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How Ernst & Young Encourages Sustainable Development in Brazil

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SOURCE: Ernst & Young

SUMMARY:

Matthew Collins, Earthwatch Ambassador and 2012 team leader, blogs about his experience in Brazil.

DESCRIPTION:

In May, I joined a team of Ernst & Young professionals from across the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico and Central America, South America and Israel) on a weeklong expedition with the Earthwatch Institute as part of our Earthwatch-Ernst & Young Ambassadors Expedition program. My immunizations, passport, work experience, and the support of Ernst & Young prepared me to leave the Phoenix office behind and explore the Brazilian rainforest. Besides looking forward to my eco-adventure, I was eager to meet my team of peers from around the world. Our home for the week would be the Guyra Farm, nestled at the edge of the Atlantic Forest near the southern Brazilian coastal town of Guaraquecaba. Our Earthwatch leaders explained we would be assisting research scientists in gathering field data to support government funded conservation efforts and working on a skills-based project for the ecotourism Cooperguara Cooperative.

On our first day we ventured on a ten kilometer hike to develop a foundation for documenting the biodiversity of the Atlantic forest. Despite our newly purchased outdoor clothing and knee-high snake protective boots, climbing through heavy brush and hugging trees in the rain took some getting used to. Our research team showed us how to set up cameras to capture animals, look for footprints to track animals, and count and measure trees. Equipped with newly trained eyes, we were on the lookout for pumas, anteaters, monkeys and more. We learned to move very slowly with open ears and wide eyes. After a few days we were fast becoming experts in tracking animals and documenting biodiversity. In fact, two of our team members invented a distance tool to help measure forest density. They attached a premeasured piece of tape to a stick and tossed it to either side of the trail for a quick positioning estimate. The research team mentioned they will use the new technique for future projects.

In addition to our field work, we worked to develop suggestions for the Cooperguara Cooperative, a member organization focused on ecotourism that ultimately supports local community development and small businesses. As the number of ecotourists continues to increase, the Cooperative recognized difficulties in three specific areas: operational sustainability, membership, and developing a budget.

To learn more about the Cooperative, we traveled on bumpy, dirt roads to meet with several members throughout the region. One member, an organic banana farmer, explained that the Cooperative has helped his small business to survive. He even showed us innovative farming methods that he uses and shares with other Cooperative members.

These meetings were essential for our presentation, which addressed the initiatives: optimize cash flow, expand sales and marketing, and improve internal controls.

We received positive and helpful feedback at the end of our presentation with recommendations that set the stage for the next Earthwatch-Ernst & Young Ambassador team arriving in a few weeks. On our last night together we enjoyed a traditional Brazilian barbecue as we reflected on the week and relaxed among new friends. We reminisced about the great Cooperative members and the beauty of the forest.

We came to a new country as representatives of Ernst & Young and departed Brazil with a more global experience as well as new perspectives on the environment, each other, and an opportunity to embed sustainability in our daily lives.

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ernst & Young LLP.

About the author - Matthew Collins
Matthew Collins, a Manager in the Audit Practice at Ernst & Young LLP, served as the team leader for the 2012 Earthwatch expedition to Brazil. He previously was a member of the 2010 Costa Rica Earthwatch expedition. Matthew participates in the Ernst &Young LLP Phoenix office Philanthropy and EcoCare committees and serves as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for the national not-for-profit organization New Global Citizens. Matthew received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Arizona.

Tweet me: How Ernst & Young Encourages Sustainable Development in Brazil http://3bl.me/d53ynr

KEYWORDS: Ernst & Young, sustainable development, Brazil, sustainability

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CITGO Supports Community Development in The Bronx

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SOURCE: CITGO Petroleum Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

From where will our next generation of community leaders come? Learn about the impact of CITGO's support for The Point in the Bronx.

About CITGO Petroleum Corporation
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit  www.CITGO.com

Tweet me: Where will our next generation of community leaders come from? http://3bl.me/8s3q3n

KEYWORDS: Citgo, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, the point, community leaders, community development, the bronx

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Deep in the Heart of Texas

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SOURCE: FedEx Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

by Nathan Loftice

Texans are known for being fiercely independent. That sort of self-sufficiency comes naturally for a state as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois combined. But with all bragging aside, we Texans know a thing or two about self-reliance, especially when it comes to our land.

Growing up on a cattle ranch in Texas, which has been in our family for five generations, our family farm provided everything we needed from fresh produce for our dinner table to hay to feed the cattle. My father made sure we understood the importance of being smart with our resources, especially water - the lifeline of a Texas ranch. By practicing conservation 365 days a year, we ensured there remained enough water in the well to sustain the farm during the dry, hot summer months.

Every weekend I return to our family’s ranch north of Dallas and often visit with many of my neighbors – mostly “old timers”, those fiercely independent ranchers and landowners, who all share the same concerns about our environment, especially water. It’s hot and there’s been a lack of rain, and it’s having brutal consequences. On my farm alone, the river dried up – both this summer and last summer.

The recent Texas drought, along with terrible wildfires, has deeply affected the land and the people who live on it, many of whom have lost their homes as a result of the destruction. The Bastrop fire last year outside Austin was the most destructive in state history, decimating 95 percent of the 6,600-acre Bastrop State Park, as well as the surrounding private forest lands. A tremendous casualty was the Lost Pines ecosystem, a 75,000-acre ecological island separated from larger pine forests in East Texas.

As part of the FedEx EarthSmart Outreach initiative to advance environmental sustainability in our communities, FedEx has joined the Arbor Day Foundation in advancing reforestation efforts in this unique Texas treasure. Earlier this summer, FedEx and the Arbor Day Foundation launched the Enchanted Forest on Facebook, which encourages participants to “plant a tree” in a virtual forest. For every tree planted, FedEx will contribute $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation, with the goal to “plant” 100,000 trees to help restore 500 acres of Texas forest area. With your support, we will work closely with the Arbor Day Foundation to continue helping with reforestation efforts at Lost Pines and other ecologically sensitive areas in the state. You can go directly to the Facebook application to plant a tree by visiting http://bit.ly/L308Xv.

I’m encouraging all of my fellow Texans (and honorary Texans) to participate, including the 18,000 FedEx team members we have across the state, many of whom are right here at our FedEx Office headquarters in Dallas. As the Senior Manager of Environmental Sustainability at FedEx Office, I have the privilege of seeing our company’s commitment to conservation and sustainability each and every day. I’m proud to work with our folks who have already shown an overwhelming support of environmental sustainability and forest conservation through such initiatives as the FedEx EarthSmart Innovations paper recycling program, in which we successfully collected and recycled over five million pounds of paper, saving the equivalent of more than 44,000 trees in its first year alone.

