SOURCE:Aramark

DESCRIPTION:

Spring has arrived and it's the perfect time to book your summer vacation at Yosemite National Park.

Located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is famed for its waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant seqouias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. With activities like hiking, fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, and boating, it is impossible to be bored at this incredible destination and resort!

Aramark, the award-winning food and beverage, retail and facilities services provider, manages Yosemite’s hospitality programs including the lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreational and transportation services. Yosemite National Park and Aramark work together to enhance the guest experience by offering industry-leading hospitality, environmental stewardship, recreational and interpretive programs. Interested in seeing the environmental impact Aramark has made since taking over Yosemite's guest services? Click here. 

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, rated number one among Diversified Outsourcing Companies, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tweet me:Yosemite National Park is your next vacation spot! @Aramark is committed to enhancing guest experience http://bit.ly/2kRHad0

KEYWORDS: Environment, Renewable Energy, Yosemite, Aramark, NPS, National Park Service, Sierra Nevade, California, environment, Eco-Friendly, Nature, environmental sustainability, waste minimization, Energy, Water Conservation

More than 700,000 K-12 Students and Teachers Participated in Nation’s Leading Recycling Competition

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

STAMFORD, Conn., March 23, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Bon Air Elementary School of Kokomo, Indiana, was crowned today as the national champion of Keep America Beautiful’s Recycle-Bowl, the national recycling competition for elementary-, middle- and high-school students, teachers and school communities.

Competing against nearly 1,300 schools spanning 47 states and the District of Columbia, Bon Air Elementary students recycled 48.7 pounds of materials per student and teacher during the competition. The kindergarten through fifth grade school is being awarded a recycled content plastic park bench, courtesy of Trex, and $1,000 worth of recycling bins from Busch Systems. The Recycle-Bowl competition took place over four weeks in the fall, culminating on America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, 2016.

“We are so proud of Bon Air Elementary for exemplifying the mission of Recycle-Bowl,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president/recycling, Keep America Beautiful. “It’s encouraging to see students of all age groups and from all parts of the country get so excited about recycling both at school and at home. Congratulations to Bon Air Elementary and all of our Recycle-Bowl statewide winners.”

More than 700,000 students and teachers participated in Recycle-Bowl, striving to recycle as much as possible. Recyclables recovered during the 2016 competition totaled 2.2 million pounds, which prevented the release of 3,150 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E). This reduction in greenhouse gases is equivalent to the annual emissions from 655 passenger cars.

“Kokomo School Corporation officials from the Bon Air Technology Academies are delighted to be selected for awards at both the state and national levels in the Keep America Beautiful recycling competition,” said Lyndsi Smith, assistant principal, Technology Academy at Bon Air Elementary. “Bon Air schools and our community are committed to help protect our environment and participating in the Keep America Beautiful program is another way our students, staff, and families can make a difference. Thank you, Keep America Beautiful, for allowing the Bon Air schools community to help the world!”

Other 2016 national category winners are:

• Community Division: Keres Children's Learning Center (KCLC), Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico
• District Division: New Haven Unified School District, Union City, CA
• Waste Reduction: George W. Whitlow Elementary School, Cumming, Georgia
• Food Scrap Collection: Pahoa High and Intermediate, Pahoa, Hawaii
• Most Improved: The Children’s School, Rock Hill, South Carolina

The Children’s School will receive $1,500 worth of recycling bins from Busch Systems for demonstrating the most improvement in its recycling per capita rate from 2015 to 2016. The George W. Whitlow Elementary School, which won the Waste Reduction category for being the school that creates the least waste (recycling and trash) per person, will receive $500 worth of recycling bins from Busch Systems.

The list of the 2016 Recycle-Bowl division and statewide winners are on the Recycle-Bowl website, as well as descriptions of the national competition categories. All national and state Recycle-Bowl winners received a recycled-content plaque recognizing their achievements.

About Keep America Beautiful
At Keep America Beautiful, we want to ensure that beauty is our lasting signature. A leading national nonprofit, Keep America Beautiful inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. We envision a country in which every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs and resources to help people End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 620 community-based Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. To donate or take action, visit kab.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, or view us on YouTube.

###

Tweet me:.@kabtweet crowns Bon Air Elementary in #Kokomo 2016 #Recycle-Bowl national #school #recycling #champion! http://bit.ly/2noizRH

Contact Info:

Emily White
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3004
ewhite@kab.org
http://www.recycle-bowl.org
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Education, Keep America Beautiful, Recycle-Bowl, Bon Air Elementary School, Kokomo, Indiana, Recycling competition

By: Deborah Roberts

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

There have always been female warriors, and Women’s History Month is an appropriate time to remember them. While many civilians are aware that the number of women on active duty in all branches of service has risen dramatically, few know the extent of women’s service to our country, particularly in combat roles.

A small number of women have been in combat throughout American history—though  they had to disguise themselves as men and enlist under aliases. Deborah Samson Gannett from Plymouth, Mass., was one of the first. In 1782, she enlisted under the name of her deceased brother, Robert Shurtleff Samson, and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. She was wounded twice and cut a musket ball out of her own thigh, so a doctor wouldn’t examine her and find out she was a woman.

There are many more stories like this one. During the Civil War, Sarah Rosetta Wakeman disguised herself to enlist as Private Lyons Wakeman to fight for the Union. She died during the war in New Orleans. Her true gender was not known at the time of her death, her headstone reads Lyons Wakeman.  And, during the Mexican War, Elizabeth Newcom enlisted in the Missouri Volunteer Infantry as Bill Newcom and marched 600 miles to winter camp in Colorado before being discovered and discharged.

