SOURCE:Sanofi

DESCRIPTION:

The Boy Scouts of America’s Minsi Trails Council received $10,000 from the 2016 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser, which Sanofi Pasteur has spearheaded and sponsored for the last thirteen years.

​To see Eyewitness News WBRE/WYOU's news coverage of this story, visit tinyurl.com/boyscoutcouncil.

Tweet me:Scouting program receives $10,000 from Sanofi Pasteur sponsored Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser http://bit.ly/2gHdel5

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, pocono mountains community fundraiser, Sanofi, Sanofi Pasteur, Pennsylvania, Boy Scouts, Minsi Trails Council, Cub Scouts, Monroe County, csr, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:TD Bank Group

DESCRIPTION:

During the 2016 Business Social Responsibility (BSR) conference, Chief Environment Officer, Karen Clarke-Whistler, explains how TD Bank Group has made sustainability a core business strategy. Her interview provides insight into TD's environmental strategy and the sustainability challenges it faces.

Read the full interview at Corresponcables.

Tweet me:.@TD_Canada's @KClarkeWhistler discuss how a healthy environment affects our economy with @Corresponsables. http://bit.ly/2gxle4K

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, Business Social Responsibility, TD Bank Group, environmental strategy, sustainability challenges

SOURCE:Sea Change Radio

DESCRIPTION:

All over the world people who care about the environment are watching the US President-Elect sketch out a blueprint for disaster. To head the EPA he has tapped a man who demonstrates open disdain for the very agency he would be running, and for Department of Energy Chief his choice is a guy who announced on a national stage that that department should be dismantled. It’s no wonder climate scientists around the country are scrambling to back up their research data, fearing it might vanish in the years ahead. Signs point to an incoming Administration that will undo hard-fought progress on all environmental fronts. But this week on Sea Change Radio, we talk to two political organizers who have written a roadmap for how we fight back. We hear from Becky Bond and Zack Exley, two senior advisers from the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and authors of the new book, “Rules For Revolutionaries: How Big Organizing Can Change Everything.” We discuss Sanders’s dark horse candidacy, extract lessons learned, and talk about strategies that could be applied to the environmental struggle moving forward.

Tweet me:This wk's @SeaChangeRadio: post-11/9 eco-activism talk w/ @BernieSanders advisers @bbond + @zackexley http://www.cchange.net/2016/12/13/pt1/

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, Politics, sea change radio, activism, Bernie Sanders, Social Change

23 sites added in 2016 for total of 152 globally that send zero waste to landfills

SOURCE:General Motors

SUMMARY:

• Waste reduction improves efficiency and reduces costs
• Using recycled materials drive innovations in product development
• GM mentors 25 companies a year on the business case for zero waste

DESCRIPTION:

“We are committed to manufacturing cars and trucks for our customers in a safe and responsible way,” said Alicia Boler Davis, GM executive vice president, Global Manufacturing. “While we continue to increase the reuse of byproducts, our vision is to eliminate waste by applying the most advanced manufacturing processes and technologies in our plants globally.”

Whether it’s recycling Flint water bottles into engine cover insulation or turning Mississippi River tires into air-deflecting baffles, the company is working together with its suppliers to advance a more circular economy where materials are kept in use. GM champions matchmaking efforts, such as the Materials Marketplace, where one company’s trash can be another’s raw material.

Altogether, GM recycles or reuses 2 million metric tons of byproducts a year. If someone were to place that material into the beds of Chevrolet Silverado extended-cab pickup trucks and park them end to end, they would stretch around the world.

GM has generated up to $1 billion from recycling in recent years. The company reinvests that money into the business, including the development of fuel-efficient vehicles and new technologies shaping the future of personal mobility. Landfill-free facilities result in greater operational efficiency and eliminate waste-hauling fees. Repurposing waste into vehicle components or plant supplies means the company doesn’t have to buy virgin material.

“We view sustainability as a business approach,” said John Bradburn, GM global manager of Waste Reduction. “We look at ways we can grow and strengthen our business for the long term, and that often means reducing our environmental footprint while maximizing social benefit.”

About a third of GM’s total landfill-free sites are technical centers, warehouses and offices. While in the midst of a major renovation at three Michigan facilities, GM partnered with Herman Miller and Green Standards to repurpose surplus office assets into $1 million of in-kind donations to about 100 Michigan-based community organizations.

Landfill-free sites added this year are in Asia, Africa, North America and South America:

• Engine, parts distribution center and stamping operation in Talegaon, India
• Powertrain plant in Romulus, warehouse in Flint, aftersales operation in Madison Heights, storage facility in Grand Blanc, Michigan
• Distribution center in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Parts distribution center and assembly plant in Quito, Ecuador
• Assembly plant in Cairo, Egypt
• Two assembly plants and two distribution centers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• GM Canada headquarters in Oshawa, Canada
• Foundry in Toluca, Mexico
• An assembly plant, stamping plant, technical center, engineering facility and support office in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
• Assembly plant in Bogota, Colombia

With the Toluca, Mexico foundry now on the list — a site that melts and molds metal to make auto components — none of GM’s manufacturing operations in Mexico send waste to landfills. All GM European Opel/Vauxhall manufacturing plants have been landfill-free since 2015.   