It’s this kind of commitment that shows the true Spirit of Texas, one in which we will regrow and renew our important forests across the Lone Star State.

*Note, this was first published on: http://greengopost.com/fedex-texas-drought-wildfires
** For more of Nathan’s story, check out his I am FedEx video: http://www.iamfedex.com/node/1055

Tweet me: Join us! http://bit.ly/L308Xv @FedExCares working with @arborday to help rebuild some of America's forests lost to drought & fire

KEYWORDS: forrest, pine, plant, reforestation, Texas, tree, acres, arbor, earthsmart outreach, FedEx, FedEx Corporation

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GM Employees Prepare for Week of Service

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First ‘teamGM Cares’ volunteer week attracts 4,250 employees for 110 projects

SOURCE: General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) Detroit, MI - September 7, 2012 - Some 4,250 General Motors employees nationwide will take on 110 community service projects – from building houses to cleaning up rivers to bagging and distributing groceries – as part of the first teamGM Cares volunteer week from Sept.10-15.

The participation in community service projects across America is expected to become an annual event to reinforce GM’s commitment to employee volunteerism and to highlight the importance of service. Employees are doing most of the volunteering during normal working hours.

“This is the first of many opportunities we will create to demonstrate our commitment to giving back and to showing our communities that we care,” GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson told employees recently. “We’re going to make it as easy as possible for our teamGM Cares Volunteers to help those in need.”

Volunteers from across General Motors’ various business functions and locations will participate in a variety of projects during the week, and throughout the month, including:

  • Building new houses and cleaning up neighborhoods with Habitat for Humanity in Detroit and Warren, Mich.
  • Cleaning up the banks of Wild Cat Creek in Kokomo, Ind.
  • Collecting canned goods for City Harvest food bank in New York City.
  • Collecting school supplies for high schools in Toledo, Ohio
  • Bagging and distributing groceries to residents in low-income housing within Ventura County, Calif., and its surrounding communities.Constructing a demo home for Food for the Poor in South Florida
  • Painting a building at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kan.
  • Cleaning up John Williams Boulevard as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program in Bedford, Ind.

“Our volunteer efforts are the way that we say thank you to the communities that host our business operations,” said Cadillac Marketing Manager Sabin Blake, head of the teamGM Cares volunteer organization. “Our program is getting stronger because the need in our communities is greater than ever. We are determined to make a difference.”

General Motors’ teamGM Cares brings GM employees together with nonprofits about which they are passionate. Since January 2011, teamGM Cares volunteers have contributed an estimated 16,500 hours of volunteer work. For every 50 hours a GM employee volunteers per year at an eligible nonprofit, the GM Foundation provides that organization with a $200 grant.

To learn more about the teamGM Cares volunteers, visit www.teamgmcares.com. For more information on the charitable work of the GM Foundation, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About General Motors Co.

General Motors (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. For more information, visitwww.gm.com/gmfoundation.

Tweet me: .@GM Employees Prepare for Week of #Service #teamGMCares http://3bl.me/cyy87p

KEYWORDS: GM Philanthropy, team GMCares, philanthropy

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Employers Groom Hires for Graduate School

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SOURCE: Deloitte

SUMMARY:

More and more companies are supporting their employees’ decision to go back to business school, by paying for test-prep courses, assisting with applications and practicing for business school interviews, a perk to attract top undergrad talent. Deloitte is among several companies mentioned In this Wall Street Journal article by reporter Melissa Korn, for their efforts to help employees who are applying to grad  school. In this article, Deloitte Consulting Principal Julie Meehan talks about Deloitte’s offerings to employees seeking an MBA, and Erin Kruse, a Chicago-based consultant at Deloitte, discusses how Deloitte supported her decision to go back to school.

DESCRIPTION:

Companies are advertising a rather peculiar perk to lure top undergraduate talent: Showing them the door—to graduate school, that is.

As a means of attracting stellar young hires, an increasing number of firms in finance, consulting and technology are shepherding employees through the graduate-school admissions process by organizing and paying for test-preparation courses, inviting admissions consultants to help with applications, arranging mock interviews with senior staffers and even bringing school representatives to information sessions at the office.

Companies support staffers attending a number of graduate programs, but business school is by far the most common destination.

It may seem counterintuitive to encourage employees to head for the exits, but firms say that assisting with the graduate-school application process leads to long-term loyalty and, with strings attached to tuition money, improves the chances that employees will return after graduation. (Most companies reimburse employees only after they've been back for a number of months or even years.)

Such programs have been in place for a while, but have grown more popular in recent years as the recruiting process heats up.

Employees generally begin applying to business school two or three years into their tenure. The prep programs, some of which require formal applications and a manager's sign-off, are generally geared toward high-potential employees and direct those employees toward top schools.

Corporate interest in the GMAT course at Manhattan Prep picked up about six years ago and has grown steadily since, says Evyn Williams, senior manager of marketing and corporate relations at the New York-based test-prep company.

Manhattan Prep's client list—it boasts more than 40 corporate partnerships including dedicated classes and discount rates—reads like a who's who of feeders for (and recruiters from) elite graduate business schools, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., GS +3.21% Boston Consulting Group Inc., Deloitte Consulting LLP and Google Inc. GOOG -0.05%

Hoping to snag top talent, BCG began supporting GMAT test preparation in 2005 and brought courses on-site in 2008, though more recently it shifted to online courses to better accommodate traveling employees.

Jennifer Comparoni, head of Americas recruiting at BCG, says the support available for graduate-school applicants is "absolutely" part of the company's recruiting pitch when hiring undergraduates.

The firm also partners applicants with more senior employees who hold M.B.A.s to assist in crafting essays and preparing for interviews. The aid doesn't end once the employee gets an acceptance letter: about 75% of associates who spend at least two years with the firm are offered full-tuition sponsorship for up to two years of graduate school, with reimbursement upon return to the firm after graduation.

Ms. Comparoni declined to provide financial details of the admissions assistance programs, but it could easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars at many companies, and more for those that cover school tuition.

Manhattan Prep charges a retail price of $1,590 for its nine-week GMAT course, and while corporate partners do get a discount, Ms. Williams says many still pay more than $1,000 per person. Class sizes generally range from 15 to 25 people, and some clients sell out sessions at multiple offices. Manhattan Prep has run about 40 dedicated corporate classes in the past year.

Washington Post Co.'s WPO -1.76% Kaplan Test Prep also has been teaming up with companies for years, but Howard Bell, vice president of graduate programs, says there's recently been "significant growth" there as well. The company declined to provide details of its corporate rates, but retail courses at a Kaplan center cost $1,599 per student, while virtual courses range from $599 to $949.

