SOURCE:P&G

DESCRIPTION:

At P&G, we're committed to creating a world where women and girls have equal opportunity and an equal voice. In honor of International Day of the Girl, a day focused on bringing attention, action, and enthusiasm to helping girls reach their full potential, we shared our support of two new programs that drive positive change towards gender equality.

An important part of our commitment to gender equality is removing barriers to education for girls. That’s why P&G and Always are proud to support the launch of the Global Girls Alliance with Michelle Obama.

The Global Girls Alliance seeks to empower adolescent girls around the world through education, and is designed to support grassroots leaders who best understand the unique challenges girls face in the local communities and the strategies that are needed to overcome them. 

“Equal access to education creates opportunities for girls, healthier families and stronger communities,” said Carolyn Tastad, P&G North America Group President and Gender Equality Executive Sponsor. “The Global Girls Alliance will help more adolescent girls gain an education, reach their full potential and become future leaders of tomorrow.”

During her takeover of the TODAY morning show, Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of educating the girls of future generations. “The stats show that when you educate a girl, you educate a family, a community and a country,” the former first lady said.

To help support these international girls’ education efforts, the P&G Fund is matching donations to the Global Girls Alliance Fund that is supporting grassroots girls’ education projects around the world for a total contribution of $250,000. You can join us in supporting girls’ education through the Global Girls Alliance here. 

In addition to P&G and Always’ support of the launch of the Global Girls Alliance, P&G is also partnering with Galli Galli Sim Sim, the local Sesame Workshop India, to create new content episodes for “Growing up Chamki.” The episodes follow lead character Chamki as she addresses gender stereotypes and social norms through play.

“Sesame’s gender equality programming is entertaining for all family members – it can have a lasting impact on young children’s lives and is driving positive change toward a more equal world,” said Tastad.

We are delighted to support our friends at Sesame Workshop for the amazing work they’re doing to create positive change towards gender equality.

The future of our world is only as bright as our girls – and we are proud on International Day of the Girl to join like-minded organizations who support our continued commitment to removing gender bias that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.

Tweet me:.@ProcterGamble and @Always are proud to support the launch of the @girlsalliance with @MichelleObama http://bit.ly/2yPJhHk #DayoftheGirl

KEYWORDS: P&G

Event coincides with LA Kings G.O.A.L.S. program in partnership with Blue Shield of California, which provides character building and wellness activities for youth

SOURCE:AEG

DESCRIPTION:

AEG’s LA Kings and Kings Care Foundation teamed up with Team Smile, a national advocacy group that provides life-changing dental care to underserved children, to host and provide free dental care to 300 students from the Crenshaw area in Los Angeles on Friday, October 12.

Throughout the morning at the Crenshaw Family YMCA students received free on-site dental exams administered by Team Smile in addition to lessons on dental hygiene. Students also participated in arts and crafts with the Kings Wives, as well as ball hockey led by the Kings’ Hockey Development Street Team and the LA Kings Ice Crew and mascot, Bailey.

“This LA Kings event had such a great impact on the youth in our communities and the immediate benefits were apparent,” said Simone Jackson, senior program director, Crenshaw Family YMCA. “From cleanings to fillings and extractions, the event provided much needed care for our youth that otherwise would have gone without.”

The event was part of the LA Kings G.O.A.L.S., a character building and wellness program in partnership with Blue Shield of California, which equips children in Los Angeles with the practical skills and tools they need to lead healthy lives.

In January 2017, the NHL and the Kings unveiled state-of-the-art renovations to the Crenshaw Family YMCA as part of the 2017 NHL® All-Star Legacy Project. Renovations included a brand new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Lab and upgrades to the Youth Activity Center and Multi-Purpose Room, the Teen Resource Center and the outdoor space.

The Crenshaw Family YMCA also participates in the LA Kings Ball Hockey Program teaching the fundamentals of the game. To sign up please visit lakings.com/ymca.