GM mentors about 25 companies a year, from small businesses to large multinational corporations, on how to manage challenging waste streams. The company outlines best practices in a landfill-free blueprint.

For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog.

About General Motors
General Motors Co. (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, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. 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

Tweet me:Trash-talk: @GM has record year for #landfill-free operations http://bit.ly/2hlUhF7

Contact Info:

Becky Price
GM Sustainability Communications
+1 (313) 410-5970
becky.price@mslgroup.com

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, Conservation, General Motors, GM, landfill-free, Waste Reduction, efficiency, India, Michigan, North Carolina, Ecuado, egypt, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador

We asked some leading CSR experts what books they recommend..

SOURCE:Versaic

DESCRIPTION:

The holiday season is here. Your gifts may be picked out and ready to go, but what about something for your CSR colleagues? And what about your own wish list? The holiday break is a great time to catch up on your reading. We asked some leading CSR experts what books they have recently read and why they recommend them. There’s plenty here to get you and your colleagues fired up for the year ahead..

1. The Handbook of Board Governance: A Comprehensive Guide for Public, Private, and Not-for-Profit Board Members by Richard Leblanc

“Riveting read for anyone interested in corporate governance and CSR/sustainability, this book includes dozens of chapters, each written by content experts. Topics range from board composition and the value of diversity, board responsibilities and effectiveness, to compensation, succession planning, and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and climate change.”

-- Alice Korngold, CEO, Korngold Consulting

2. The New Geography of Jobs by Enrico Moretti 

“The New Geography of Jobs shed a lot of light on how each information sector job supports two to five skilled and unskilled jobs - from waiters to landscapers to childcare - in cities around the country. A must-read if one is interested in community economic development and how systems grow.” 

-- Andrew Yang, Founder and CEO, Venture for America 

3. The Business of Good: Social Entrepreneurship and the New Bottom Line by Jason Haber

“Jason Haber does a great job of diving into the stereotypes of philanthropy and for-profit businesses. Jason also has identified several unknown case studies (we all know about TOMS already) of businesses who are choosing a socially driven for-profit business.”

-- Seth McGuinness, President and Founder, Giving Great

4. Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard

“This is a guidebook to corporate social responsibility and is the proof point that overcomes executives’ fears to ask the right questions that unearth difficult answers, answers that are supposedly costly in the short term yet the greatest cost is our planet and humanity. The free market system and capitalism actually hold the greatest ability to change the world for the better and this explains how.”

-- Christen Graham, President, Giving Strong, Inc. 

5. Confident Giving: Sage Advice for Funders from One of Philanthropy's Top Advisors by Kris Putnam- Walkerly 

“Giving asserts that a culture of philanthropy is nurtured by leaders who aren't afraid to leverage the strengths of those who surround them. Kris reminds the philanthropic community that transformational grantmaking is achieved through collaboration with grantees, partners, a community network, and consultants who bring focused expertise to bear on defining problems and designing solutions.”

-- Brian Sooy, Principal and Design Director, Aespire

6. Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

“As the hustle and bustle between work-life balance continue to intersect, media mogul and former Editor-in-Chief, Arianna Huffington, believes there is more to life than just earning a big salary. With money and power, comes burnout and stress-related illnesses as well as the compromise of family and friends over our careers. In other words, what really matters in life? With her own personal wake-up call of sleep deprivation, Arianna talks openly about juggling the heavy demands of her business and the importance of unplugging from it all. Therefore, how we can redefine success in the world of accessibility and instant gratification.”

-- Charles Archer, CEO and Founder, The THRIVE Network

7. Dig Where You Are: How One Person’s Effort Can Save a Life, Empower a Community and Create Meaningful Change in the World by Nan Doyal

“The heroes of social innovation in Nan Doyal’s book have much in common with successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Each has a high tolerance for self-disruption, discipline in execution, attention to detail, and a relentless focus on the end-user. But even more important than these traits, is their clear sense of purpose and their ability to involve others in defining it. Dig Where You Are casts an important framework for modern leadership and driving sustainable change -- in any kind of organization. It's an inspirational reminder of the power of purpose, conviction and customer focus.”

-- Rich Williams, CEO, Groupon  

8.The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationships with Money and Life by Lynne Twist

"Money is an essential part of our lives and society, and something most have hardly stopped to really think about what it is, what it means to us and another culture vastly different from yourself. This book helps you rethink how you relate to money and realize the energy it carries and how your relationship with money impacts how you are able to give."

 --Caroline Pinal, Founder, Giveback Homes

9. Philanthropy and the Social Economy: Blueprint 2017 by Lucy Bernholz

"A self-identified “philanthropy wonk,” Lucy reflects on politics and technology, and their influence on civil society and the evolution of philanthropy. She adeptly addresses recent political events in the US and shares concrete tips on how organizations can apply the Blueprint ideas at their organizations."

 -- Jennifer C. Weston-Murphy, Corporate Leadership, CECP

10. Charity Case: How the Nonprofit Community Can Stand Up For Itself and Really Change the World by Dan Pallotta by Dan Pallotta

"Dan Pallotta provides a radical rethinking of how we perceive and judge the work of charities. He exposes the undermining structures that confine charities working toward a world that works for everyone. "How do you monetize compassion and love?"