"It's a very significant investment, both financially and time-wise, but we see it as one of the most important things that we do in terms of developing our practitioners," says Julie Meehan, a principal at Deloitte who oversees undergraduate recruiting for the strategy and operations practice.

Ms. Meehan says the broad perspective that business school provides helps with consulting assignments that require creative problem-solving. An M.B.A. also is a "great equalizer," filling in knowledge gaps for staffers who may not have been undergraduate finance majors or are unfamiliar with marketing strategy.

Unlike in medicine and law, professionals in the business world can practice without attending graduate school or receiving some form of licensure. An M.B.A. may not be a legal requirement, but it's still very much a rite of passage at many companies.

"You need to get your M.B.A. to move up the ranks" and become a principal in the strategy and operations group, Ms. Meehan says.

In addition to the staffers who sign up for company-sponsored test-prep courses, which are coordinated with "a handful" of companies, Ms. Meehan estimates that as many as 100 employees each year from the strategy and operations practice attend virtual and in-person presentations, arranged by Deloitte, by admissions consultants and representatives from top schools.

Erin Kruse, a Chicago-based manager in the strategy service line at Deloitte, says the company's support for business school "was a key point" in her decision to take the job offer in 2006. Ms. Kruse, 28 years old, returned to Deloitte last fall after completing her M.B.A. at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Ms. Kruse participated in interview preparation and resume review sessions hosted by Deloitte staffers, receiving advice on how to highlight her professional experiences in the application. She also attended an all-day symposium, sponsored by Deloitte, which included one-on-one meetings with school representatives.

Meanwhile, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina began publicizing an all-expenses-paid, on-site Kaplan-led GMAT course last fall and enrolled about 30 students each for that and for a similar GRE class. The company previously ran test-prep courses through its "Blue University" internal training outfit. Employee affinity groups also offer some support on a more ad hoc basis.

Tweet me: Great article by @BizEdWSJ about companies that help employees get into B-school. Check out the story here http://ow.ly/dvSK6

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Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids plant recognized by Iowa governor for environmental leadership

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SOURCE: PepsiCo

DESCRIPTION:

The Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was among 12 Iowa businesses recently honored by Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad for outstanding contributions to the environment.

The Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa, recognizing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowa’s natural resources. The awards honor organizations with comprehensive environmental ethics and commitment.

The plant received the award in recognition of its commitment to being an environmental leader within the larger company and the community. In 2011, Quaker reduced natural gas, electricity and water consumption, formed the Regional Sustainable Business Alliance (RSBA), established a recycling program at a local elementary school and sponsored various activities to promote Earth Day and America Recycles Day. The plant's Green Team meets monthly to identify and implement recycling and resource conservation opportunities; other associates act as sustainability leaders within their operating teams, communicate performance metrics and complete quarterly audits.

 

Tweet me: .@Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids plant recognized by Iowa governor for environmental leadership http://3bl.me/f45bnn

KEYWORDS: Food & Farming, Reporting, Ratings & Rankings, quaker oats, Pepsico, environmental excellence awards, Iowa, awards

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Fair Trade: Fare Thee Well?

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SOURCE: Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

 

BY ELISA BIRNBAUM

See Change Magazine

ON SEPTEMBER 05, 2012

While on assignment in Costa Rica recently, I toured a fair trade-certified coffee cooperative. After witnessing the rigorous work that went into producing each aromatic cup of my beloved beverage, I met with workers on the ground, hearing firsthand their assessment of fair trade. The reviews were positive, one man even calling it a blessing for their families and livelihoods, with the help of vigorous hand motions and an interpreter.

But I was still left wondering. Sure, fair trade has made inroads, but is it doing enough? Even if we focus specifically on coffee, is certification meeting the needs of producers, workers and buyers?

The question is particularly timely considering a kerfuffle last year, wherebyFair Trade USA resigned its membership from Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), today the world’s most widely recognized fair trade labeling organization, and created an independent entity. The ensuing rift sent shockwaves through the fair trade community, with opponents and proponents equally vocal in their response, and the undecided left scratching their heads.

What is fair trade?

Fair trade, the business, the principles, the approach have received a lot of attention lately. It’s no wonder. With environmental sustainability on the lips of many and with producers of so many products – coffee, flowers, bananas, tea, cocoa, cotton, sugar, etc. – working in the developing world, where two billion people live in poverty, the pursuit of ethical business and purchasing practices makes sense.

Over the years, various initiatives were established to answer that call. In 1997, FLO brought many under one umbrella, creating worldwide standards and certification. In 2002, it launched FLO-CERT, an independent body that inspects and certifies producer organizations and audits traders. According to FLO (which became Fairtrade International in 2011), more than 1.2 million producers and workers in 58 developing countries now benefit from global Fairtrade sales, which have been growing at an average of 31 percent per year over the last five years. There are now over 27 000 Fairtrade labelled products sold in more than 115 coun­tries.

Fair trade can reach farther

Sounds positive, right? Perhaps. In fact, despite the break-up, Fair Trade USA chief impact officer, Mary Jo Cook is quick to assert, “We’re united by a common mission to alleviate poverty through trade and to promote sustainable development.” But, she explains, after trying for several years to innovate within the FLO model, the group felt it had no choice but to leave. Why, you ask? In a nutshell, Fair Trade USA - led by outspoken president and CEO, Paul Rice - believes fair trade can do better.

There are two billion people living on less than two dollars a day and the traditional fair trade model reaches less than 1% of them, explains Cook. The organization’s renewed vision, Fair Trade for All, is focused on inclusivity, investing in cooperatives, and promoting customer engagement, all with the hope of doubling fair trade’s impact by 2015. “Fair trade can be a big part of the solution; it just has to reach more people,” says Cook.

Continue reading article on SeeChangeMagazine.com

 

 

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Food & Farming, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, fair trade, Fair Trade USA, FLO

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Unprecedented Donation by Korean Stem Cell Leader: Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra of RNL Bio announces the donation of 90% of his wealth

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Stressing the "importance of corporate responsibility," Dr. Ra's donations will advance social institutions dedicated to helping patients with retractable diseases

SOURCE: RNL Bio

DESCRIPTION:

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2012 / 3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra, founder and largest shareholder of RNL Bio (www.rnl.co.kr), an international biotechnology research and development firm, has pledged to give away 90% of his personal wealth over the next 10 years to promote social causes consistent with the values of human life.  Dr. Ra will donate 90% privately owned equity, equity-related bonds, warrants and other assets of RNL Bio Co. and RNL Bio affiliates to the following four non-profit organizations: Bethesda Life Foundation, Yesung Medical Corporation, Academia Christiana of Korea, and Central Christian Academy.