Tweet me:AEG’s @LAKingsCare team up with @TeamSmile to provide 300 children with free dental care at the Crenshaw Family #YMCA as part of the @LAKings G.O.A.L.S. Program sponsored by @BlueShieldCA! http://bit.ly/2ypa5yG

KEYWORDS: AEG, LA Kings, Crenshaw Family YMCA, YMCA, Team Smile, dental care

SOURCE:Pentair

DESCRIPTION:

by Marybeth Thorsgaard

Imagine living in an area the size of New York’s Central Park with one million other people without access to clean, safe drinking water. This is the reality for residents of Kibera, an impoverished settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Up until recently, there was no reliable clean water in Kibera, and Kibera residents often paid ten times what Nairobi city residents paid.

Kennedy Odede, who spent his childhood in Kibera, dreamed of bringing a better quality of life and greater opportunities to the people of Kibera. He founded Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) to help provide critical services for all, including clean water, health care, education and economic empowerment for women and girls. His story was recently featured on BBC, which can be viewed here.

Pentair has been integral in helping Odede achieve his vision. In collaboration with SHOFCO, Pentair recently completed a multi-year endeavor to expand access to safe drinking water in Kibera through the implementation of water filtration technology and a cutting-edge aerial piping system to sustainably deliver clean water to residents.

According to Pentair’s Chief Technology Officer, Phil Rolchigo, treating the water in Kibera to make it safe to drink was only the first step. The larger challenge was how to sustainably deliver the treated water to residents as the water distribution system was not secure, leaving the potential for contamination as well as vandalism. The solution was to literally reach for the sky and a custom aerial piping system, the first of its kind to be constructed in Kenya, was designed and installed.

The breakthrough approach is gaining attention. SHOFCO is being honored as the 2018 Hilton Humanitarian Prize recipient at the Hilton Humanitarian Symposium and Prize Ceremony on Friday, October 19 for its local approach to transforming lives by providing critical services that disrupt the survival model, including the sustainable delivery of clean water in Kibera.

Congratulations to the team from Pentair’s office in Noida, India, that led the effort to design and install the system in Kibera. To read more about the project, click here.

Marybeth Thorsgaard currently serves as Pentair's Vice President of Communications and President of the Pentair Foundation.

Tweet me:Water filtration technology and an aerial piping system designed by @Pentair delivers clean #water to #Kibera residents, part of a collaboration w/SHOFCO @hope2shine to implement the Kibera School for Girls’ Clean Water Access Project pilot program. http://bit.ly/2yLI03O

KEYWORDS: Pentair, Shining Hope for Communities, NYSE:PNR

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Just outside Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park police officers Jeremy Halek and Tony Weeks were driving around town recently when they came across something remarkable.

"We just saw a car kind of pulled over. You could tell something was going on and then as we got closer, you could see that he was giving chest compressions," Tony said.

Visit CBSNews.com for the full story, and to watch the video.

Tweet me:VIDEO | Compassionate @MorriesAuto #Subaru employee Chris Felix saves injured #squirrel in #BrooklynPark, MN. http://bit.ly/2yneBxp @Subaru_USA #SquirrelRescue #SubaruLovePromise

KEYWORDS: subaru, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, Squirrels, Wildlife rescue, Chris Felix

SOURCE:Domtar

DESCRIPTION:

At Domtar, our position as a forest products industry leader is rooted in our ability to focus on sustainability across our manufacturing processes. That’s apparent in the great progress we’ve made toward achieving our 2020 sustainability goals, especially through our waste-reduction initiatives.

Much like using every part of a tree is a responsible forestry practice, the beneficial reuse of manufacturing byproducts is a key component of sustainable operations. In fact, 74 percent of our pulp and paper mills’ manufacturing byproducts now are beneficially reused instead of being thrown away. That’s much higher than our industry’s 47 percent average reuse rate. Since 2013 alone, our pulp and paper mills have reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by 36 percent.

One example of our ongoing waste-reduction initiatives is our work with lignin, which is the natural glue that holds wood fibers together. Lignin is a byproduct of the kraft pulping process, and we used to burn it to generate additional power for our mills. But we now know lignin has value in other applications. Today, we’re exploring its many potential uses as a renewable alternative to conventional plastics and petroleum-based products.