Philanthropy addresses markets that cannot always be measured. In this candid critique of the inequitable standards telling charities to "act more like a business - by businesspeople who refuse to allow them to use any of the real tools of business" is where Pallotta shines. A refreshing voice for those inside and outside of philanthropy and CSR alike."

--Elana Yonah, Chief Advancement Officer, Conscious Capitalism

Versaic’s program management system is behind many of the best-known corporate philanthropy programs from some of the biggest brands around. Schedule your free demo here.

Tweet me:The 10 Best #CSR Books to Give as Gifts or Read Over the Holidays... What is on your list? @Versaic http://bit.ly/2hNMCwn

KEYWORDS: Education, Awards & Recognition, Versaic, books

SOURCE:Nestlé in the U.S.

DESCRIPTION:

Fish and seafood are precious resources to our planet and all who live on it, particularly for the people in some of the poorest countries in the world who rely on healthy fisheries for their primary source of protein. At Nestlé, we understand the importance of having sustainable fisheries and healthy fish farms, as well as the immense challenges we must overcome to responsibly source fish and seafood. As the largest buyer of fish and seafood among our U.S. operations, Nestlé Purina works diligently with those in the industry to identify, to the extent it is possible, the sources of our fish and seafood ingredients.

We provide all of our global seafood purchasing information to our independent NGO partner—the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP)—to identify and assess the wild fisheries from which our seafood supply comes, including both whole fish and fish by-product.

We are pleased with our progress to date across the globe.

• In 2015, Nestlé Purina focused on ensuring that all of our whole fish can be traced back to the catch vessel.

• Across Nestlé Purina globally, we know 153 wild fisheries from which we source seafood globally. SFP continues to identify more source fisheries and assess their health.

• We require all of our suppliers to avoid fish and seafood ingredients that contain International Union for Conservation of Nature red-listed endangered species and to avoid any illegal, unregulated and unreported seafood.

Read more stories from the 2015 Creating Shared Value Report

Tweet me:.@NestleUSA committed to responsible #fishing http://bit.ly/2giEz9p #CSV report @Purina

KEYWORDS: Ethical Production & Consumption, Business Ethics, Nestle, Rural Development and Responsible Sourcing, fishing

SOURCE:Pfizer

DESCRIPTION:

At Pfizer, our purpose is to make innovative medicines and vaccines that significantly improve people’s lives. In doing so, we are helping society achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 17 ambitious targets for positive and essential change around the world.

Pfizer’s support of the Global Goals is rooted in our belief that every individual deserves to live a longer, healthier, more productive life. At the 2016 Devex World Conference in Washington, D.C., Pfizer hosted an interactive booth showcasing our work to directly support progress toward several SDGs, including Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

“We feel like as a global pharmaceutical company that when we discover, develop and bring to market medicines, we are really addressing the basic healthcare needs of the entire population,” says Caroline Roan, Pfizer’s Vice President of Corporate Responsibility. “Our challenge, of course, will be to figure out how to bring more of those medicines to more people who need them.”

Visit our “Individual Voices” site to learn more about Pfizer’s support of the SDGs: http://on.pfizer.com/2gYX1W8 

Tweet me:Find out how @Pfizer is using #innovation to help make strides toward achieving @UN #GlobalGoal 3: http://bit.ly/2hFak1J

KEYWORDS: Health, Philanthropy, Healthcare, Corporate Social Responsibility, united nations, Global Goals, sustainable development goals, Devex World 2016

By Eileen Howard Boone

SOURCE:CSRwire

DESCRIPTION:

While researching potential partners has never been easier through the use of technology, there is still a fair amount of due diligence required to find the right partner match.

Every year, not-for-profit organizations go through the painstaking process of establishing corporate relationships with the hopes of obtaining critical funding to advance their missions, while companies equally struggle to identify non-profits that help advance their positive social impact. For both, choosing the right partner that is a good fit can be a challenging proposition.

What if a social network existed where businesses and non-profits could easily find the right match? What profile information would be most critical for choosing a partner? In thinking about new business relationships, here are a few critical factors to consider when you ‘swipe right’ for nonprofit partnerships.

Continue reading on CSRwire

Eileen Howard Boone is Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for CVS Health, and President of the CVS Health Foundation. Howard Boone also serves as an officer of the CVS Health Employee Relief Fund and CVS Health Charity Classic.  

Tweet me:What if a social network existed where businesses and non-profits could easily find the right match? http://bit.ly/2hFUKTo via @CSRwire

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Corporate Social Responsibility, Partnerships, CVS Health, CSRwire

By: Joelle Phillips, President, AT&T Tennessee

SOURCE:AT&T

DESCRIPTION:

At the end of the summer of 2016, we reached a remarkable milestone – 10 million pledges to not drive distracted. The It Can Wait campaign and the 10 million pledge count represent the dedication of so many to keep our roads safe. Today, seven-in-ten people admit to smartphone activity behind the wheel.

Facts like those are why we continue to set our sights higher. After hitting the 10 million pledge mark, we set the ambitious goal of reaching 16 million pledges to not drive distracted by the end of 2016.