Since 2009, Dr. Ra, based on the value of respect for human life, has supported various causes that promote social justice, access to health care, and wellness across the lifespan. A donation of $1M from Dr. Ra established the Bethesda Life Foundation (http://www.bethesdalife.org/index.php/donate), a nonprofit organization for social welfare, committed to providing patients with chronic rare diseases with access to medical care and life-saving therapies.

Through his donation, Dr. Ra wants to continue his healthcare support for those with retractable diseases as well as support for educating children of underprivileged patients with such diseases. Dr. Ra "hoped that this donation becomes the turning point for RNL Bio to fulfill its responsibility as a society helping enterprise." He also explained that while he continues to serve as a stem cell scientist at RNL Stem Cell Technology Institute he plans to focus his efforts upon the research on finding cure of rare chronic diseases.

Dr. Ra's gift is made in the spirit of other major corporate leaders worldwide who have become instrumental philanthropists by converting their personal fortune into a foundation for good, including Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Bill Clinton. Dr. Ra is mirroring Mr. Buffet and Mr. Gates' contributions that were made in late 2010 for the wealthy to donate at least 50% of their personal wealth.

A Commitment to Healing and Social Justice

Bethesda Life Foundation
Bethesda Life Foundation supports patients of rare and chronic disease in the socially and economically underprivileged class with various medical help.  The mission of Bethesda Life Foundation is, based on the value life-respect, for all mankind to enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Yesung Medical Corporation
Yesung Medical Corporation operates the Bethesda General Hospital, located in Yangsan, Korea and the hospital has advanced in specializing the regenerative medicine using adult stem cell research and technology. With the realization of 100-year longevity utilizing stem cells as the mission, the corporation is enhancing the medical technology of respect for life.

Academia Christiana of Korea
Academia Christiana was established in order to contribute to establish the mental discipline of the country and people by Christian studies to meet the growth and development of the Church in Korea. Academia Christiana of Korea has been organizing academic seminars and public lectures, publishing academic research papers and operating Ulaanbaatar University in Mongol.

Central Christian Academy School Corporation
Founder Pastor Billy Kim and his wife were sent out to return to Korea in 1959 as missionaries from the Christian Service Center, an international mission organization, based in Ohio, USA and appointed to Suwon Central Baptist Church. After establishing Central Kindergarten in 1978, he obtained the lot in Woncheon-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Korea, received the approval of School Corporation to open the Central Christian School to achieve the goal of nurturing Christians to become the world's salt and light through cooperation of homes, schools and churches.

 

CONTACT: RNL Bio PR Office, +82-2-874-0686 X207 or +82-10-5161-9630

Copyright 2012 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

Tweet me: Unprecedented Donation by Korean Stem Cell Leader: Dr. Jeong-Chan Ra of RNL Bio donates 90% of his wealth http://3bl.me/ksax6z

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, Health and Wellness, Biotechnology, stem cell, RNL Bio

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Sustainable Supplier Relationships are Key to Business Success

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Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company

SOURCE: Taiga Company

DESCRIPTION:

“Procurement is uniquely positioned to increase quality, delivery, and partnerships between critical suppliers and internal business partners. Leveraging a fortified relationship to manage supplier performance is a powerful way for procurement organizations to create value for the enterprise beyond just cost reductions”.  –Procurement Strategy Council

With the shift in consumer preferences over the past few years, companies have been aggressive to respond to the growing ‘sustainability’ value opportunity.  As a component of this understanding, lifecycle questions remain a hurdle in many industries.  Thus, many companies today are looking up the value chain and asking more probing questions: Click here to continue reading, Sustainable Supplier Relationships are Key to Business Success

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".

Tweet me: Sustainable Supplier Relationships are Key to Business Success http://3bl.me/wdm3we by @TaigaCompany #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, csr, Taiga Company, sustainability

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ICMM, IUCN and UNESCO Host Workshop Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage: Engagement With Extractive Industries at IUCN World Congress

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Yesterday, at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) held a joint workshop in partnership with UNESCO and IUCN.

SOURCE: International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) September 10, 2012 - Yesterday, at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) held a joint workshop in partnership with UNESCO and IUCN. Participants from the conservation and extractive industry sectors explored how the extractives sector interacts with the world’s unique areas for biological and cultural diversity.

After a brief introduction by Guy Debonnet (UNESCO, Chief, Special Projects Unit, Programme Specialist Natural Heritage World Heritage), Tim Badman (IUCN, Director World Heritage Programme), Samy Mankoto (UNESCO, Man and Biospheres Programme), and Anne-Marie Fleury (Director, Environment, ICMM) participants took part in an interactive quiz to begin to unravel the complexities at the heart of the conflicts between extractives and World Heritage. They also explored the value of “no-go” commitments, such as the almost 10 year old commitment made by ICMM member companies not to explore or mine in World Heritage properties.
 
Rachel Asante-Owusu, Project Officer for the Business and Biodiversity Programme of IUCN, commented that “Whilst the no-go commitment is a valuable tool in delivering conservation outcomes for World Heritage Sites -as the World Heritage and Extractive Industries report highlights- more needs to be done by various stakeholders including State Parties”.
 
Pippa Howard, Director, Business and Biodiversity at Fauna & Flora International, said “A lot of the conflict and frustration stems from a lack of clarity around how national governments interpret what is allowed and what isn’t within World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve zones. We feel there is an imperative for the World Heritage Convention and Biosphere Reserves Steering Group to strengthen their frameworks and provide clarity on requirements. We all want clear rules."
 
This workshop follows the publication of an independent report on the current World Heritage processes and practices with regard to the relationship between the extractives sector and natural World Heritage Sites. The study was managed by the independent consultant, Dr. Stephen Turner. It was supported by Shell, JP Morgan, UNESCO and IUCN, with whom ICMM has a five-year Memorandum of Understanding.
 
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) was established in 2001 to improve sustainable development performance in the mining and metals industry. Today, it brings together 22 mining and metals companies as well as 34 national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations. ICMM serves as an agent for change and continual improvement. Our vision is one of leading companies working together and with others to strengthen the contribution of mining, minerals and metals to sustainable development.
 
 
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

Tweet me: Read abt Biospheres and World Heritage workshop at #iucn2012 Congress, by ICMM @UNESCO and @IUCN http://bit.ly/P7pUfA #workingtogether #csr

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Environment, ICMM, IUCN, UNESCO, biosphere reserves, IUCN World Congress, world heritage, International Council on Mining and Metals

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Make a New (School) Year Resolution: Get Into Digital Shape

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SOURCE: Trend Micro

DESCRIPTION:

By Lynette Owens

Every January 1, I make a list of personal goals for the coming year. Year after year, 80% of the items on each year’s list are the same. Meaning: I’m pretty bad about keeping New Year’s resolutions.