Our waste-reduction initiatives go even further than that. Did you know your perfume’s floral fragrance and your toothpaste’s minty freshness originated as crude sulfate turpentine, a USDA-certified, all-natural and renewable byproduct of our manufacturing process? Many of the scents and flavorings in products you encounter every day are derived from byproducts of the pulp- and paper-making process.

Our Windsor Mill is expected to extend the life of its landfill by about 40 years because 95 percent of what it used to consider waste is now being reused. For example, consider sludge — a slushy effluent mixture from the pulp- and paper-making process. It used to be the mill’s single-largest waste stream, but now it’s being used as a fertilizer to help grow hybrid poplar trees.

Crops in North and South Carolina also benefit from pulp and paper byproducts. Nutrient-rich potassium- and lime-based fertilizers from our Plymouth and Marlboro mills yield healthier crops while saving farmers money and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Turning waste into reusable products that benefit the environment is a win-win situation that’s allowed Domtar to be recognized as one of the United States’ top sustainability leaders, ranking alongside some of the nation’s largest publicly traded companies.

The best part is we’re just scratching the surface with our waste-reduction initiatives. Our innovative and agile employees across our 13 pulp and paper mills are always looking for ways to reduce waste through reuse, and we’re excited to see what they come up with next!

Tweet me:.@DomtarEveryday, our position as a #forest products industry leader is rooted in our ability to focus on #sustainability across our #manufacturing processes. http://bit.ly/2ClAQ9Z

KEYWORDS: Domtar, Paper and Pulp Production, Waste Reduction, plastic alternatives

By Jean-Pascal Tricoire

SOURCE:Schneider Electric

DESCRIPTION:

Before us lies a great opportunity — for the economy, for the health of our cities and businesses, and much more.

While the innovations of the Industrial Revolution introduced many of the practices that we now know contribute to climate change, the innovations of the digital revolution are delivering the solutions needed to create a more sustainable world. Dependence on finite resources created the problem; digitization and data are providing the answer. We are truly living in a world of data.

The digital revolution helps answering several of the major sustainability challenges, dispelling some of the lingering myths regarding sustainability and business growth.

Myth #1: Business growth must come at an environmental cost.

Economic growth can be decoupled from environmental impact. This requires the adoption of business models based on a circular economy, which goes beyond the traditional 3 R’s (reduce, recycle, reuse) to embrace a 5 R approach: repair, reuse, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycle. Businesses based on a circular economy model open up new avenues for increased efficiency and growth. A prime example is European auto manufacturer Renault, whose remanufactured parts now include injection pumps, gearboxes, injectors, and turbo compressors. These parts are 30%-50% less expensive than newly manufactured parts, the facility sends no material to landfills, and the process uses far less resources compared to new production: 80% less energy, 88% less water, 92% less chemical products.^[1] In a circular economy model, what was once thought of as waste is now thought of as simply more raw material.

Digitization makes a circular economy model achievable for many businesses through better connection and communication with customers. With this comes an unprecedented, end-to-end traceability of product from raw materials through to recycling. Digitization also empowers the data-driven optimization of manufacturing processes, where real-time feedback and alerts help reduce waste, cut costs, and gain efficiencies. Improved efficiency also comes from extended usage cycles made possible by the connected monitoring systems powered by IIoT technology. Additionally, digitization refuels the development of innovative new services, retrofitting offers, take-back programs, and beyond.

Myth #2: Sustainability data is still too costly and time-consuming to manage.

Any company can now turn to technology for help in sustainability tracking, disclosure, and reporting. Digital solutions can now transform seemingly endless amounts of data into meaningful, digestible information to drive corporate sustainability initiatives. However, according to a recent Schneider Electric study, 80 percent of companies are collecting data, though only 55 percent say they have the connected devices and software required to collect on energy and carbon savings opportunities efficiently. In manufacturing, the new generation of enterprise software is more sophisticated, and connected devices such as sensors are simpler, smaller and, at the same time, more intelligent. In the cloud, analytics and machine learning work in tandem to reduce CO2 footprints — from company-wide operations down to individual processes.