By the twentieth century, women were enlisting legally. Many women enlisted during World Wars I and II, and while they were not in combat roles, some died and others were prisoners of war. And in this century, women like then-Second Lieutenant Megan Turpin have seen combat and been honored for their courage under fire. Turpin received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” signifying valor. She was honored for leading her supply convoy through a “56-hour odyssey” in southern Afghanistan marked by rocket-propelled grenades, explosive devices and enemy gunfire. For her part, she said she had done nothing other than her job.

The share of female volunteers in the enlisted ranks has increased from 2 percent in 1973 to 14 percent today, according to a Pew report, while the percentage of female commissioned officers quadrupled from 4 percent to 16 percent over the same period, with a strong representation by African American and Hispanic women. An estimated 300,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and female service members have earned more than 10,000 combat action badges, as well as Bronze Stars and at least 12 Bronze Stars with a “V” for valor, according to data gathered by the organization Women in International Security. The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone and it is the fourth-highest individual military award and the ninth-highest by order of precedence in the U.S. Military.

In an article in Psychology Today, Elisabeth Pearson Waugaman, Ph.D. nicely summarized what women warriors represent and what we can learn from them. She wrote,

“What do these women warriors, past and present, have to teach us? … They teach us about courage—what humans will do to stay with or to avenge their loved ones despite enormous hardships, what they will do to escape abuse and to better their lives, what they will do to help their families, what they will go through to prove that a few select women can be just as strong mentally and physically as a few select men in military training.  These women, past and present, are a testament to the desire for freedom, to the courage and the creativity of the human spirit, surmounting incredible odds to follow their loves, their dreams, and their beliefs. By showing men and women how much we are alike, they can help us embrace the complexity of gender and see one another as the same as well as different.”

Finally, there are another two groups of women warriors, rarely recognized as such: Many military spouses and many of the caregivers who provide support for wounded warriors are women. Often, when people marry and their spouse is in the service, they can be signing up for a lifetime of change, moves and deployments. Their support and wellbeing is critical to morale, which fortunately, the military understands and strives to address. Military installations offer some amenities and support, including the significant savings offered by commissaries, career counseling, legal assistance and other services provided to meet families’ needs. But they don’t make up for the loss of a day-to-day parent in the house. As one military wife put it, “Uncle Sam has notoriously bad timing, and he doesn’t send people home when their spouse is in labor or their kids have pneumonia. Military spouses accept this, and (here’s the best part), they carry on anyway.”

So, here’s to you, female warriors, in uniform and at home, who selflessly serve their country. We are proud to support you.

Tweet me:A brief history of the women warriors, in uniform and at home, who selflessly serve their country http://bit.ly/2mVrOoI @sodexoUSA

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Women's History Month, military, caregivers, women warriors, Volunteers, combat, Service, Sodexo

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

Early Bird registration is now open for U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 2017 Circular Economy Summit, From Aspiration to Implementation, on June 26-28 in Washington, D.C. Register today to save your spot!

A joint convening of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and with support from the World Economic Forum, the 2017 Circular Economy Summit: From Aspiration to Implementation will bring together hundreds of circular economy and sustainability thought leaders and practitioners. Participants will explore opportunities and best practices for unlocking the value of the circular economy and scaling solutions across global supply chains.

This year's event will focus on the practical steps companies can take to implement circular economy principles within their organizations. Topics to be covered include:

• New business models and practices
• Systems design principles
• Process and material innovation
• Supply chain innovation
• Transformative partnerships
• Measurement and communications
• And more!

Join us for an event you won't want to miss! Learn how to accelerate circular economy thinking and implementation in your organization that drives growth, performance, and innovation.

Check our event page for updates in the coming weeks, such as featured speakers and discussion topics. 

Questions about the Summit, or interested in speaking or partnership opportunities? Contact Jennifer Gerholdt, Senior Director, Environment Program.  

Tweet me:Discover innovative #circulareconomy business solutions at @USCCFBiz4Good #USCCFcircular economy summit https://goo.gl/lV0IxA

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, circular economy, Circular Economy Summit, From Aspiration to Implementation

SOURCE:Nestlé in the U.S.

DESCRIPTION:

On March 22, Nestlé companies around the world celebrated World Water Day, an observance created by the United Nations (UN) in 1993 to start a global conversation around water. For over 20 years, millions of people around the world have marked the occasion by participating in local events to help educate communities about sustainable water use and water stewardship. Some 4,000 Nestlé employees globally have helped educate more than 100,000 children as part of this important initiative.

According to the UN, over 80 percent of the world's wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused – polluting the environment, and losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials in the process. This year's theme, 'Why waste water?' is about reducing and reusing water, something we do here everyday at Nestlé Waters.

Our business relies on clean, abundant sources of water, which is why we are on a continuous journey to minimize the environmental impact of our operations by increasing efficiencies in our bottle filling process, and by reducing our use of water overall. We also actively seek out new ways and innovative technologies to reduce our impact, such as using reclaimed water for cleaning and cooling in our bottling plants in California. Some of our plants have also adopted practices that benefit our neighbors and the environment, such as those that use reclaimed water for spray irrigation.

At Nestlé Waters, we are proud water stewards every day, but World Water Day allows us to showcase our passion and expertise for the benefit of all. In past years, we have worked with Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) to host educational events for schoolchildren at our locations across the country. This year, Nestlé Waters employees will once again participate in a variety of events, on and around World Water Day, to help educate and create the next generation of water stewards.

Find out what employees of Nestlé Waters North America are doing to celebrate World Water Day near you:

California

Los Angeles

• On March 2nd, employees participated in "Career Day" at Aurora Elementary. Zone Sales Development Manager Rob Griffith and other Nestlé Waters employees also provided water education to 150 local students.

Cabazon

• Employees will partner with Project WET to conduct water stewardship activities with 5th grade classes at Cabazon Elementary School.