We kicked off the It Can Wait 16 in ‘16 Pledge Contest in October, asking schools, non-profits and other organizations to create a team, then generate as many pledges as possible for that team, via text. The response was inspiring -- nearly one thousand teams from across the country stepped up to voice their support for this critically important cause.

I'm thrilled to be able to share that the winning organization, having raised nearly 800 pledges, is from my home state of Tennessee -- the Tennessee Future Farmers of America. Tennessee FFA is guided by the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of students, by developing their potential for premiere leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. There are over 14,000 Tennessee FFA members ranging from 11-21 years of age, and distracted driving can have a serious effect on these young men and women. By taking the pledge to not drive distracted, these members become leaders for positive change in their friend group and community. The Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. wants its members to be safe, engaged and cognizant of the impact their actions have on those around them.

Because Tennessee FFA is so ingrained in the student community of the state, one of their strongest messages is one of safe driving. “Asking our Tennessee Future Farmers of America members to take the pledge to not engage in distracted driving teaches responsibility for their actions and, more than that, teaches them that choosing wisely can have a positive influence on those around them,” said Ben L. Byler, Ed.D., Chairman, Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. “Encouraging our members to practice the motto ‘It Can Wait’ can impact their friends and members of their communities to follow their lead.”

As the contest winners, the Tennessee FFA will receive the It Can Wait Simulator during their March 2017 State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The It Can Wait Simulator is a virtual reality experience that gives participants a first-hand look at the dangers of distracted driving.

Support from organizations like Tennessee FFA continues to help empower those in their communities to take the pledge to end distracted driving. Together, we can make distracted driving history.

Tweet me:.@ConnectToGood "Tennessee Teens Take Action to Prevent Distracted Driving" http://soc.att.com/2huo4M4 #ATTimpact #itcanwait @NationalFFA

KEYWORDS: Technology, Ethical Production & Consumption, AT&T, It can wait, tn, tennessee, FFA, Future Farmers of America, distracted driving, pledge, 16 in '16, Ben L. Byler, Joelle Phillips

By Kate Ryan, Good Magazine

SOURCE:Boeing

DESCRIPTION:

Read the original article on Good Magazine.

The company is researching a cheap, salt-tolerant seaweed that could soon fuel our bodies, our cars, our jets—even a mission to Mars

To continue reading on Good Magazine, click here.

KEYWORDS: Technology, Clean Tech, Boeing, csr, CSG, Biofuel, Halophytes, Masdar, Ethihad Airways, united arab emirates

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

It’s stories like Rochelle and Gunner’s that make us so proud to support the ASPCA through our Share the Love Event. Since 2008, Subaru and its retailers have helped the ASPCA find loving homes for nearly 30,000 animals in need. Put a little love in your heart this season. Learn more at subaru.com/share.

Tweet me:.@SubaruUSA #ShareTheLove Event has Helped the @ASPCA Save 30,000 Animals and Counting http://bit.ly/2g7nVcU

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Business Ethics, subaru, ASPCA, animal welfare

Health experts from around the world met on November 29 to discuss ways to tackle an emerging crisis.

SOURCE:Novartis

DESCRIPTION:

December 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer are a growing threat in the world’s poorest countries and public health experts from around the world met on November 29 to explore ways of tackling this silent epidemic. Chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer are a growing threat in the world’s poorest countries and public health experts from around the world met on November 29 to explore ways of tackling this silent epidemic.

Participants at the event “Improving care for chronic patients in lower-income countries: the patient journey”, organized by Novartis Access and the Novartis Foundation, discussed an array of solutions that will likely be needed to mount an effective response.

Some of the most important steps could include improving access to affordable medicines, supporting better education about chronic diseases, using technology in new ways to aid awareness and treatment, and building effective partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Speakers and panelists included representatives from the World Health Organization, PATH, Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Boston University and Emory University, as well as government delegates.  Joerg Reinhardt, Novartis Chairman, also delivered a keynote address.

Read the full story on Novartis.com

Watch a recap of the event

Watch the webcast in full and on demand

Explore the conversation from the event on twitter #talkingNCDs , #novartisaccess

About the Novartis Foundation
The Novartis Foundation is a philanthropic organization pioneering innovative healthcare models that can have a transformational impact on the health of the poorest populations. We work hand-in-hand with our local and global partners to catalyze scalable and sustainable healthcare models to improve access and health outcomes, and to accelerate efforts to eliminate leprosy and malaria by focusing on interventions that aim to interrupt transmission. Everything we do is grounded in evidence and innovation, and our work is a continuous cycle of evaluation, adaptation and application. In 2015, the operational budget for the foundation was CHF 12 million and our programs reached 4.5 million people.

For more information, please visit:

www.novartisfoundation.org  

www.youtube.com/novartisfoundation

Novartis Foundation is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @NovartisFDN at https://twitter.com/NovartisFDN

About Novartis Access 
Novartis Access is a Group-wide program to help fight chronic diseases in lower-income countries. The Novartis Access portfolio focuses on affordability and availability of 15 on- and off-patent Novartis medicines addressing key diseases areas – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer. The portfolio is offered as a basket to governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other public-sector customers at a price of USD 1 per treatment per month. Beyond the portfolio of medicines, Novartis Access offers capacity-building activities to support healthcare systems in preventing, diagnosing and treating NCDs. We are striving to roll out the program in 30 countries in the coming years – depending on governmental and stakeholder demand – aiming to reach 20 million patients per year by 2020.