Schneider Electric’s sustainability team worked with Whirlpool to define key data streams and deploy an energy and sustainability management platform, EcoStruxure™ Resource Advisor, to track and evaluate performance across the company’s facilities worldwide. Whirlpool can now turn its sustainability efforts into tangible business value. For example, by understanding they had 20 million pounds of corrugated cardboard waste in their Ohio plants alone, they anticipate saving more than $1 million over the next three years — just in one state within one region.

With the implementation of smart, connected technology, businesses can not only gather and manage sustainability data efficiently — sustainability itself can be actively and dramatically improved.

Myth #3: Sustainability is good for reputation but not for business growth.

Sustainability has always been an investment. But today that investment is just as much in the future of businesses as it is in the future of the planet. This is because the technologies that make a company more sustainable are the same that make a company more efficient in operations, more productive, safer, and more resilient.

According to a recently released Schneider Electric report, decision makers began to see noticeable rates of return within just 12 months of implementing new technology. Of those surveyed, 75% expected to have the ability to intelligently connect people, processes, and data through devices and sensors within one year.^[2]

Is corporate sustainability about reputation? Absolutely. But the stakes are now much higher. It’s about relationships and responsibility with customers, suppliers, shareholders, investors, civil society, employees, and the world. When it comes to corporate sustainability, the solutions are ready and waiting. We have the tools and now we must do the work to capitalize on the opportunities before us — to create more than a healthy sustainable world, but also robust, connected economies and thriving, resilient businesses prepared for the future.

^[1] Ellen Macarthur Foundation, “The Circular Economy Applied to the Automotive Industry,” July 2013

^[2] Hughes, M., “The Secret to Sustainable Success,” Schneider Electric, September 2017

Tweet me:.@SchneiderElec dispels 3 myths about #sustainability and business http://bit.ly/2JcfSMh

KEYWORDS: EPA:SU, Schneider Electric

SOURCE:Xylem Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

During Xylem Watermark’s October Month of Service, employees from Xylem’s office in Axminster, UK have created a simulation in which they cycle in the office to raise awareness of the 6.5km walked by women each day for approximately 20 liters of water in areas affected by water scarcity. Each morning, the employees take note of the distance cycled and calculate the equivalent amount of water carried. This information is then entered onto their water measure poster pictured below.

About Xylem Watermark

Xylem Watermark, Xylem’s corporate citizenship program, provides and protects safe water resources for many of the world’s most vulnerable communities and educates individuals around the globe about water issues. This social commitment reflects Xylem’s ethos of valuing the “triple bottom-line:” financial, environmental and social. The company firmly believes in the notion of doing well by doing good, and dedicates resources to initiatives that demonstrate its commitment.

Xylem Watermark was founded in 2008 and, with its six nonprofit partners, has provided clean water and sanitation solutions to over three million people in 38 countries. Xylem launched its first Global Month of Service in October 2016 to provide a focused time to inspire employees to get involved and bring the mission of Xylem Watermark to their communities. In 2017, Xylem Watermark launched the Make Your Mark 30 Day Challenge to engage employees in solving global and local water issues in ways about which they are passionate.

To learn more about Xylem Watermark, please visit http://www.xylemwatermark.com.

Tweet me:.@XylemInc employees in Axminster create an office simulation to raise awareness about the 6.5km walked by women for approximately 20 liters of water each day in areas affected by #WaterScarcity http://bit.ly/2CThMB2 @XylemWatermark #MakeYourMark

Contact Info:

xylemwatermark@xyleminc.com

KEYWORDS: NYSE:XYL, Xylem Watermark, VOLUNTEERISM & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, Xylem, Make Your Mark, People

SOURCE:Dell

DESCRIPTION:

by Jessica Anderson

“We looked for harmful algal blooms – and we learned about how this is happening because of people and climate change. Fish eat these algae. Sea lions eat the fish. Scientists are seeing how harmful algae is affecting neurochemicals of the sea lions’ brains – and that was a memorable lesson for me,” says Clara Herrera, a fifth-grade teacher at Clayton Elementary School in Austin, Texas.