Connecticut

Stamford

• Employees will host over 100 students for the Make a Splash Water Festival with 5th and 6th grade students from Veterans Park Elementary School in Ridgefield, and Trailblazers Academy in Stamford.

Florida

CRYSTAL SPRINGS PRESERVE, FL: PROJECTWET MAKE A SPLASH FESTIVAL

Madison Blue

• On March 18th, the Madison Blue team will participate in ECO-Day, hosted by the North Florida Springs Alliance. Volunteers will help perform needed repairs and maintenance to help preserve Madison Blue Springs.

Zephyrhills

• Students from Durant High School will visit Crystal Springs Preserve on World Water Day to learn about water management and reuse.

Illinois

Chicago

• The Chicago team has water education activities planned with Project WET at the Boys and Girls Club (Club One), for over 200 children, ages five and up.

Maine

• Employees will be in local classrooms conducting their Brookie Buddies: Water, Fish and ME program. The water stewardship and conservation program runs from January through May in select classrooms around the state.

Michigan

Northbrook

• The Northbrook team will conduct a water stewardship presentation titled, "Lake Michigan and You" for Wauwatosa and Northbrook employees.

Stanwood

• The Stanwood team will participate in two Adopt-a-Highway events in April, as well as a water education event with Project WET in May.

Pennsylvania

• Employees will participate in the Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers' HydroMania Festival on May 11th, and the Lehigh County Envirothon on May 9th and 11th. The team will also host a Trout in the Classroom Release Day in April/May.

South Carolina

• The McBee team plans to participate in a litter clean-up event at the Carolina Sandhill's National Wildlife Refuge in Chesterfield County.

Texas

Houston

• On March 25th, the Houston team will sponsor and volunteer at the River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash® -- the largest, single-day waterway clean-up in the state.

Dallas & Coppell

• The Dallas and Coppell teams will partner to host a water education festival with a local school in late March.

In Canada, Nestlé Waters' affiliate, Nestlé Waters Canada, will host local students in Ontario for a plant visit and in-house water stewardship and education presentations.

Tweet me:4K Nestlé employees globally have helped educate more than 100k children as part of #WorldWaterDay http://bit.ly/2o9HA0b @NestleWatersNA

KEYWORDS: Environment, Nestle Waters North America, sustainability, world water day, Children, access to clean water

SOURCE:CSX Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

This Women’s History Month, CSX is celebrating a crucial force driving the future of freight railroads: Women. Gender diversity and opportunities for women are key parts of CSX’s overall inclusion program, and CSX is committed to empowering, accelerating and supporting its women at all levels of the business.

Watch the video to hear female leaders at CSX share their insights into this ever-evolving business, comment on their own careers and what got them started in rail, and offer perspective on opportunities for women in this dynamic industry. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #WomenofCSX.

Read more about the making of this video as a part of CSX’s partnership with the Mother Nature Network here.

Tweet me:Women at @CSX talk logistics careers for #WomensHistoryMonth: http://bit.ly/2oa69Kv #WomenofCSX

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Logistics Careers, CSX

SOURCE:Black & Veatch

DESCRIPTION:

BOSTON, March 23, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Jennifer James, Smart City Solutions Lead for Black & Veatch, has been selected to serve on the Boston Advisory Board of Leading Cities. The nonprofit global network promotes sustainable and resilient Smart City solutions by encouraging diplomacy and collaboration.

Jennifer assumes the role with more than 20 years of experience helping cities and communities become more sustainable and resilient to ultimately better the lives of citizens. Jennifer previously led market development efforts for Black & Veatch’s innovative Smart Integrated Infrastructure (SII) business, which helps cities and communities leverage advances in smart infrastructure, communications technology and data analytics to achieve their Smart City goals.

Jennifer is a member of Status Novi (Systems Thinking for Social Impact) and a former Harvard Systems Thinking fellow. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental and Sustainability Management from the Harvard University Extension School and an undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing.

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2015 were US$3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.

Media Contact Information:

MELINA VISSAT | +1 303-256-4065 P | +1 617-595-8009 M | VissatM@BV.com

24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 866-496-9149

Tweet me:BV's Jennifer James named to Boston Advisory Board of @LeadingCities to advance #smartcities #sustainability http://bit.ly/2o9ZX59

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Black & Veatch

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has recognized four of the six series composing Xploration Station, the three-hour block of STEM programming for kids and teens airing weekend mornings on Fox TV Stations, with a total of seven nominations for the 44^th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. DIY Sci,Xploration Awesome Planet, Xploration Outer Space, and Weird But True were all nominated across a range of categories, including Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series for DIY Sci. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday, April 30, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.

“The response we’ve seen from Xploration Station has been absolutely tremendous,” said Steve Rotfeld, president of Steve Rotfeld Productions, which produces all six Xploration Station series. “We are proud to be putting smart, feel-good television on air that kids and families can enjoy. On behalf of everyone here at SRP, I’d like to thank all the talented people who work on these series, and our stations and partners for making this possible.”

The full list of nominations is as follows:

• Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series: DIY Sci
• Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program: Xploration Awesome Planet
• Outstanding Host in a Lifestyle/Travel/Children’s or Family Viewing Program: Emily Calandrelli, Xploration Outer Space
• Outstanding Writing in a Children’s, Pre-School Children’s or Family Viewing Program: Weird But True
• Outstanding Single Camera Editing: Weird But True
• Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing: DIY Sci
• Outstanding Sound Editing – Live Action: DIY Sci

Since its premiere in 2014, Xploration Station has consistently received nominations at the Daytime Emmys. The block garnered five nominations in its first two years on the air, including Xploration Awesome Planet host Phillippe Cousteau, grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, for Outstanding Lifestyle/Travel/Children's Series Host in 2015.