Novartis Access is integrated in Novartis Social Business, a unit which includes the Novartis Malaria Initiative and the Novartis Healthy Family programs. This unit is operationally managed by Sandoz, the Novartis generics and biosimilars division.

www.novartisaccess.com
#NovartisAccess

About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in approximately 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

Novartis Media Relations
Central media line: +41 61 324 2200
E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Tweet me:.@Novartis FDN dialogue explores response to chronic illness in poor countries #talkingNCDs #novartisaccess http://bit.ly/2gAtUHq

KEYWORDS: Events, Conferences & Webinars, Philanthropy, Access to Medicines, Corporate Responsibility, Health, healthcare innovation, Healthcare Institutional News, Novartis, Novartis Access, Novartis Foundation, Partnership, philanthropy

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

CHALLENGE

An international oil & gas refiner and retailer engaged Antea Group to design a program to maximize cost recovery across its vast U.S. portfolio. Antea Group was to assess the client's eligibility for and recovery of any and every incident managed by the client. We were also requested to develop systems that would enable full recovery of eligible costs with 0% missed dollars. 

SOLUTION AND RESULTS

Antea Group established teams of experts in every state with reimbursement funds where the client’s incidents occurred. The reimbursement program resulted in the recovery of over $350 Million of recovered funds, over $22 Million in historical costs previously missed, a 100% spend-to-submit ratio on eligible sites, and much more, of which you can read at the Antea Group website.

ABOUT ANTEA GROUP

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com. 

Tweet me:.@AnteaGroup Maximized Cost Recovery and Recapture of Lost Funds http://bit.ly/2gAimUN

Contact Info:

Katie Nordenson
katie.nordenson@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Energy, Oil & Gas, antea group, Cost Recover, cost reduction, lost funds, fund recovery, fund recapture

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

The Seattle office provides services that support multiple segments and practice areas. Our typical projects include transaction support and due diligence, site assessment and remediation, permitting and compliance, OPA training, litigation support, and health and safety services. Our client companies include oil and gas, global high tech, railroads, insurance, law firms, manufacturing facilities, real estate, and retail locations. 

Read the rest on the Antea Group website.

About Antea Group

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com. 

Tweet me:Introducing the @AnteaGroup Seattle Office! http://bit.ly/2dhHLkr

Contact Info:

Margaret Uttke
+1 (651) 697-5234
margaret.uttke@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Human Resources, antea group, washington, Seattle, EHS consulting, sustainability consulting

Employee holiday drive echoes company’s holistic approach in supporting Monroe County Head Start and Pocono Alliance families

SOURCE:Sanofi

DESCRIPTION:

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP, Pa., December 15, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced today that its employees continued their 22-year tradition of collecting and hand-delivering gifts, non-perishable food items, and supermarket gift cards to the families of Monroe County Head Start at Pocono Services for Families and Children (PSFC). The items were donated through the company’s “Adopt-A-Family” drive, which will brighten the holidays of 37 families this year.

For Sanofi Pasteur, caring for Monroe County’s low-income families is not limited to one annual drive, or even one non-profit partnership. Rather, Sanofi Pasteur’s corporate and employee volunteer support wraps around these individuals from several different sources.

For instance, eight of the Head Start families served by this holiday drive include recent participants in Pocono Alliance’s Bridges Out of Poverty program, also supported by Sanofi Pasteur. Head Start families apply to participate in this program, which provides practical solutions, mentoring, and support to individuals to break the cycle of poverty in their own lives. This program received early and critical funding from Sanofi Pasteur at its inception, and Sanofi Pasteur employee volunteers continue to provide assistance to the program.

 “Sanofi Pasteur knows where are the most critical needs of our community,” said Jackie Lapping, family & health services manager, PSFC. “Through organizations like ours and Pocono Alliance, they then help meet those needs -- not just with funding, but also through the company’s active engagement efforts.”

Michael Tukeva, executive director, Pocono Alliance adds, “Sanofi Pasteur’s multifaceted and holistic approach in its local philanthropy and volunteerism ultimately benefits Monroe County families in need, surrounding them with the best support possible from several different resources.”

Sanofi Pasteur employees also delivered 279 pairs of winter boots, clothes and food to Monroe County Head Start families earlier this year, as part of the company’s Thanksgiving holiday drive. The company also provided significant funding toward PSFC’s new center in Coolbaugh Township, where the Adopt-a-Family drive items were delivered. In addition, the company worked with PSFC to create a scholarship for graduates of the Monroe County Head Start program who are entering or are currently enrolled in college.

About Head Start

Head Start is a child development program that has served low-income children and their families since 1965. The Head Start program is administered by the Head Start Bureau; the Administration on Children, Youth and Families; Administration for Children and Families; and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Those interested in providing a donation to help local families and children in need can contact Jackie Lapping at 570-421-2711 x230.