Herrera is excited and descriptive when she talks about her recent five-day research expedition as a JASON Learning Teacher Argonaut. Herrera was selected as an Argonaut and in September, she joined a group of students, educators and scientists from around the United States in a weeklong trip on Catalina Island – one of the eight Channel Islands off Southern California.

Since 1989, the JASON Argonaut program has provided hands-on, scientific field work to more than 1,000 students and educators worldwide, many of whom have gone on to pursue degrees and careers in science. Each year, JASON’s Argonaut program sends selected students and educators on one of several expedition opportunities to work directly with the world’s leading scientists and engineers. Past Argonauts have studied the rainforests in Peru, volcanoes in Hawaii, ecosystems in Florida, and much more.

Herrera and her students are now looking at water in a whole new way. They are studying it – and even recycling their unused, clean water after their science experiments into a homemade sifting bucket and pouring it into the earth to feed the Edwards Aquifer that surrounds their school.

Herrera’s students are true water conservationists – and Herrera is an impressive citizen scientist, equipped with real-world experience to teach her students these sustainability skills after her Argonaut experience.

Dell and JASON work together as part of Dell’s Youth Learning program. The partnership has provided free access to JASON’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning materials to students of the Greater Austin Area’s public schools – including digital labs, content and activities, to utilize in the classroom and on their own. Dell’s support also included the sponsorship of two Austin area Argonauts to enter this year’s Argonaut program.

Herrera was selected for one of these spots after submitting a personal essay, reference letters and a personal video profile as part of the application process. An enthusiasm for science is key in the selection process as well.

Herrera says she has always loved science. She credits her Argonaut experience for strengthening her appreciation for water.

“I was always conserving water, but I’ve come back from this trip in a whole new way,” she says. “My mind has been spinning on how important water is – globally and where we live. I’m talking to my students about what I’ve learned – like how ocean plant life produces more than half the world’s oxygen!”

The strong connection between people and the planet was a focus of Herrera’s Argonaut journey. This year’s Argonauts helped on a project named “Conserving Marine Life Along Catalina’s Coast,” in partnership with Earthwatch and hosted at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.

Catalina Island features stunning coastal scenery and nine Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – which function by setting boundaries that exclude extractive activities from occurring in special marine places, much like nature reserves on land. By doing so, they protect more than just one or two species, but all the important organisms and linkages within those ecosystems.

“We counted animal life and recorded our data into the online system. This was added to a global data bank and seeing that was remarkable,” Herrera says.

By documenting the daily activities and conditions of Catalina’s MPAs, Herrera and her fellow scientists helped gather critical information as part of a larger study on the influence of climate change on MPAs. The work by Herrera and her co-Argonauts will help scientists tell the story of the critical role that MPA’s play in coastal conservation and the health of our coasts amidst a changing planet. They hope their work will inspire policies to help safeguard our coastlines.

Back at home in Texas, water conservation is a hot topic for Herrera and her community as drought conditions worsen, and new water sources are scarce as the population grows.

Herrera believes hands-on learning prepares students for the real-world – and helps them understand the reality and urgency behind environmental challenges. She is grateful for how her three sons – ages 20, 17, and 14 – support her appetite for adventure and her passion for the environment.

“I’m trying to show my children and my students what you can achieve on your own,” she says.

Herrera recently completed a fellowship to study at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Coastal Systems Teacher Institute, and she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro after helping raise money and awareness for the need for clean water wells in Africa through the Austin-based charity Water to Thrive.

All Argonauts are encouraged to be peer role models for their students and teachers back home.

“There’s this pervasive belief that the only people allowed to ‘do science’ are the academic elite, and only after decades of study and degrees. Our Student and Teacher Argonauts show that everyone can contribute to the scientific process, and that it can be fun, engaging, and inspiring,” says Patrick Shea, executive vice president of JASON Learning.

Herrera will share her Argonaut experience with her students and their parents by inviting them to hear more about her trip and by building their own quadrats for her classroom. These are made of PVC piping and used to study a specific area out in the field. Once placed on the school grounds, students can monitor the racks and study environmental changes over time.