The six series making up the Xploration Station block include Cousteau’s Xploration Awesome Planet, Harvard scholar Emily Calandrelli’s Xploration Outer Space, artist and futurist Chuck Pell’s Xploration Earth 2050, Youtube star Steve Spangler’s DIY Sci, marine biologist Danni Washington’s Nature Knows Best, and Weird but True, hosted by Charlie and Kirby Engleman, produced in partnership with Nat Geo Kids.

Fox TV Stations recently extended Xploration Station’s run through 2020. The entire block airs in more than 100 million homes nationwide on Saturday mornings and is available to stream on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Yahoo View, and Roku.

Learn more about Xploration Station, including where it airs in your city.

Tweet me:.@FOXTV's #STEM programming, @XplorStation, earns 7 Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding family & kids series http://bit.ly/2o9yMHw

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, fox tv, xploration station, STEM, 21st century fox

By: Jim Jenkins

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Members of Generation Z, the youngest generational cohort, are beginning to enter the workforce. Raised in the era of constant communication and instant gratification, these individuals pave the way for a restructuring of our current workforce. As thought leaders, our job not only calls upon us to monitor workplace trends, but to recognize who influences these changes and the challenges and opportunities they present in the workplace.

Born between the years 1994 and 2010, members of Gen Z are the most technologically advanced generation. Unlike their predecessors, these individuals didn’t learn social media through experimentation or trial and error; they grew up using these platforms and understand that the choices they make on social media shape their personal brand – a concept foreign to Generation X and Baby Boomers who’ve taken to social media much later in life. Knowing that their personal brand is derived from their presence on social media — and that it holds the potential to jumpstart or sideline their careers, these individuals are more likely to use platforms such as Snapchat where the content they post isn’t permanent.

Perhaps one of the most socially and politically progressive generations, members of Generation Z see many recent American milestones as nothing out of the ordinary. This was best said by the New York Times: “For today’s 14-year-olds, the nation’s first African-American president is less a historic breakthrough than a fact of life.” Generation Z’s combination of progressiveness, pragmatism and willingness to protect their virtual image makes them a unique and unpredictable generations for marketers studying generational differences.

Of the oldest Generation Zers, who’ve entered the workplace, 84 percent aspire to be leaders. Their drive to succeed in the workplace is evident in their desire for feedback after each work-related assignment and close relationships with mentors and bosses. Another workplace attribute ranked highly among Gen Zers is flexibility. In a society driven by virtual communications these individuals don’t believe that the traditional office structure – i.e. 9-5 in the office – suits their needs. In fact, they feel so strongly about workplace flexibility that it ranked 5 percent higher than receiving healthcare coverage in a survey describing the most important attributes of a job. These results are directly related to Generation Z’s preference to have an excellent work experience above all else – even salary.

Generation Z will bring a heightened sense of drive into the office, which will make mentorship even more important. . Our goal should be to foster relationships with these young working professionals to ensure a fulfilling workplace experience for them. It’s retaining these employees and helping them to grow as professionals that’ll keep them climbing to the top of our corporate ladders.

Share in the comments section some ways you think business leaders can modify the work culture to strengthen the next generation of professionals.
 

Jim Jenkins is CEO of Universities East for Sodexo North America where he oversees more than 400 college and university partnerships. With $9.3 billion in annual revenues in the U.S. and Canada, Sodexo’s 133,000 employees provide more than 100 unique services that increase performance at 9,000 client sites and improve Quality of Life for 15 million consumers every day.

Tweet me:How #GenZ will change the workplace http://bit.ly/2mZcvv3 @sodexoUSA

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, workplace, Technology, generation Z, workplace culture, Sodexo

SOURCE:MicroEdge + Blackbaud

DESCRIPTION:

“You’ve got to have something in place; you can’t do this on excel spreadsheets or emails back and forth, you’ve got to have some type of system.” - Roger Hancock

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good Podcast, Jamie Serino speaks with Roger Hancock, Manager of Community Affairs for CSAA Insurance Group. CSAA Insurance Group is a Civic 50 company that is nationally recognized as one of America's most community-minded companies. With more than 30 years of experience managing corporate giving and volunteering programs, Roger delves into his strategy behind building a corporate volunteer program from the ground up with a workforce that has a variety of job requirements and responsibilities and is spread out across 23 states. Roger details how, in cooperation with local employee volunteer leads, CSAA Insurance Group designed localized volunteer strategies that align with the corporation's values nationwide, which resulted in increasing participation rates from 35% to 98% in just three years. In addition, Roger provides ten steps to building a robust, manageable corporate volunteer program that can be adopted by all sizes and types of companies looking to increase their community impact. 

The Champions for Social Good podcast brings together thought leaders and practitioners in the social good movement to share learnings, educate and inspire change across the sector, and is hosted by Jamie Serino, Director of Marketing, MicroEdge + Blackbaud. For more information, please visit the MicroEdge + Blackbaud Resource Hub and www.microedge.com.

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the Champions for Social Good Podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher, listen on Youtube, or your favorite podcast player. 

Tweet me:10 tips for successful corp #volunteer programs: Roger Hancock, CSAA Ins Group on Champions for #SocialGood podcast http://ow.ly/np8j30aedhm

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Media & Communications, corporate volunteering, Microedge + Blackbaud, csr

Prepay energy services have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional utility services, with notable benefits for both the utility and the customer.

SOURCE:Black & Veatch

DESCRIPTION:

The concept of prepay, even in the utility space, is not new. Historically, these solutions have been viewed as very utility-centric by nature, focused on solving very specific challenges that were seen as problematic or negative. It was challenging for customers to keep track of their balances, and they had to put forth a relatively high level of effort to make payments and recharge their accounts. The result is that prepay was seen as complex and cumbersome.