But unlike the calendar year, the start of a new school year is an entirely different experience for my family. Whether by necessity or the search for sanity, our summer habits end and new habits begin. And stay. It’s a far more successful endeavor on September 1 then on January 1.

The start of a new school year is a great time to take advantage of this motivation and add a new resolution to your family’s list: Get into digital shape.

Continue reading about getting into digital shape here >>

Tweet me: NEW BLOG: Make a New (School) Year Resolution: Get Into Digital Shape http://ow.ly/dICbP @TrendMicro #onlinesafety #digitalliteracy

Contact Info:

Trend Micro
internetsafety@trendmicro.com
http://www.trendmicro.com/internetsafety

KEYWORDS: trend micro, internet safety, cell phones, cyberbullying, digital citizenship, digital literacy, Education, media literacy, online privacy, online safety, parents, sexting, social networking

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Tracking Green Investment: Green Transition Scoreboard Gives Insights into Global Trends

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SOURCE: Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

As of July 2012, $3.6 trillion USD has been invested globally by the private sector since 2007. The Green Transition Scoreboard® (GTS), by Ethical Markets, tracks global private investment in the green economy. Investments are tracked in six sectors: Renewable Energy; Green Construction; Green R&D; Smart Grid; Energy Efficiency and Cleantech.

Ethical Markets Global Green R&D Report is a supplement to the Green Transition Scoreboard full report. "Significant investments in Green R&D symbolize that a company has integrated sustainability into its core strategy," reads the supplement report framing the importance of R&D. [1]

Green R&D in Focus
Specifically tracking Green R&D dollars invested, the report provides a breakdown and discussion of Country and Sector data, while naming corporate leaders in various industries. The top three countries for greatest private investment in Green R&D are Germany at number one with over $72 billion (represented by 9 companies), followed by Japan and the United States.

Click here to continue reading and comment

Meirav Even-Har is a Justmeans staff blogger. She reports on Canadian CSR issues. Meirav is an independent sustainability consultant and writer working in Toronto, Canada.

Tweet me: Of the $3.6 trillion that has been invested globally by the private sector since July, how much was for #green energy? http://bit.ly/OBoMj7

KEYWORDS: renewable energy, csr, Smart Grid, Green Energy, electric cars, Solar, cleantech, green economy, GM, Siemens, GE, Toyota, Green Transition Scoreboard, Green R&D, Ethical Markets, SSI, Magna International

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Ten Teachers Receive Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award

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SOURCE: General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) Detroit, MI – September 14, 2012 – Earth Force and the General Motors Foundation recognized 10 environmental educators with the Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award.

Now in its second year, the award honors educators who integrate innovative environmental education into their work. To help inspire others, winners highlight their teaching tools and best practices on the GREEN Educator website.

“Our goal is to recognize educators who go above and beyond to make education come alive and ‘mean something,’” said Lisa Bardwell, president and CEO of Earth Force. “We want to share their stories and resources to inspire others to encourage young people about learning, the environment, and the kinds of leaders they can be in their community."

The educators encourage students to lead their own learning by connecting them to their communities, building local partnerships and serving as a mentor and advocate for the environment. The winners are:

  • April Yorks, Flint, Mich. (Kearsley-Armstrong Middle School)
  • Dominique Evans-Bye, La Crescenta-Montrose, Calif. (Clark Magnet High School)
  • Kate Mini Hilliman, Tonawanda, N.Y. (Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education)
  • Kathleen Vrable-Bryan, Youngstown, Ohio (Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District)
  • Kathryn Lynch, Eugene, Ore. (University of Oregon)
  • Loree Harvey, Monte Vista, Colo. (Monte Vista Middle School)
  • Michele Arquette-Palermo, Rochester, Mich. (Clinton River Watershed Council)
  • Stephen J. Ritz, South Bronx, N.Y. (Green Bronx Machine)
  • Timothy H. Anderson, Princeton, N.J. (Princeton High School)
  • Tracy Hollis, Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Prairie Independent School District)

“These teachers are at the forefront of hands-on learning both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Mike Robinson, GM Foundation board member and GM vice president of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs.

“The GM Foundation understands the importance of engaging our next generation of engineers and community leaders, whether it’s through our own GM GREEN watershed education program or recognition of outstanding environmental educators,” Robinson said.

GM is in its 23rd year supporting GM GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network), a partnership with Earth Force to help youth understand how their actions impact local watersheds. The interactive learning experience continues to gain traction, and this year marks the first time every GM manufacturing site in the United States will mentor students in their local community on water quality. Last year, GM volunteers waded into streams with 9,312 students from nearly 100 schools.

About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit http://www.gm.com/company/aboutGM/gm_foundation.html

About Earth Force
Earth Force is a national 501(c)(3) organization with headquarters in Denver, CO. Our mission is to engage young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. Through Earth Force and our network of partners, young people get hands-on, real-world opportunities to practice civic skills, acquire a deep understanding of the environment, and develop the skills and motivation to become life-long leaders in addressing community issues. Visit us at www.earthforce.org or follow us at @earthforce to learn more.

Tweet me: Ten #Teachers Receive @Chevrolet #GREEN #Educator Award http://3bl.me/qbc3gx

KEYWORDS: GM Resource Preservation, GM Foundation, GM GREEN

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September 19 Webinar To Feature Frances Moore Lappé Presenting From Her Latest Book EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think, To Create the World We Want

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International Society of Sustainability Professionals Welcomes Groundbreaking Author In Latest Installment of Monthly Sustainability Webinars Open to All

SOURCE: International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) September 14, 2012 - In EcoMind, Frances Moore Lappé — a giant of the environmental movement — confronts accepted wisdom of environmentalism. Drawing on the latest research from anthropology to neuroscience and her own field experience, she argues that the biggest challenge to human survival isn't our fossil fuel dependency, melting glaciers, or other calamities. Rather, it's our faulty way of thinking about these environmental crises that robs us of power. Lappé dismantles seven common thought traps — from limits to growth to the failings of democracy — that belie what we now know about nature, including our own, and offers contrasting thought leaps that reveal our hidden power.

Join Moore Lappé as she discusses the core concepts of EcoMind during a one-hour Webinar on Wednesday September 19 from 11 am – noon Pacific Time. The Webinar, hosted by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, is free to ISSP members and costs just $10 for non-members to participate.

Like her 1971 classic Diet for a Small Planet, the first major book to critique grain-fed meat production as wasteful, EcoMind is challenging, controversial and empowering. In EcoMind, Moore Lappé suggests that as we reframe each of the seven common thought traps, we can move from the scarcity-mind to the eco-mind, and, in so doing, our way of seeing life—and our place in it—moves from the premise of separateness to connection, statis to continuous change, and, scarcity to co-creation.