“Teaching is hard work and it helps in the payoff when you can consider the joy of teaching. I encourage other teachers to try for these opportunities and get out and experience things to avoid the burnout,” she says. “It means a lot to feel that you can teach something because you actually experienced it. I can say to my students, When I was with scientists I saw this! That is exciting to kids. This experience has helped me to recharge.”

Explore more information on the JASON Learning Argonaut program. Learn more about Dell’s Youth Learning program at dell.com/youthlearning.

Tweet me:Each year, @JASONLearning #Argonaut program sends selected #students and #educators on expeditions to work directly with the world’s leading #scientists and #engineers https://dell.to/2yKhXKp @Dell #YouthLearning

KEYWORDS: Dell, JASON Learning Teacher Argonaut, Water Conservation, marine life, Catalina Island, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), climate change

SOURCE:NRG Energy

DESCRIPTION:

In today’s global economy, virtually no organization is fully vertically integrated. This makes sustainability relevant across a company’s entire value chain. After setting an ambitious goal addressing downstream avoidance of customer greenhouse gas emissions, NRG is one of the first in its sector to include its supply chain as part of its sustainability commitments. This makes strong business sense because sustainable supply chains are inherently more efficient, transparent and resilient.

Organizations in other sectors that engaged their suppliers on sustainability invariably generated cost savings in the process. Our customers are extending their sustainability commitments to suppliers like us, and sectors are developing standards and frameworks for the sourcing and distribution of their products. Supply chain management and transparency is increasingly integral to business and sustainability strategy. Driving enhanced disclosures and accountability in our supply chain will help us reduce costs, mitigate risk, ensure business success and safeguard our reputation.

Goals and Performance

Last year, we announced three new sustainability goals for our supply chain in the areas of disclosure, impact reduction and responsible sourcing principles. We also established a multi-year strategy that focused on planning, implementation and continuous improvement over time. Our focus on planning in 2017 has revealed our largest supply chain impacts and opportunities, establishing a strategic foundation from which to drive significant progress going forward.

The bulk of our company’s supplier spend goes to fuels, goods and services required to operate and maintain our generation fleet, engineering and construction services, and administrative items. Our company does not have significant ownership positions in fossil fuel production or infrastructure, but we recognize the importance of engaging suppliers in these areas. Taken together, NRG’s supply chain efforts involving data disclosure, footprinting, risk assessment, and industry-wide action have formed a foundation from which to build on in 2018 and beyond. These efforts are supplementing our existing supply chain management activities.

Goal 1: Achieve GHG and water disclosures – from 80 percent of major suppliers by 2020

NRG has long participated in CDP’s Climate Change and Water Risk programs, voluntarily disclosing environmental information sought by investors. In 2017, we broadened our reporting efforts by becoming the first U.S. power producer to participate in the CDP Supply Chain Program. As part of this initiative, we encouraged more than 300 suppliers representing 90% of supply chain spend to disclose information about their climate change and water performance. We received climate change responses from 34% of requested suppliers and water responses from 22% of requested suppliers. We feel this first year’s effort puts us in great position to deliver on our 2020 disclosure target.

In our first year of participation, we earned an A-rating from CDP and a position on the Supplier Engagement Rating leader board. This leader board comprises companies from around the world that have been specifically recognized for their efforts to manage carbon emissions and address climate-related issues across their supply chains. Of the companies that participated in CDP’s supply chain program in 2017, NRG was among the 2% of companies in the U.S. awarded a place on the leader board and one of only two power producers.

By encouraging disclosure through CDP, NRG gained more insight into the environmental and social impact of its purchasing decisions. The process also encouraged NRG’s suppliers to improve sustainability data disclosure in competing for NRG’s business. 

Learn more about NRG's Goals in the 2017 Sustainability report here.

Tweet me:How NRG Keeps Its Supply Chain Sustainable http://bit.ly/2yOtoRn @nrgenergy #sustainablesupplychains #sustainability

KEYWORDS: NRG Energy, sustainable supply chains, energy efficiency

The Global Volunteerism Journey Report shares insights on family volunteer trends in Brazil, France, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, and United States

SOURCE:Points of Light

DESCRIPTION:

ATLANTA, October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, released the “Global Volunteerism Journey Report,” a first-of-its-kind study that examines the similarities and differences in family volunteering from five countries around the world. Underwritten by The Walt Disney Company, the study was commissioned to assess the global state of volunteerism and key barriers to overcome, identify solutions and opportunities to increase family volunteering, and understand the best ways to communicate opportunities.