So what has changed? It’s not enough for technology to simply evolve and mature, for advancement means little unless it aligns with customer needs and expectations. What was once a service focused on addressing the needs of the utility has shifted over time to offer a balanced set of benefits that address the needs of both the utility and the customer. This is due largely to the convergence of key enablers such as:

• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Networks
• Smartphone Adoption
• Growth in Mobile-Optimized Payment Solutions
• Change in Customer Needs and Expectations

The bar has been raised, and customers expect more options, flexibility and visibility regarding the services they receive. From online banking, home security and cell phone prepay plans to smart phones, ecommerce and expanding payment options, customers now consider on-demand and near real-time services the norm – not the exception.

Prepay Benefits

A well-constructed prepay energy program offers the utility and the customer demonstrated benefits. Figure 1 provides a sampling of typical benefits experienced by the utility and prepay energy customer based on Black & Veatch’s direct research, publically available case studies and excerpts from various municipal and cooperative utilities that have implemented prepay energy programs.

The Role of Energy Efficiency in Prepay

It has become increasingly important for the customer to play an active role in realizing energy reductions and savings, and a partnership between the customer and their energy provider is necessary to deliver benefits for both. Customers must be empowered with the information, tools and motivation to establish and sustain changes in how they think of and use energy. Because customers see the dollar effect of their energy use each day, prepay is one of the few energy efficiency (EE) initiatives with a visible correlation to the bill. Unlike a typical monthly bill, prepay customers have a clear understanding of how much their energy cost them the previous day, and have an opportunity to respond proactively in order to curb costs and stay within their budget for the month. As a result, EE measures that tie closely to a customer’s bill are going to see the greatest long-term success.

This “near real time” view of energy costs – along with the flexibility to make payments timed to their budget requirements – provides customers with transparency and opportunities to better predict and manage their energy costs. For utilities, recognizing the EE benefits can help support the business case for a prepay offering. Paired with improved customer satisfaction, operational benefits and debt reduction, the benefits for both the utility and the customer become increasingly clear.

Policy Considerations

Utilities establishing prepay energy programs will face a number of policy issues that will need to be carefully thought through to determine implications to regulators, customer advocates, internal resources, procedures and customers. Policies should be aligned with the prepay energy program strategy and objectives. For example, typical policies that utilities should consider include disconnect and reconnect restrictions/rules,  program type (rate vs. billing option), fees, payments, balances and de-enrollment. 

 A Platform for Customer Engagement

Utilities are prioritizing partnerships with their customers. According to the 2016 Black & Veatch Strategic Directions: Smart City/Smart Utility Report, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated their utility seeks direct ownership of the customer relationship. Establishing and maintaining meaningful and regular engagement is key to this objective. By providing feedback and education tied directly to the bill, prepay creates a regular dialog between the utility and the customer that is both useful and actionable.

Utilities can then expand upon this interaction by creating opportunities to help customers identify additional ways to enhance the service they receive. Furthermore, the overall quality of engagement improves. Having important information at their fingertips reduces the time customers need to spend on the phone with their utility and makes those interactions more positive and productive. As a result, the customer and the utility see direct benefits in the quality of the engagement as well as new opportunities to create value for both.

The Future of Prepay

It will be important for utilities to recognize the opportunity for prepay’s broader appeal. Enabled by the catalyst of the “mobile first” movement, connected devices and infrastructure, and evolving customer expectations, prepay is positioned to act as a “gateway” product for a growing number of customers. It can create opportunities for add-on services over time, such as time variable rates and in-home connected devices.

A prepay energy service won’t appeal to everyone. However, the benefits will resonate with many customers that are more comfortable with mobile-optimized services or who want to stay informed and have more control over how they pay for their energy use. As part of a broader portfolio, prepay offers value that will help establish and improve engagement between the utility and their customers. By balancing the needs of the utility and the customer, it will deliver benefits and success for both.

Additional Contact 
David Glenwright, Principal, Black & Veatch Management Consulting

Tweet me:Prepay #energy services are a viable alternative to traditional #utility services, empowers utility & customer http://bit.ly/2odjUZ5

KEYWORDS: Energy, Affordable and Clean Energy, utilities, advanced metering, AMI, energy efficiency, prepay, prepay services, Black & Veatch

Learn How to Keep your Business and your Community Safe

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

March 29, 2017
2:00 pm -- 3:00 pm 
Register here

According to the FBI’s most recent data, there were almost 8 million property crime offenses in the United States in 2015.  And, according to Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) estimates, roughly 2 million employees per year are affected by some form of workplace violence.

In light of these worrying statistics, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center will host a webinar, Addressing Today’s Safety and Security Threats. The session is intended to help businesses better understand what threats they face, and what steps they can take now to mitigate potential problems. 

The webinar will provide practical advice for businesses to understand their top security threats, identify strategies owners and employees can take before a crime occurs, reduce business vulnerability, and work with employees to design effective plans for responding  when an incident occurs. 

Register here

Tweet me:Want to learn how to keep your business safe? Register for @USCCFBiz4Good and @johnsoncontrols free webinar on 3/29: http://bit.ly/2oe54S5

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Education, safety, security, disaster, webinar, USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

Help Available for Customers Paying Final Winter Heating Bills

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

JACKSON, Mich., March 24, 2017 /3BL Media/ – The Consumers Energy Foundation announced today that it has contributed $150,000 to support free tax preparation services and Michigan’s 2-1-1 network– resources that help families and individuals statewide as they receive their final heating bills from this winter.

“We want people to help us spread the word to friends, family members and neighbors that help is available to pay energy bills,” said Chad Miller, Consumers Energy’s manager of low-income programs. “It can be as simple as making a phone call or using the expertise of trained tax preparation volunteers who can help families receive the Home Heating Credit and more.”

