -- to use music to fund secondary education in developing countries.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) hosts a special weekend each year to remember those who have died in the line of duty. Families, friends and colleagues gathered in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in October 2012 to honor their loved ones at the NFFF Memorial Weekend. See their stories unfold in this video.

For more than 70 years, Motorola Solutions has been a proud supplier and supporter of the American fire service, providing mission-critical communications for our nation's first responders. As part of our commitment to helping the men and women of the fire service, the Motorola Solutions Foundation honored the nation’s firefighters and their families by granting $1 million to the NFFF. Motorola Solutions Foundation is privileged to team with the NFFF to not only assist the survivors of our fallen fire service heroes, but also make sure firefighters have the education necessary to stay safe and effective in their jobs.

About Motorola Solutions Foundation

The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information on Motorola Solutions Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving.

About Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions is a leading provider of mission-critical communication solutions and services for enterprise and government customers. Through leading-edge innovation and communications technology, it is a global leader that enables its customers to be their best in the moments that matter. Motorola Solutions trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “MSI.” To learn more, visit www.motorolasolutions.com. For ongoing news, please visit our media center or subscribe to our news feed.

MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved.

Today the Children’s Health Fund’s South Bronx Health Center kicked off a significant facility improvement project made possible by nearly $70,000 in funding from UnitedHealthcare. Also instrumental in this project is CBS EcoMedia. The renovations, which include cosmetic improvements to the clinic, the addition of new office furniture and other upgrades, will enable the Health Center to serve more people in the community and enhance the overall patient experience.

A kick-off celebration at the Health Center was held this morning hosted by Karen Redlener, Children’s Health Fund Executive Director; Bill Golden, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New York; and Paul Polizzotto, CBS EcoMedia Inc. President and Founder.

Also attending were dozens of volunteers from UnitedHealthcare who cleaned, prepped and painted the nearby Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center, where the Health Center’s nutrition and fitness programming is held. The UnitedHealthcare volunteers transformed an area in need of repair into a bright, cheery and inviting venue for the community’s programs.

The South Bronx Health Center was built 15 years ago by Children’s Health Fund in partnership with Montefiore Medical Center and serves a community where there were few existing comprehensive health services before the facility was established. The center is one of United Health Foundation’s Community Health Centers of Excellence, putting quality care and wellness resources within reach for hundreds of individuals and families in need. The South Bronx Health Center plans, develops and provides services that help empower Bronx constituents and enhance their quality of life.

“United Healthcare is a long-time supporter of Children’s Health Fund and has allowed us to increase access to care for very vulnerable families,” said Redlener. “Today marks another step in our partnership with UnitedHealthcare and we are grateful for their support of this facility improvement and for engaging the energy and enthusiasm of their employees in a day of service that has made a real difference for this community.”

The renovations and improvements are made possible by support from UnitedHealthcare and CBS EcoMedia’s WellnessAd program. UnitedHealthcare partners with CBS EcoMedia and the latter’s unique WellnessAd program that connects advertisers with tangible health and wellness projects in communities across the country.

“UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to join the Children’s Health Fund and EcoMedia to help the South Bronx Health Center expand the vital health care services it provides people throughout the borough,” said Golden.

“It’s such a privilege for us to partner with UnitedHealthcare and the Children’s Health Fund to bring these essential health and wellness improvements to this great community,” said Polizzotto. “The renovation of the South Bronx Health Center will make it possible for them to serve more patients, provide more services and deliver an overall better experience for members of this community who rely on this center for their health and wellness. Those are the kinds of positive outcomes we’re working to generate with every WellnessAd project we do with UnitedHealthcare.”

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

Children’s Health Fund

Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, M.D., to bring healthcare to homeless children in New York City, today Children’s Health Fund provides healthcare for children living in poverty across America. In addition to fixed-site clinics, Children’s Health Fund supports a fleet of 50 mobile clinics, including dental and mental health vehicles that bring comprehensive healthcare to children in hundreds of locations across the country. Over the past 25 years, the organization has provided three million health care visits for disadvantaged children, often in places where doctors, dentists, and other health care providers are in short supply. For more information about Children’s Health Fund, visit www.childrenshealthfund.org.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.

At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomedia.cbs.com to learn more. 