Earlier this year, EcoMind was awarded a silver medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards in the environment/ecology/nature category. Jane Goodall called the book "powerful and inspiring. "Ecomind will open your eyes and change your thinking. I want everyone to read it," Goodall said.

For more information about the Webinar and to register, please visit http://ow.ly/dnLpJ. If you are unable to attend the online event live, please register to receive a link to the recording in order to view and listen later.

About Frances Moore Lappé

Moore Lappé is the author of 17 books, and co-founder of three organizations, including Food First: The Institute for Food and Development Policy and, more recently, the Small Planet Institute, a collaborative network for research and popular education seeking to bring democracy to life, which she leads with her daughter Anna Lappé. Frances and her daughter have also co-founded the Small Planet Fund, which channels resources to democratic social movements worldwide.

About ISSP

The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is the world's leading professional association for sustainability professionals. ISSP is a member driven association committed to moving the profession of sustainability forward through building strong networks and communities of practice. Formed in 2007, ISSP boasts hundreds of members from every continent in the world. Members share resources, best practices and professional development. Webinars, Webchats, on-line classes, special reports, resource directories, salary surveys, and a professional competency study are just a sampling of the rich content offered to members. For more information about ISSP and its offerings, please visit http://sustainabilityprofessionals.org.

Tweet me: 9.19 Webinar by #ISSP features EcoMind author Frances Moore Lappe http://ow.ly/dnLpJ

KEYWORDS: Eco-Living, Consumption & Travel, Events, Conferences & Webinars, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Frances Moore Lappé, ISSP, International Society of Sustainability Professionals, ecomind, sustainability

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United Way for Southeastern Michigan Relights Torch; Kicks Off $35 Million Community Giving Campaign

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SOURCE: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:

  • The torch, a long-standing United Way symbol, blazes back to life after standing dark for five years
  • United Way Campaign Chair Sergio Marchionne, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and United Way President and CEO Michael J. Brennan lead Torch Lighting Ceremony on Hart Plaza

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) Detroit, MI - September 14, 2012 - Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne, who also serves as United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Campaign Chair, kicked-off the annual community giving campaign today with a symbolic torch lighting ceremony on Detroit’s Hart Plaza to announce a $35 million fundraising goal for the organization, which represents an 11% increase over last year.

To view video from this event, click here: http://youtu.be/3HRAtecFD58

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and United Way President and CEO Michael J. Brennan, along with many community members, civic, business and community leaders and supporters, attended the event. After standing dark for five years, the torch was relit to signify a monumental change in the way that the public and private sectors are working together to achieve a common goal – making greater Detroit one of the top five places in the country to live and work by the year 2030, which is the year when children born in 2012 will graduate from high school.

Supporting United Way ensures that positive, lasting community change will continue to occur at a grassroots level. The last few years have been financially tough for the organization, which relies on a combination of individual and corporate contributions, as well as grant funding, to survive.

“Metro Detroiters also have gone through tough times more than once, and they have always demonstrated the courage and determination to get back on their feet. These experiences give us the strength and the hope to move forward, to repair what has been damaged and to build something even better,” Marchionne told the crowd assembled in downtown Detroit. Mayor Bing and Michael Brennan concurred.

"Chrysler Group LLC, and its employees, has a long history of generosity and leadership. We count on you to maintain this tradition and to be a part of creating remarkable and tangible change in our community," said Brennan.

"Our goal today is to inspire action and to encourage greater community involvement," stated Mayor Bing. "This event represents an important and symbolic day in Detroit’s history."

This year’s fundraising campaign is supported by a new pro bono marketing campaign created by the Dearborn-based advertising agency Team Detroit Inc. It’s known as the “Better Headlines” campaign and is focused on positive news headlines for the year 2030 that can be anticipated if people continue to donate to United Way and fund the efforts it supports in three areas—Education, Financial Stability and Basic Needs.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Torch Lighting kick-offs the community fundraising campaign, which will run until the end of this year.

This summer, Chrysler Group partnered with United Way in the fight against childhood hunger throughout Detroit metro area communities. As a result, the partnership served up more than 100,000 summer meals for hungry children. In 2011, Chrysler Group employees donated more than $4.6 million to United Way campaigns in the U.S. and in Canada; and employees volunteered thousands of hours in support of United Way agencies and activities.

About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.LiveUnitedSEM.org.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group’s culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat’s complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Durango, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Follow Chrysler news and video on:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com

Additional information and news from Chrysler Group LLC is available at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

Tweet me: #UnitedWay for Southeastern Michigan Kicks Off Annual Giving Campaign; Re-Ignites Torch http://youtu.be/3HRAtecFD58

KEYWORDS: Events, Conferences & Webinars, Food & Farming, People, Social Action & Community Engagement, Chrysler, United Way, community giving

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Quest Diagnostics Marks Ninth Year on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

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SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) Madison, NJ - September 14, 2012 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, has again been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index. Quest Diagnostics is in its ninth year on the World Index (since 2004) and in its eighth on the North America Index (since 2005).

"All of us at Quest Diagnostics are proud to have again earned a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index," said Steve RusckowskiQuest Diagnostics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "We take even greater pride in the commitments these rankings reflect – to the patients we serve, our employees and their families, and the communities and environments where we work and live."

Launched in 1999, the DJSI are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. The DJSI enable investors to integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios while providing an effective engagement platform for encouraging companies to adopt sustainable best practices. The result of the Corporate Sustainability Assessment provides an in-depth analysis of economic, environmental and social criteria, such as corporate governance, water-related risks and stakeholder relations, with a special focus on industry-specific risks and opportunities.

More information on the DJSI, including a list of all component companies, is available at: www.sustainability-indexes.com. To learn more about Quest Diagnostics' commitment to responsible corporate citizenship, and to view the company's latest Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit QuestCares.com.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff.Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at QuestDiagnostics.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/QuestDiagnostics and Twitter.com/QuestDX.

Media: Barb Short / Caitlin McHugh – 973-520-2800 
Investor: Kathleen Valentine – 973-520-2900

Tweet me: .@QuestDx Marks Ninth Year on #DowJones #Sustainability Index http://3bl.me/e4amf6

KEYWORDS: Quest Diagnostics, Dow Jones, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, sustainability, quest, csr, Corporate Sustainability

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Rego Park’s Nicole Griffith named first Ernst and Young Mentor of the Year

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SOURCE: Ernst & Young

DESCRIPTION:

Nicole Griffith received the first Ernst and Young Mentor of the Year Award at the second annual Mentor’s Champions Golf Challenge held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Friar’s Head Golf Club in Riverhead, L.I.