The Consumers Energy Foundation recently provided $150,000 to the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) to support a statewide coalition providing free tax assistance to financially vulnerable families, individuals and children, using Michigan’s 2-1-1 system for referrals and scheduling. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is supported by the Internal Revenue Service that provides people who make roughly $54,000 or less with free assistance in preparing their tax returns.

 “Free tax programs are so important to helping Michigan families keep more of what they earn in their pockets,” said Ross Yednock, program director of the Michigan Economic Impact Coalition at CEDAM. “Consumer Energy’s support of these efforts is critical to ensuring access to this service across our great state, and we are grateful for their continued partnership.”

“Michigan families can qualify for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in available tax relief and other programs offered through agency support and Consumers Energy,” Miller said. 

“As many as one in five households will struggle to pay their energy bills. Even if you do not qualify for help, it’s important that you let loved ones and friends know where they can turn in times of need.”

Miller offered the following resources for anyone who’s facing hardship in keeping up with heating bills:

1. Call 2-1-1. The statewide network can provide callers with tax assistance locations or contact information for nonprofit organizations that can help with needs.
2. Apply to the State Emergency Relief Program if you face an immediate need – those who qualify may receive up to $1,700 in energy assistance. Apply online at www.Michigan.gov/mibridges or contact state Department of Health and Human Services offices. Find help near you completing the form.
3. Find free tax assistance locations at www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org.
4. Ask your tax preparer about the Home Heating Credit and the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which are benefits for working people with low to moderate income. For income guidelines, contact your employer, call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676, or visit www.irs.gov.
5. Learn about programs that can help Consumers Energy customers with their bills at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/assistance.
6. Learn about ways to reduce your energy bill and more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/energyanswers.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com

Tweet me:.@ConsumersEnergy Foundation Contributes $150,000 to Provide Access for Free Tax Assistance, Support 2-1-1 http://bit.ly/2nvVfBF

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Access to Technology, Consumers Energy

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

Members of the Maryland Housing and Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization team joined Deputy Secretary Tony Reed and Keep America Beautiful's Senior Vice President/Recycling Brenda Pulley in Baltimore's Waverly neighborhood on March 20 for the launch of Keep Maryland Beautiful, coinciding with the launch of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup.

Keep Maryland Beautiful, a new state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a multi-agency partnership aiming to reduce litter and change Maryland for the better from the ground up. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan also declared March 20 as "Keep Maryland Beautiful Day." Deputy Secretary Reed took a walking tour of the Waverly neighborhood and joined Waverly Main Street Executive Director Emilie Drascher and volunteers to help plant shrubs on site.

As a Keep America Beautiful state affiliate, Maryland will focus on neighborhood beautification statewide through increasing urban greening, citizen stewardship, community education, and litter removal activities. The program will also promote local workforce development through volunteer recruitment and jobs skills training.

Continue reading here.

Tweet me:#FF @kabtweet Affiliate Stories: Keep Maryland Beautiful joins Keep America Beautiful to do #DoBeautifulThings http://bit.ly/2odu63z

Contact Info:

Mike Rosen
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3008
mrosen@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Events, Media & Communications, Keep America Beautiful, Keep Maryland Beautiful, Great American Cleanup, Waverly Main Street, Living Classrooms, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

21st Century Fox’s National Geographic has selected three high school students as the recipients of the National Geographic Student Expeditions Inaugural Teen Service Award, a new program recognizing young people who have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in their communities. Alexa Grabelle, Delaney Reynolds, and Kaimana Idica will each receive $500 college scholarships, and Grabelle, as the grand prize winner, will embark on a National Geographic Community Service Expedition to Fiji this summer. The awards program is one of the many ways National Geographic continues to empower the next generation of global citizens and explorers.

“Connecting with and benefiting communities around the world is a key focus of National Geographic Student Expeditions, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize students across the country who are making a difference in their own communities,” said Deb Friedman, vice president for independent and specialty travel for National Geographic. “We were blown away by the nominations we received for these awards.”

National Geographic received nearly 300 submissions for the award, for which parents, teachers, and local leaders could nominate middle or high school students investing time and effort into their communities. Following the submission period, judges at Nat Geo selected 16 finalists, each of whom were asked to write a short essay on the importance of community service and what inspires them to give back. The judges then chose the grand prize winner and two runners-up based on those essays.

Grabelle, 15, who attends high school in New Jersey, won the grand prize for founding the nonprofit Bags of Books at age 10 and continuing to work with volunteers to collect and distribute children’s books to low-income families. She has given away more than 110,000 children’s books to date, and in recognition of her work, National Geographic’s Kids Books will also donate 300 children’s books to her organization.

“Equality and justice means that all children, regardless of background, must have an equal opportunity to obtain the resources and skills they need to succeed in school and life,” Grabelle said. “Changing the world means helping children, one book at a time.”

Reynolds and Idica, high school seniors in Miami and Hawaii, respectively, both addressed climate change and environmental issues in their community service projects, for which they were recognized as runners-up. Through her work with the Sink or Swim Project, Reynolds aims to educate as many people as possible about the negative effects climate change is already having on ecosystems in Florida. Her efforts, including educational lectures, children’s books and more, have reached an estimated 35,000 people.

Similarly, Idica has partnered with several nonprofits to educate the public in Maui about the effects that plastics specifically have on the environment. He has created zero-waste local for public events, led film projects, and spoken at high schools across the state.

“Today our society has gotten lazy by living in a world of convenience,” Idica said. “I cannot just look the other way and say, ‘Someone else will do it.’ There are too many people saying that already.”