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), a national coalition of business organizations that together represent over 150,000 small and medium businesses, today released the following statement from David Levine, CEO and Co-founder, supporting reform of filibuster rules in the U.S. Senate:

The American Sustainable Business Council strongly urges the Senate to reform its filibuster rules by passing the Udall-Merkley-Harkin Resolution #4 using the Constitutional option of 51 votes when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote next week. Current rules allow individual Senators to hold up Senate proceedings by merely indicating an intention to filibuster. As business leaders, we are concerned that many urgent policy issues that directly affect small businesses and job creation – such as investment in infrastructure, education, capital access and clean energy – will continue to be too easily held in gridlock due to today’s filibuster rules. Requiring a “talking filibuster” will advance public debate about these issues and encourage bi-partisan compromise leading to enactment of needed legislation to address the nation’s economic problems.

At the beginning of each term, the Senate has a one-time opportunity to establish its own rules by majority vote. Senators Tom Harkin, Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall have proposed a filibuster reform package, SR 4, which would require “talking filibusters,” making it more difficult for individual Senators to block debate.

Earlier this month, ASBC sent all Senators a letter, which said in part:

At a minimum, the Senate should require a “talking filibuster” that does not end filibusters but makes them as intended—a continuous holding of the floor by the minority speaking on the bill until cloture is invoked. The current rule that allows a Senator to express their objection by phone rather than be on the floor debating is not constructive.

The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 150,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and investors. The non-partisan council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org

On January 22nd, the Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge will launch on college campuses around the world, inspiring students to take small actions that add up to big social and environmental impact. Launched by Net Impact, a nonprofit that empowers a new generation of leaders to work for a sustainable future, this intercollegiate competition aims to reach 50 campuses and 300,000 students by May of 2013. Sponsors, including title sponsor Alcoa Foundation and gold sponsor, Microsoft, have helped make the Challenge possible.

During the 14-week Challenge, thousands of students compete against their peers and other college campuses to take the most small actions and win recognition and prizes. Rewards for top student participants and the leading school range from merchandise and gift cards to the opportunity to shadow executives at Fortune 500 companies. Through the Challenge website and Facebook app, students will track their actions and the impact they are making.

“We know that creating a more sustainable world all at once is challenging, therefore we’re asking students to start by taking small steps towards making positive social and environmental changes,” said Liz Maw, CEO of Net Impact. “By participating in the Challenge, they can begin solving some of the world’s toughest problems. We hope that these young people will begin a lifelong journey to improve the world.”

“Net Impact students have the motivation, ideas and energy to create positive, meaningful change while mobilizing others to join their quest for a greener world,” said Alcoa Foundation President Paula Davis. “Alcoa Foundation is proud to support the Small Steps, Big Wins Campus Challenge as part of our own mission to inspire all generations to reduce, recycle and replenish.”

In a soft launch of the Challenge during the fall semester, 1,350 undergraduate students on 30 diverse campuses completed more than 4,200 actions. In 10 short weeks, they walked, took public transit or rode bikes to school to reduce CO² emissions by 1,656 pounds, air dried laundry to save 604,000 watts of electricity and volunteered in their local communities.

The Challenge has already inspired student that they can affect change during college and in their careers. “Small Steps is a great first step for college students to learn about impact careers and how one person’s actions can make a difference,” said Madison Stumbo, a student leader at Wartburg College in Iowa and winner of multiple awards during the fall semester Challenge.

“Our commitment to social responsibility and making a positive impact on people and communities worldwide has been a part of our DNA from the beginning,” said Dan Bross, senior director of Corporate Citizenship, Microsoft. “We are proud to support Net Impact in fostering a new generation dedicated to driving positive social and environmental impact.”

Additional Information

• For more information visit: smallsteps.netimpact.org
• Students interested in becoming a Campus Director can contact Net Impact for more information and visit the website: smallsteps.netimpact.org/form/contact
• Follow us on Twitter: @netimpact
• Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/smallstepsbigwins

About Net Impact

Net Impact is the leading nonprofit that inspires a new generation to work within and beyond business to tackle the world’s toughest social and environmental problems. We support student and professional leaders to act locally through our vibrant chapter network and connect globally online and through our flagship conference to create a more just and sustainable future. By doing so, we show the world that it’s possible to make a positive net impact that will transform our lives, our organizations, and the world. Learn more at http://www.netimpact.org.