Central to the research are five global truths – critical insights that shed light on how nonprofits can meet families where they are to engage them in meaningful volunteer work. These include:

1. Both adults and children spend their limited free time on activities that are low commitment and allow them to bond with others.
2. While benefitting the community is still a top priority, there is also a desire to personally benefit from the volunteer experience.
3. Promoting local volunteer opportunities could increase engagement, since more are willing to participate if the activity can be done in/around the home or school.
4. Word of mouth will help build awareness of volunteer activities and events. Messaging should include simple, direct language.
5. Adults, children, key subgroups and markets all have different motivators and barriers to family volunteering. A successful approach volunteer strategy will tailor to these groups.

“Our commitment to creating a civic culture starts by creating a deeper global understanding of what it means to volunteer as a family,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO, Points of Light. “This knowledge can help local nonprofits turn data into insights, becoming more equipped to meet people where they are, make volunteering fun and engaging for all, and inspire people to get involved in their community.”

Kelton, a strategic consultancy that helps global businesses discover new paths to growth, surveyed more than 2,900 participants from eight global markets. Participants ranged from age 5 to age 55+. Points of Light affiliates, nonprofit partners who are the leaders of volunteerism in their communities, advising on the design and development of the Global Volunteerism Journey Report include One OC, Chicago Cares, HandsOn Bay Area and Hands On Orlando, HandsOn HongKong, Hands On London, ATADOS (Brazil), and Benenova (France).

Additional key findings of the report highlight the impact and potential of volunteering as a family, both for a positive volunteer experience and family bonding time, as well as to create positive impact on community issues. Some of those highlights include:

• 47% of adults have said they volunteered, but only 34% said they have volunteered with family.
• 63% of adults said they felt fulfilled after volunteering, and 55% of children said they felt proud.
• Children are much more likely to volunteer with a parent (80%), while only 50% of adults said they have volunteered with their child.
• Only 1 in 4 recent volunteers encouraged their children to participate in volunteer events.
• Top barriers to volunteering included “not given the opportunity” and “hard to find opportunities.”

In an effort to put these helpful insights into practice, Points of Light is presenting this data at the International Association of Volunteer Effort’s 25th Annual World Volunteer Conference. Additionally, working with organizations around the world, including The Walt Disney Company, Points of Light will hold Family Volunteer Day on Nov. 17, 2018. Now in its 28th year, Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods. Leveraging the newly launched report and their institutional knowledge, Points of Light will be providing counsel and grants to nonprofits to organize their own local service projects. The grants, made possible by the generous support of The Walt Disney Company, will support the eight Points of Light Network affiliates, as well as 100 grantees nationwide.

To read the full research report, go to www.pointsoflight.org/youthandfamily. To assist with providing geography-specific insights, an e-book for each country drills further down to explore unique family volunteer trends and challenges in each individual country.

ABOUT POINTS OF LIGHT

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

Tweet me:.@PointsofLight releases global #familyvolunteering research findings, underwritten by The Walt Disney Company: http://bit.ly/2J4IE13

Contact Info:

Meghann Gibbons
Points of Light
mgibbons@pointsoflight.org

KEYWORDS: Points of Light, generationOn, The Walt Disney Company, family volunteering, Family Volunteer Day

American Forests and Epsilon Help Dorchester Add Trees, Fresh Fruits, Greens and Shade

SOURCE:Alliance Data

DESCRIPTION:

Washington, D.C., October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ — Volunteers from Boston’s Dorchester area will gather to plant fruit trees to complete the set-up for the new H.E.R.O. Nurturing Center Inc. Hope Garden (H.E.R.O. is for Hope, Empathy, Redemption, Oasis), on Geneva Avenue, October 25 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The former vacant lot will serve as a community garden, food forest and gathering space for the neighborhood.