Keep reading at impact.21CF.com

Tweet me:First @NatGeo Teen Service Award honors young people making a difference: http://bit.ly/2nvJuLN @21CF_Impact #climatechange #illiteracy

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, 21st century fox, National Geographic, teen service award, young people, Youth, climate change, sustainability, illiteracy, nonprofit, Charity, Student, expedition

SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

While the names and enormous accomplishments of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were left out of history books, these brilliant African American women are now getting the recognition they deserve with the release of the blockbuster film “Hidden Figures” in 2016.

In honor of Black History Month in February, Booz Allen Hamilton held a series of “Hidden Figures” screenings in theatres across the country. The firm encouraged its employees not just to attend the film, but to start conversations around diversity and inclusion that bridge differences across its social channels.

The firm continued the conversation in March, Women’s History Month, by launching a series of profiles featuring Booz Allen’s own brilliant women engineers. The series explores why these women chose STEM-related careers and how their technical skills and contributions are making a difference to solve some of the biggest challenges of today.

And Velma Deleveaux, Ph.D., principal at Booz Allen Hamilton is one of those women (pictured right).

As a child, Velma emigrated to the U.S. from Crooked Island, Bahamas, population: 250. Now, in her 13th year at Booz Allen, she's a principal in the firm’s civil and commercial business. With a background in industrial systems, and manufacturing engineering, Velma examines every angle of a problem to design truly optimized systems, strategies, and solutions.

Velma finds inspiration in attacking big challenges and helping people see beyond their circumstances to understand their true potential. "I love the look on people's faces when the light turns on and they realize what they're capable of."

To ensure equality for women and minorities in the workplace, Velma says, “It’s essential to find and promote diverse talent for the sake of performance, not just diversity for its own sake. Studies show diverse teams derive better solutions because they bring diverse perspectives.”

“Some women are tiring of the fight, and starting to feel it’s not worth it, having to fight as hard as they do just to prove their worth, then put another 100 percent into raising a family. We must take heart in remembering how much our mothers and grandmothers sacrificed to bring us opportunities that they were denied. We must support each other and forge alliances. One day women and minorities in senior leadership will be the norm, not an anomaly. We are not there yet.”     

Through its “Problem Solvers” campaign and STEM Girls 4 Social Good initiative, Booz Allen continues to build on its commitment to developing a strong and diverse STEM workforce. “Every day at Booz Allen we talk about how diversity—of background, experience, and thought—is essential to maintaining the excellence of the work we do,” said Booz Allen Director of Brand Michael Dumlao. “In order to foster a corporate culture that embraces and nurtures diversity, it’s important for us to be able to talk to one another about race and gender.”

At Booz Allen, your career is our passion. Visit BoozAllen.com/careers. 

Tweet me:Problem Solvers Campaign Promotes #Diversity, Celebrates Women in #STEM Careers @BoozAllen http://bit.ly/2odK4dZ

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Booz Allen Hamilton, STEM, diversity, “Hidden Figures”, STEM Girls for Social Good, inclusion

This is the fourth of a five-part series that takes a look at each of the 2017 Michael Weiner Scholarship recipients.

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Since 2015, the Major League Baseball Players Trust has annually awarded a Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies to five deserving law or graduate school students pursuing careers aimed at protecting and defending workers' rights. The Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies was established by Major Leaguers to honor the life and work of the Major League Baseball Players Association’s late executive director.

This is the fourth of a five-part series that takes a look at each of the 2017 winners.

Susannah Maltz

Philadelphia native Susannah Maltz, who is among the five winners of the 2017 Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies recently announced by the Major League Baseball Players Trust, initially studied linguistics at NYU, but ultimately veered to what she considers a more fulfilling career path.

“I went to law school in order to serve the workers’ rights movement,” said Maltz, who now attends City University of New York School of Law. “The scholarship’s focus on labor organizing issues fit perfectly with my course of study, and my intentions for my future as an attorney.”

Maltz, who roots for the Phillies, believes the Players Association’s record of accomplishment over 50-plus years serves the greater labor movement as a visible example of the gains workers can achieve when they stick together and form cohesive unions.

Maltz noted it’s “heartening to see a powerful and passionate union that has continued to build momentum since its inception.”

To learn more about Susannah, please click here.

Tweet me:#MichaelWeiner Scholarship recipient Susannah Maltz @CUNYLaw sees critical need to protect workers’ rights. http://bit.ly/2nwDrGu

KEYWORDS: Education, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Baseball, Major League Baseball, MLB, unions, worker's rights, Labor Movement, law school, graduate school, scholarships, scholarship, College

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

World Water Day took place on Wednesday March 22 and aimed to bring awareness to the global water crisis. Based on the multitude of campaigns, it’s clear that companies are taking note and are motivated to make a difference in the global fight to protect our most precious natural resource.

The business case for better managing and reporting on water risks is stronger than ever: 68 percent of companies report that by responding to water stewardship issues, they have benefited from cost savings, increased sales of new products, improved brand value, business resilience and competitive advantage. Beyond the business case, however, companies are seizing World Water Day as a moment in time to communicate with stakeholders about their efforts. Here are just a few of the many examples:

• Last year, Colgate spent upwards of $5M on an ad that highlighted water conservation and they continued their conservation efforts this year for World Water Day. The company ran a Snapchat ad that featured water flowing upwards from a faucet along with the following text “TURNING is all it takes to close the faucet. Brush with a closed faucet to save up to 4 gallons of water.” The ad aimed to engage a millennial audience and spark conversation about the company’s simple call to action for water conservation.

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:3 companies chose #worldwaterday to surprise consumers' during daily routines & bring awareness to the #watercrisis http://bit.ly/2o0kVnY

KEYWORDS: Environment, Clean Water and Sanitation, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, world water day, Water Conservation, Cone Communications

SOURCE:Keystone Human Services

DESCRIPTION:

I have good news about the proposed Pennsylvania budget to share with you. The collective strength and advocacy at the state level of individuals and organizations involved in human services has led to the most favorable budget proposal for intellectual disability and autism services that we have seen in Pennsylvania in many years. The proposed PA budget includes funding for a rate increase, affecting not just people with disability but also the people who support them.