The 38-year-old Rego Park resident, who has been working at Ernst and Young LLP for 11 months, is assistant director and lead recruiter for the firm’s Financial Services Division in Manhattan.

Griffith received the award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to youth mentoring through the firm’s iMentor program. Organizers of the event also commended Griffith for demonstrating qualities associated with being a mentor such as patience, understanding, openness and helping mentees reach their goals.

Nancy Altobello, Americas vice chair of People, at Ernst and Young, with the help of actor Samuel L. Jackson, presented the award to Griffith.

The event was presented by Ernst and Young, and Roundtable Investment Partners.

For more information, visit mentoring.org.

Tweet me: EY's Nicole Griffith named Mentor of the Year! http://3bl.me/tqs7gr

KEYWORDS: Education, Mentoring, mentor

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Special Olympics Michigan Athletes Pedal to the Finish Line at Chelsea Proving Grounds

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SOURCE: Chrysler Group LLC

DESCRIPTION:

For the second year in a row, Special Olympics Michigan athletes battled it out at Chrysler Group’s Chelsea Proving Grounds in the coveted State Cycling Finals on Saturday, September 8. What turned out to be a crisp, colorful fall day, set the scene for more than 170 athletes and a solid support system of coaches, family, friends and Chrysler Group volunteers.

To view a video of this event, click here: http://youtu.be/dwi2B2b0aoA

“As always we’re excited and happy to give back to the community,” said Bob Jordan, Head of the Chelsea and Arizona Proving Grounds. “We find it really satisfying to be able to take a facility we normally use for product development and use if for something like this.” This is second consecutive year that the Chelsea Proving Grounds has played host to the State Cycling Finals.  “This venue is perfectly suited for this kind of activity,” added Jordan.

For more than four decades, the Special Olympics has provided children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in a wide range of year-round sport competitions totaling more than 440 local and regional activities annually. Cycling is one of a nearly dozen state-level competitions held annually for its athletes with 15 individual and team events using bicycles and tricycles.

Today, all of the athletes were true to the Special Olympics Athlete Oath read before every competition: “Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Originally recited by Roman gladiators before entering an arena to the biggest battle of their lives, the oath reminds all that they are part of a longstanding tradition with a goal to compete with all of their effort and bravery by pushing to greater heights.

Additional information and news from Chrysler Group LLC is available at http:\\www.media.chrysler.com
 

Tweet me: Special Olympics Michigan Athletes Pedal for Gold #SOMI http://3bl.me/zycacv

KEYWORDS: Chrysler, Special Olympics, chelsea proving grounds, Michigan

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Electric Vehicle (EV) Week to Open in San Francisco

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An EV expo and “ride and drives” staged in financial district

SOURCE: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

DESCRIPTION:

(3BL Media) San Francisco, CA - September 14, 2012 – San Francisco’s first ever EV Week will open at Justin Herman Plaza, September 17-18, and will feature all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles from major car manufacturers and car sharing companies, EV charging solutions, including clean energy EV charging, and the opportunity to ride and drive select electric vehicles.   EV Week is an initiative of Charge Across Town™, an electric vehicle (EV) education campaign aimed at making San Francisco the leading U.S. city in EV adoption and infrastructure.

EV Week consists of a 2-day Expo featuring new and recently released electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.  Toyota will be showing the RAV4 EV, which combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV model; in addition Toyota will be showing the Prius Plug-In.  Both the RAV4 EV and Prius Plug-In will be available for test-drives.  Nissan will have many all-electric Leaf’s on display and in the ride and drives.  DriveNow, the new premium car sharing service from BMW, will have the ActiveE available to drive.  Honda and Zipcar have teamed up to showcase the Honda Fit EV.   Other car manufacturers and vehicles participating include Serramonte Ford with the Ford Focus Electric, Coda Automotive, Marin Luxury Cars will show a Fisker Karma, and Tesla will bring the Model S.   Car Sharing companies, City Car Share, and Get Around will show electric cars from their fleet and peer-to-peer business. 

On EV charging and infrastructure, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will exhibit its all electric pickup truck for emergency response, and focus on smart grid solutions for EVs.  SunPower Corporation, who has solar partnerships with car companies and others, will demonstrate how a solar array can work to power EV charging stations.  Schneider-Electric will be demonstrating their EV Link family of charging solutions. 

For complete information on exhibitors, please see http://www.chargeacrosstown.com/ev-week/

“We are excited to bring this FREE and FUN event to Justin Herman Plaza to demonstrate what the future of clean, green transportation looks like,” said Maureen Blanc, Director, Charge Across Town.  “Our goal is to engage with the San Francisco business community, to get employers and employees behind the wheel of these cars, and see how practical, reliable and cool these vehicles really are.”

According to Blanc, with 40% of greenhouse gas emissions coming from vehicles in the bay area it makes sense to drive hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric vehicles.  In addition, the electricity to charge these vehicles is generated from a relatively clean mix of energy sources, including hydroelectric, and a growing portion of renewable energies including solar and wind. 

“Charge Across Town is catalyzing the effort with consumers, nonprofits and the business community to get San Francisco EV-Ready,” said San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee.  “EVs have the power to reduce dependency on oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save people money, and revitalize the economy here in San Francisco and across the country. EV Week demonstrates once again why San Francisco is the Innovation Capital of the World.”

EV Week is supported by sponsors: Toyota Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric, Nissan and Nissan Infiniti, BMW’s DriveNow and SunPower Corporation.

 

About Charge Across Town

Charge Across Townä is a collaborative effort between city government, local businesses and the electric vehicle (EV) community to advance the adoption of EVs, reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector, and helps create clean energy jobs in California and beyond.   Charge Across Town will raise awareness of EVs and educate consumers on the benefits, costs and feasibility of owning an electric car.  It will advance the EV infrastructure by educating and incentivizing commercial and residential property owners on the costs and benefits of installing EV charging stations. For more information visit www.chargeacrosstown.com.

Tweet me: Join #PG&E and Charge Across Town for San Francisco EV Week Sept. 17-20 http://3bl.me/wppgx5 @pge4me @areyouevready

Contact Info:

Jennifer Kern
+1 (415) 277-6975
jkern@prandcompany.com
Twitter: @areyouevready
http://www.chargeacrosstown.com/ev-week/

Jason King
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
+1 (415) 973-5930
pge@3blmedia.com

KEYWORDS: electric vehicles, PG&E, electric vehicle week

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Darden’s People Commitment At-A-Glance

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SOURCE: Darden Restaurants

DESCRIPTION:

At Darden, people are the company’s most valuable asset. While growth and strong operations are important, Darden strives to create social value by contributing to the success and well-being of the people whose lives the company touches. Darden supports and develops employees by giving them opportunities to excel through education, competitive pay, valuable benefits and room for growth. Darden creates thousands of jobs in hundreds of communities in the U.S. and Canada and provides charitable dollars and volunteers to support the issues important to each community, including postsecondary education, preservation of natural resources and hunger relief. Darden has leveraged strategic partnerships around the globe, enabling the company to learn from others as well as teach what it has learned in order to drive large-scale change and expand its social impact.