About Pocono Alliance

Pocono Alliance provides resources to the community by building relationships and creating solutions and has played a critical role since 2002 in comprehensive health and human service planning and management activities, program development and service delivery for low- to moderate-income families.

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). 

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers a broad range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us

Contact:  Sanofi                                                                                   

Ellyn Schindler 

Director, North America Corporate Social Responsibility

and Engagement; CSR Communications

Tel: 1-570-957-2689                                                           

Ellyn.Schindler@sanofi.com

http://community.sanofipasteur.us

Tweet me:Sanofi Pasteur Continues Strengthening Safety Net Around Local Families in Need http://bit.ly/2hGJmGX

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Head start, Sanofi, Sanofi Pasteur, employees, Donation, Community Engagement, Pa., Pennsylvania, Monroe County, csr, Corporate Social Responsibility

By Dan Schulman

SOURCE:PayPal

DESCRIPTION:

In October, I was honored to accept the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Award. Today, I am proud to share news that PayPal has earned a perfect 100% score on HRC’s 2017 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the second year in a row!

The CEI rated businesses that elevate LGBT-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. We are proud of the work that we do to create a diverse and inclusive environment at PayPal and we are privileged to be named one of the Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality by HRC.

At PayPal, inclusion and equality are more than just words on our walls. These are core values that lie at the center of who we are as a company and that guide all of our actions. Our mission is to democratize financial services to give billions of people who are underserved by the current financial system access to affordable and safe ways to move and manage money, and to ensure that everyone can participate in the global economy and achieve financial health. This is a mission that is fundamentally inclusive and ties back to our core values that we strive to promote in all aspects of our business.

On behalf of our employees, we are pleased to be honored for this work by HRC. We will continue to strive to make a difference in people’s lives, as we remain focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

Tweet me:.@PayPal achieves perfect score on @HRC Corporate #Equality Index - Best Place to Work #LGBTQ http://bit.ly/2hKHSeJ

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Diversity & Human Resources, PayPal, LGBTQ, Workplace Equality, Human Rights Campaign, Corporate Social Responsibility

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

The 6th leading cause of death in the US, and the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disorder that irreversibly destroys brain function over time. To date there is no known cause or cure. Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR), a program of BrightFocus Foundation, is working to change that scenario, by funding bold, innovative scientific research around the world.

Rising Tide of Alzheimer's Cases

Citizens are increasingly likely to be directly affected by Alzheimer’s – either as a patient or as a caregiver to a family member with the disease. This is partly due to demographics, as the large Baby Boom generation is now reaching the risk period for this age-related disease: they now turn age 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day. Individuals are also living longer, which can increase the number of Alzheimer’s cases. The current number of people with Alzheimer’s, more than 5 million in the US, is expected to expand to 16 million by 2050.

The disease is hard on families, who provide the majority of caregiving. Most caregivers, about 66 percent, live with the care recipient in the community.  More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This caregiving can be difficult – family and other unpaid caregivers may experience high levels of emotional stress, depression, and financial pressure.

Indirectly, all citizens are impacted by the rising tide of Alzheimer’s cases, which threatens to overwhelm our health care system as our population ages. For the first time in history, the world will soon have more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 5. It is imperative to change the trajectory of this disease that affects us all.

A Growing Toll on Taxpayers and the Economy

Total payments for health care, long-term care, and hospice for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are projected to balloon from $236 billion in 2016 to more than $1 trillion in 2050 (in 2016 dollars). This dramatic rise includes a five-fold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly five-fold increase in out-of-pocket spending.

Forbes has described Alzheimer’s disease as “the most expensive condition in the nation” and harder to solve than cancer. Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. For now, it is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.

Scientists estimate that a minimum of $2 billion per year in research funding is needed if the US is to reach the national goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease by the year 2025. Right now, the US government is spending far less. 

In this environment, the work of organizations like Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR), a program of BrightFocus Foundation, is more important than ever: convening world-class scientific review committees to identify the most promising science on Alzheimer’s; and allowing researchers to take risks not funded elsewhere. 

“Alzheimer’s affects us all, whether we have the disease, care for a loved one with it, or suffer the consequences of an over-burdened health care system. Supporting bold, innovative research is the only key to solving this dreaded disease,” says BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller.

Cure in Mind. Cure in Sight.

Committed to promoting scientific research and raising public awareness to help end Alzheimer’s disease, ADR currently manages 85 Alzheimer’s projects worldwide, and since inception has invested more than $100 million in Alzheimer’s research, expanding our understanding of the disease and moving us closer to a cure. At the same time, ADR reaches larger audiences to promote awareness of the enormous impact of this disease, reaching out to both the families affected by Alzheimer’s who use their multiple resources, as well as to the policy and thought leaders who must address the massive social and health care costs of this disease. 

Thanks to donors, ADR can support promising scientific research into new ways to prevent, detect, treat, and one day cure Alzheimer’s disease. 

As a donor, you can support ADR’s work by donating to Alzheimer’s Disease Research through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC# 30518 if you're a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support the vital work of Alzheimer’s Disease Research.