Challenge Sponsors

Sponsors of the Challenge include title sponsor Alcoa Foundation, gold sponsor Microsoft, Small Steps Sponsors 3M, Avon, Johnson & Johnson and Target and prize sponsors REI, PepsiCo, and Timberland.

The Aspen Institute announced today that Anne Kubisch, director of the Roundtable on Community Change, will depart the Institute in May to become the President and CEO of the Ford Family Foundation (TFFF) in Roseburg, OR. The foundation works in Oregon and Northern California, and its mission is “successful citizens and vital rural communities.” TFFF was established by Kenneth Ford, the founder of Roseburg Forest Products, Inc., and his wife, Hallie Ford, in 1996 after a lifetime of philanthropic activity, and is now the largest private foundation in Oregon by asset size.

“The Ford Family Foundation has made such an impressive contribution to child, family, and community development in Oregon,” said Kubisch. “I am looking forward to combining my national perspective on what promotes community success with the on-the-ground experience and expertise of TFFF’s staff, grantees, and partners. It’s my chance to go deep in one place on the issues that I have been passionate about for my whole life.”

Kubisch established the Roundtable on Community Change at the Aspen Institute in 1994 after having spent 10 years at the international Ford Foundation (no relation to The Ford Family Foundation in Oregon), initially working on Latin American programs, then as Representative in Nigeria, and finally as Deputy Director of the Urban Poverty Program.

“Anne has built the Roundtable on Community Change into a premier national knowledge center about community building in disadvantaged locations across the country,” said Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute.

The publications in the Roundtable’s series, Voices from the Field I, II, and III, are the most comprehensive state-of-the-field analyses of community change initiatives, and serve as basic resources for policymakers, funders, and practitioners. The Roundtable is especially well known for its pioneering work on evaluation of community initiatives, particularly the theory of change approach to planning and evaluation, and for its work on structural racism.

“The Roundtable’s Racial Equity Leadership Development (RELD) program is really a flagship program of The Aspen Institute,” said Elliot Gerson, executive vice president for Policy and Public Programs.

The RELD program trained more than 500 people in its five-day seminar, and the alumni are carrying out wide range of racial equity initiatives in their home communities. More than 4,000 people have participated in shorter racial equity training sessions.

The Aspen Institute maintains its commitment to the community building and racial equity work of the Roundtable, and will be working the Anne and the rest of the Roundtable staff over the next three months to determine how the work will be configured going forward. More information on the Roundtable’s work can be found at http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/community-change.

To see The Ford Family Foundation press release and learn more about the foundation, visit: http://www.tfff.org/AboutUs/TheFordFamilyFoundationSelectsNewPresidentC/tabid/370/Default.aspx.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Points of Light is now welcoming nominations for the 2013 Corporate Engagement Awards of Excellence, which recognize companies that have made employee volunteering a central part of their business operations by putting structure, policies, procedures and evaluation in place to encourage employees to give their time and talents to their communities.

Established in 1993, the award is one of the oldest and most highly regarded programs honoring outstanding Employee Volunteer Programs (EVP). The Corporate Engagement Awards of Excellence seek companies with volunteer programs that move the needle on social progress and demonstrate clear, innovative strategic goals in line with the company’s purpose. High-performing programs can measure their impact and are highly collaborative with government, private and non-profit sectors.

Over the past decade, the traditional EVP has transformed into a solid business model that, in addition to impacting the community, has also proved to be a source of opportunity, innovation and competitive advantage for companies. EVPs are now holistic business programs receiving corporate support, similar to key branded products and services with the same company. This year, the award’s program has been updated to incorporate these innovative protocols and practices demonstrated by quality EVPs.

“We know that corporate America has the capacity to effect great social change through strategic employee volunteer programs,” says Delores Morton, president of Points of Light’s program division. “This award from Points of Light singles out the best among them.”

Last year’s winners included Kraft Foods, Timberland and Cbeyond.

Points of Light will announce the 2013 Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence honorees at the Conference on Volunteering and Service, to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C., June 19 - 22, 2013.

Nominations must be submitted by March 13, 2013, 11:59 p.m. EST

For more information on the award and the nomination form, visit www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/corporate-engagement-award or contact Melanie Stevenson at mstevenson@pointsoflight.org, (404) 574-5378.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We put people at the center of change. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org or follow us on Twitter @PointsOfLight.