Darden’s People commitments have four focus areas:

  1. Strong Culture:
  • Approach: Darden is committed to building a strong, people-focused culture where every employee is treated with respect and given opportunities to achieve his or her dreams.
  • In FY11, Darden was the first full service restaurant company named to the FORTUNE® "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. That success was repeated in FY12 when FORTUNE® also recognized Darden as a "Diversity Champion," ranking it among the top 20 employers on the list for diverse workforces.
  • With nearly 180,000 employees at almost 2,000 restaurants, Darden is one of the 30 largest private employers in the United States. Darden employees are on the front lines, preparing and serving more than 400 million meals a year – making the difference between a good guest experience and a great one.
  1. Economic Impact:
  • Approach: Darden firmly believes sustainability will be a key contributor to the continued growth of the company, enabling Darden to provide economic benefits to a broad range of stakeholders. Effectively managing the company and ensuring it is financially successful is a precursor to achieving Darden’s sustainability aspirations. But that's not to say that sustainability is an after-thought; sustainability is a core pillar of Darden’s overall corporate strategy because the company is firmly convinced that managing its business in a way that is aligned with its core values and conserves natural resources contributes to Darden’s long-term financial success.
  • Sustainability Savings: Between FY08 and FY11, Darden realized $18 million in costs savings as a result of its sustainability investments and the company estimates that it will save an additional $10-$12 million by FY16. In FY11, Darden's sales from continuing operations were $7.50 billion, a 5.4 percent increase from FY10.
  • Restaurant Growth: Darden opened almost 100 new restaurants in FY12, bringing the total number of restaurants to 1,993 by the end of the fiscal year. Darden estimates that it will open 80 to 100 new restaurants each year by FY16, adding almost 50,000 net new jobs in the next five years.
  • Community Investment: Each time Darden opens a new restaurant the company is making a 30-year investment in a community. Each of Darden’s restaurants requires an approximately $3.5 million capital investment to build and supports approximately 200 construction jobs. And once the restaurant is operational, it sustains an average of 100 permanent jobs.
  • Growth Creates Opportunities: Jobs at Darden are an opportunity for employees to excel. The average hourly wage for a server at Darden's restaurant brands is approximately twice the national minimum wage of $7.25, while the average hourly wage for a busser, an entry-level job, is more than $4 higher than the national minimum wage. In addition, Darden spent more than $3 billion on products from 2,000 suppliers in 35 different countries. And nearly 10 percent of those purchasing expenditures were with minority- and women-owned suppliers.
  1. Strategic Partnerships:
  • Approach: The common theme among all of Darden's sustainability efforts is collaboration through strategic partnerships to meaningfully identify and reach systemic solutions. Working collaboratively and with a genuine commitment to find collective solutions helps Darden to share its experience and perspective – and to learn from the experience and perspective of others. This philosophy guides Darden’s stakeholder relations from how the company works with its suppliers to help them improve their sustainability practices to how Darden engages with policy makers and non-governmental organizations. Darden is committed to participating and leading collaborative efforts to address the pressing sustainability challenges facing our company and our world.
  • Partnership for a Healthier America: In FY12, Darden announced a formal alliance with the Partnership for a Healthier America. Darden made the most comprehensive health and wellness commitments of a restaurant company to date, pledging to reduce our overall calorie and sodium footprint by 10 percent by 2016 and by 20 percent by 2021, and to enhance the nutrition credentials of our children's menus.
  • Rebuilding Troubled Fisheries: Darden announced a three-year commitment to rebuilding troubled fisheries through targeted Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in FY12. The commitment is part of Darden's membership in the Clinton Global Initiative. The initial FIP was launched in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, in conjunction with Publix Super Markets and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.
  • Solar Energy: In FY12, Darden's Restaurant Support Center began drawing 15 to 20 percent of its annual power usage from solar panels mounted on the parking garage and portions of the roof. This initiative, in partnership with Progress Energy, demonstrates the power of collaboration to reduce environmental impacts and take advantage of an abundant renewable resource in Florida – the sun.
  • Research & Collaboration: Darden is a member of a wide range of associations and groups that address various aspects of supply chain sustainability such as Global Aquaculture Alliance, Food Safety Leadership Council, and Business for Social Responsibility, just to name a few. Darden has partnered with the New England Aquarium for over a decade to provide up-to-date environmental, conservation and scientific data regarding wild-capture fish and aquaculture species for its Seafood Sustainability Dashboard. Darden is also a founding member of The Sustainability Consortium.
  1. Community Investments:
  • Approach: Darden strives to make community investments that will have a positive and enduring impact through philanthropic and volunteer support. Through the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation, the company provides volunteerism and charitable giving to support postsecondary education, preservation of natural resources and good neighbor grants. Darden's total community investments, since 1995, total approximately $60 million.
  • Philanthropic: In FY11, Darden donated nearly 10 million pounds of food through the Darden Harvest program and in FY12, Darden surpassed 56 million pounds of food donated since the program began in 2004. Darden also supports Habitat for Humanity through furniture donations to its ReStore outlets, the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program and local food banks. In addition, Darden supports organizations whose missions are committed to the preservation of natural resources, such as the Everglades Foundation and Audubon of Florida.
  • Community Grants: The Darden Foundation was built on a rich heritage of being of service to others – a concept that began 70 years ago with founder, Bill Darden. This initiative is intended to help support nonprofit organizations in the hundreds of communities Darden and its restaurant brands serve. In its inaugural year, every Darden restaurant was empowered to help award a $1,000 grant to a local nonprofit organization, resulting in more than $1.7 million in grants to exceptional nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada.
  • Education: Darden’s education initiatives, including the company’s signature platform, Recipe for Success™, support organizations that positively impact the educational prospects of underserved youth, ages 14 to 18, by providing them with access to the information and tools to pursue their dreams of higher education. In 2011, Darden partnered with UNCF and College Summit through the Darden Recipe for Success™ Scholarship program to provide 60 students in Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles with renewable 4- and 5-year scholarships.

KEYWORDS: sustainability savings, restaurant community grant, solar panel, fishery improvement projects, Global Aquaculture Alliance, darden foundation

Associated Media:

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