If your company would like to start a workplace giving program to support ADR, click here. ADR works through America’s Charities, a workplace giving federation, to promote its mission to employers' workplace giving programs nationwide, and America’s Charities has a portfolio of solutions designed to help large and small organizations give back to the causes they care about.

No matter what the size, contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease Research help support innovative research projects. 

Here are just a few examples of what individual donors and employers can achieve:

• $20/week: $1,000 ($19.23 per week through payroll giving) supports the sequencing of a person’s entire DNA for research purposes.
• $20-$40/week: $1,000 to $2,000 ($19.23 - $38.46 per week through payroll giving) helps send a promising young researcher to an international science conference to share research results—a critical venue for analysis of discoveries.
• $100 - $200/week: $5,000 to $10,000 ($96.15 - $192.31 per week through payroll giving) helps pay for the costs of supplies for a protein assay experiment, where researchers can identify levels and activities of proteins linked with the disease. Or it can fund The BrightFocus Foundation Resource Center, which supports the overall work of BrightFocus Foundation by developing free publications and resources, and serving as a liaison between people living with Alzheimer’s disease, medical professionals, health organizations, and government agencies.
• $200-$400/week: $10,000 to $20,000 ($192.31 - $384.62 per week through payroll giving) helps pay for the costs of supplies for a mass spectrometry protein identification experiment, which identifies proteins that can be used by researchers in their work.
• $1,000/week: $50,000 ($961.54 per week through payroll giving) helps support one year of a postdoctoral fellow’s research. A single employer and its employees can easily raise this amount through the collective power of workplace giving and matching gifts.

For free, if you want to help Alzheimer’s researchers, play the online Stall Catchers game, http://stallcatchers.com/main, a project of the ADR-funded EyesOnALZ. Anyone can play it and help researchers at the same time, by spotting stalled capillaries in images of the brain. This “crowd-sourcing” project saves researchers an enormous amount of time, speeding up the process of discovery.  In the first 30 days that this project was live, nearly 1,000 citizens did the equivalent of 14 weeks of analysis in the lab.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease Research’s work, visit www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers.

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: Changing the Trajectory of #Alzheimers Disease http://bit.ly/2hpxBDJ @_BrightFocus #WorkplaceGiving #ShapetheFuture

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Business & Trade, employee giving, Alzheimer's Disease Research, elderly, America's Charities, Employee Engagement, Fundraising, cause marketing, corporate philanthropy, workplace giving, social responsibility, csr

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign runs December 15 – January 1

SOURCE:Brown-Forman Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 15, 2016 /3BL Media/– To help everyone have a safe holiday season, Brown-Forman is once again teaming up with local transportation companies to encourage people to plan ahead and keep drunk drivers off of the roads. This is the fifth consecutive year that Brown-Forman has helped offer safe rides home through this program.

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), Volunteers of America (VOA), Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), and Brown-Forman joined other highway safety-related agencies and partners to kick off the holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign on Thursday, December 15, at Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville.

Brown-Forman is sponsoring a $20 discount for legal drinking age consumers with ride booking companies Uber (for first-time users only) and City Scoot from December 15, 2016, through January 1, 2017, with the promotional code SAFERIDEKY.*

In Kentucky in 2015, there were more than 5,700 crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs, resulting in more than 3,000 injuries and 154 fatalities.  More than 500 of these crashes occurred during the month of December, resulting in 264 injuries and 14 fatalities.  

"Brown-Forman is proud to partner with the 'Drive Sober' campaign to encourage planning ahead, using a designated driver, and not driving drunk," said Rob Frederick, vice president, director corporate responsibility at Brown-Forman. “As a company committed to responsibility, we're excited to work with our safe ride partners and help our neighbors in Louisville make their holiday season a safe one."

*To qualify for the discount, consumers can go to any of the carriers’ apps and enter SAFERIDEKY. Offer valid for Kentuckiana residents who are 21 years of age or older.  Void where prohibited.  Offer is subject to carrier’s availability and terms and conditions.  Go to www.saferideky.com for details. 

For more than 145 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach and GlenDronach.  Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,600 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

Tweet me:Brown-Forman Partners with #Transportation Companies for #SafeRides during #holidays http://bit.ly/2gGe6mo

KEYWORDS: Media & Communications, Brown-Forman, transportation, Safe Rides, holiday, drunk drivers, safe driving

By Dave Armon, 3BL Media CMO

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Unlike many cities where Sunday newspaper readership has tanked, plenty of Minneapolis residents still treasure delivery of a chunky Star Tribune as part of their weekend routine.

“It’s our meal ticket,” Business Editor Thom Kupper said of the 580,000-circulation Sunday edition during a 3BL Media event for sustainability communicators.

Those pitching Minnesota’s largest daily need to understand that the “digital first” mantra adhered to by print outlets in some markets does not apply for his team. 

Kupper, whose business reporting team numbers 17, is continually seeking ideas for 1,000-word Sunday enterprise stories dealing with meaty topics. Some, like a piece on 3M’s focus on sustainability as a human resources strategy to recruit Millennials, have come from savvy PR pros.

“The best stories always have some conflict or tension in them,” said Kupper, adding that Sunday’s longer business feature stories usually generate more online clicks, tweets, Facebook comments and social sharing than the breaking news and other content generated by his team.