This budget proposal is a win for intellectual disability and autism services!

Highlights from the proposed budget for intellectual disability and autism services include:

• $54.7 million to provide for rate increases from the renewal of the waiver program;
• $109.7 million to provide for increases in utilization and costs;
• $15.4 million for the Community Living Waiver to create a new program for family caregivers to ensure 1,000 individuals currently on the waiting list can continue to live at home;
• $8.5 million to expand services for individuals with disability to provide home and community-based services for 820 students graduating from special education—a figure that is projected to cover every such student this coming year;
• Funding to begin to transition individuals from the Hamburg State Center to home and community-based services;
• $9.3 million for new community participation services from the renewal of the waiver program; and
• $642,000 in Autism Intervention and Services for home and community-based services for 50 additional adults with autism spectrum disorder.

This is the first time in ten years that funding has been proposed for across the board rate increases, increased community-based services, and waiting list initiatives.

If the intellectual disability and autism portion of the budget remains intact, the budget will increase our ability to address direct support professional compensation, and decrease vacancies and turnover, as well as continue to improve the services we provide to the people we support.

This is an important time to make our voices heard. I encourage you to contact your legislator to let them know you support the proposed budget for intellectual disabilities and autism. The work we do every day is critical to the lives of the many people we support.

Please join our mailing list if you would like to receive regular updates like this from Keystone Human Services.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our mission and the people we serve.

Charles J. Hooker III
President and CEO, Keystone Human Services

Tweet me:Proposed PA budget has critical rate increases for autism, intellectual disabilities says @Keystone_KHS’s @chooker3: http://bit.ly/2n9oaI1

Contact Info:

Charles Hooker
Keystone Human Services
+1 (717) 232-7509
chooker@keystonehumanservices.org

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Health & Healthcare, autism, intellectual disabilities, Keystone Human Services, human services, Disabilities, Pennsylvania budget

SOURCE:Ceres

DESCRIPTION:

March 27, 2017 /3BL Media/ -The nonprofit sustainability organization Ceres announced today that Eastern Bank has joined the Ceres Company Network. The Ceres board of directors approved the mutual bank’s membership in February 2017.

In joining the Ceres Company Network, Eastern Bank affirms its commitment to maintaining a sustainable business across Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Ceres membership will help support Eastern Bank’s continued efforts to improve its sustainability policies, procedures, and social and environmental performance.

The Ceres Company Network includes more than 50 companies from diverse sectors including financial services, food and beverage, footwear and apparel, and electric power, among others. Eligibility for Ceres Company Network membership requires an executive-level commitment to sustainability and a dedication to integrating sustainability into business strategies and decision-making.

“As a community bank, Eastern’s success depends upon healthy, vibrant, and prosperous communities,” said Bob Rivers, Chairman and CEO. “We are delighted to join the Ceres Company Network and our membership affirms our focus upon having a positive impact, and will provide opportunities to refine and strengthen our commitment to sustainability going forward.”

In 2013, Eastern Bank signed the Ceres Climate Declaration, calling on companies and policymakers to seize the economic opportunities in tackling climate change. Since then, the company has continued to demonstrate its sustainability leadership, including achieving 100 percent renewable energy sourcing for all of its branches and corporate offices. The company also extended its community development lending program to include support for renewable energy. Eastern has provided $185 million in financing to fund 17 solar farms, which produce enough energy to provide power for 13,300 homes just in Massachusetts.  

This year, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation will donate nearly $7.0 million to eligible organizations focused on serving historically marginalized communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“Financial institutions have a critical role to play in financing the transition to a low-carbon future, and actualizing a more sustainable global economy," said Ceres President Mindy Lubber. “As America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, Eastern has been uniquely committed to the communities it has served since 1818.  Eastern Bank’s membership to Ceres evidences the bank’s executive-level commitment to sustainable business.”

Eastern Bank joins the Ceres Company Network as its first regional and mutual bank member, alongside other banking and financial sector members including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Legg Mason, Morgan Stanley, State Street, Wells Fargo, and Vancity.

For more information about the Ceres Company Network, visit http://www.ceres.org/company-network.

About Eastern Bank

Founded in 1818 and based in Boston, Eastern Bank is America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, with $10 billion in assets and over 120 locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire and Rhode Island.  Eastern provides exceptional access to fairly priced banking, investment and insurance products and services for consumers and businesses of all sizes. Eastern Bank, which includes Eastern Wealth Management and Eastern Insurance, is known for its outspoken advocacy and community support that has topped more than $100 million in charitable giving over the past 20 years.  An inclusive company, Eastern employs 1,900 deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. Join us for good at www.easternbank.com.

About Ceres

Ceres is a non-profit sustainability organization that is mobilizing many of the world’s largest companies and investors to take stronger action on climate change, water scarcity and other global sustainability challenges. Ceres directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a group of 120 institutional investors managing about $15 trillion assets focused on the business risks and opportunities of climate change and water scarcity. Ceres also engages with 100-plus companies, many of them Fortune 500 businesses, committed to sustainable business practices and the urgency for strong climate and clean energy policies. For more information, visit www.ceres.org or follow on Twitter @CeresNews.

Tweet me:.@EasternBank joins @CeresNews and commits to sustainable practices, policies, and environmental/social performance. http://buff.ly/2or86lQ

Contact Info:

Peyton Fleming
Ceres
+1 (617) 733-6660
fleming@ceres.org

Sara Sciammacco
Ceres
+1 (617) 247-0700ext. 172
sciammacco@ceres.org

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Sustainability, CERES