With no Star Tribune reporter assigned to cover corporate social responsibility or sustainability as a distinct beat, Kupper said pitches should go to the staffer specializing in industry sectors: Kristen Painter for food, Tom Meersman for agriculture, Mike Hughlett for energy, and Dee Depass for manufacturing, for example.

Business columnist Lee Schafer should be considered for pitches on corporate citizenship topics, said Kupper, though he cautioned that Schafer’s take on a topic doesn’t always jibe with a brand or agency’s preconceived story flow.

“Some people are afraid of that because you don’t know what his opinion will be,” said Kupper.

Joining Kupper at the 3BL Media event was a familiar voice on Minnesota Public Radio newscasts, climate change reporter Elizabeth Dunbar, who left little doubt about what she likes and what’s off limits for pitches.

“I couldn’t care less about your earnings and profits,” she cautioned, backing off just a tad by saying she’d reconsider if companies begin disclosing sustainability gaps and gains alongside their financials in their quarterly reports.

“Don’t even think about pitching me an Earth Day story,” she cautioned. “For environmental reporters, Earth Day is every day.”

The Minneapolis-based Dunbar is a former Associated Press reporter whose MPR environmental beat is also staffed by Dan Kraker in Duluth and Dan Gunderson in Moorhead.  Their reporting on water is partly underwritten by a McKnight Foundation grant. 

Earth Day is not alone in the list of pet peeves for Dunbar, who says “invented days” or months dedicated to a particular cause are “like the worst news peg ever.”

Similarly, companies receiving awards for their achievements in CSR or sustainability may want to seek on-air congratulations elsewhere.  Dunbar says it is hard for a journalist to truly vet the significance or underlying process behind an award.

Despite strong opinions of what not to pitch, Dunbar urged communicators to engage around policy issues.

“It’s not always about your story. It’s about sharing your expertise,” she said, playing an audio clip from an MPR story she produced about Ecolab embracing the circular economy.                                                      

Many brands have found success producing their own sustainability stories and sharing the digital content via their online and social platforms, and the 3BL Media network.

“We use 3BL a lot,” said Catherine Gunsbury, director of sustainability and transparency for General Mills, describing the blogs she and her team distribute through 3BL Media to reach a global audience.

“Stakeholders want to know more about who we are and what we stand for,” Gunsbury said as she outlined the General Mills philosophy around sharing content supporting the $18 billion Minneapolis-based company’s purpose: “We serve the world by making food people love.” 

Brands seeking to communicate progress on complex environmental and social topics often experience more engagement when the stories are produced jointly with the nonprofits and NGOs doing the work, said Gunsbury.  

“The one thing I can’t say enough about is the importance of partners and collaboration in this space,” she said, pointing to Partners for Pollinator Habitat, a $4 million project General Mills is undertaking with the Xerces Society and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Tweet me:Everyday is #EarthDay for Minneapolis Media Focused on #Sustainability http://bit.ly/2gGbrtf Latest blog by @daveyarmon

KEYWORDS: Media & Communications, Business & Trade, sustainability, Star Tribune, General Mills, Minnesota Public Radio

SOURCE:General Motors

DESCRIPTION:

DETROIT,  December 15, 2016 /3BL Media/ - On the heels of the signing of the SAVE Act legislation to support autonomous vehicle testing and deployment in Michigan, General Motors will immediately begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. GM also announced it will produce the next generation of its autonomous test vehicles at its Orion Township assembly plant beginning in early 2017. 

“Revolutionizing transportation for our customers while improving safety on roads is the goal of our autonomous vehicle technology, and today’s announcement gets us one step closer to making this vision a reality,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Our autonomous technology will be reliable and safe, as customers have come to expect from any of our vehicles.”

December 15, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Testing is already underway on GM’s Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, and with the passage of the SAVE Act legislation will now expand to public roads on the facility’s outskirts. Within the next few months, testing will expand to metro Detroit, which will become GM’s main location for development of autonomous technology in winter climates. 

Workers at the Orion Township assembly plant will build test fleet Bolt EVs equipped with fully autonomous technology. The plant currently manufactures the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Sonic. The new equipment will include LIDAR, cameras, sensors and other hardware designed to ensure system safety, leveraging GM’s proven manufacturing quality standards. 

The test fleet vehicles will be used by GM engineers for continued testing and validation of GM’s autonomous technology already underway on public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as part of the Michigan testing fleet.

Since the beginning of 2016, GM has taken significant steps in its development of autonomous vehicle technology.

In January, the company announced the formation of a dedicated autonomous vehicle engineering team and a $500 million investment in Lyft to develop an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the U.S. In March, the company announced the acquisition of Cruise Automation to provide deep software talent and rapid development expertise to help speed development. 

In June, GM began testing autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EVs on the public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale. The company has more than 40 autonomous vehicles testing in the two cities.

General Motors Co. (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, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. 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.

Tweet me:.@GM to Start Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturing and Testing in Michigan http://bit.ly/2h5A5o2

KEYWORDS: Technology, GM, General Motors, SAVE Act, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Chevrolet Sonic, Lyft, Cruise Automation, Mary Barra, autonomous, AV