Speak for the Trees Boston is a new nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the size and health of the tree canopy in the greater Boston area through local community projects, focusing on areas with low canopy coverage. The implementation of the H.E.R.O. Hope Garden on Geneva Avenue was initiated by Speak for the Trees and several local nonprofit groups, including Farmers Collaborative, Boston Food Forest, H.E.R.O. Nurturing Center and HomeHarvest. It is supported by national partner American Forests, which is also producing an interactive online Canopy Planner tool for the city. Funding from global marketing company Epsilon, an Alliance Data company based in Wakefield, Mass., and American Forests’ corporate partner, brought plans and efforts in Boston to fruition.

Boston is unusual among large cities for its lack of a regional urban forestry nonprofit. American Forests and Epsilon are working with Speak for the Trees to fulfill that role, champion regional efforts, advocate for better ordinances, build coalitions, and attract diverse funding to impove the city’s tree canopy.

The H.E.R.O. Hope Community Nurturing Garden will connect the community’s youth and adults to nature, while providing opportunities to grow and harvest fruit and vegetables and share them throughout the community. Green spaces in cities go beyond beautifying neighborhoods; they encourage people to engage in recreation that positively impacts stress, mental health and creativity. The trees will also contribute to a healthier environment by cleaning pollutants from the air, reducing flooding and water pollution, helping mitigate high temperatures, and sequestering carbon that would otherwise remain in the atmosphere.

Transformation of the space will help make headway on Boston’s tree canopy-coverage goal to reach 35% by 2030. In a recent assessment, Dorchester’s canopy coverage was quantified at 23%, and it was estimated that the coverage could be increased by an additional 19%.

###

American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country and has served as a catalyst for many key milestones in the conservation movement. Since 1990, American Forests has planted more than 60 million trees in all 50 states and 44 countries, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Speak for the Trees, Boston is a new non-profit focused on maintaining and sustaining a healthy and vibrant urban forest in the greater Boston area. Speak for the Trees is committed to supporting the vitality of the urban tree canopy in the greater Boston area, especially in areas with low canopy coverage. Their work focuses on community projects at the neighborhood level, engagement, educational outreach, and public advocacy. SFTT partners with community members, parallel organizations, and municipalities to build a healthier tree canopy for all.

Epsilon® is an all-encompassing global marketing innovator, providing unrivaled data intelligence and customer insights, world-class technology and data-driven creative, activation and execution. Epsilon’s digital media arm, Conversant®, is a leader in personalized digital advertising and insights through its proprietary technology and trove of consumer marketing data, delivering digital marketing with unprecedented scale, accuracy and reach through personalized media programs and through CJ Affiliate^TM, one of the world’s largest affiliate marketing networks. Together, we bring personalized marketing to consumers across offline and online channels, at moments of interest that help drive business growth for brands. An Alliance Data^® company, Epsilon employs over 8,000 associates in 70 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.epsilon.com and follow us on Twitter @EpsilonMktg.

Boston Food Forest Coalition is a non-profit community land trust that seeks to revive and conserve Boston's established legacy orchards, as well as create new edible food forest sites. Each site should reflect the cultural preferences of the surrounding community, functioning as an educational and recreational space, all while offering access to healthy food for those who need it most. BFFC connects urban youth and adults to nature for outdoor recreation, provides opportunities to grow and share food, and enables reflection about the importance of urban biodiversity and healthy eating habits.

Farmers Collaborative is actively engaged in expanding access to open green spaces and urban agriculture throughout Dorchester, Mattapan, and East Boston, including internationally in Jamaica, Haiti, and South Africa. They are petitioning the City of Boston to covert blighted parcels of lands into compact farms that promote urban agriculture activities, beautification, and shared community open space. Farmers Collaborative’s mission is to facilitate increased cooperation among farmers and farming enthusiasts and provide the tools to empower communities.

H.E.R.O. Nurturing Center, Inc. is a holistic non-profit created to support individual and group healing, wellness, mindfulness, and awareness. Started by Judith Foster in 2014, H.E.R.O. or “Healing, Empathy, Redemption, Oasis” uses innovative and dynamic programming to promote healthier lifestyles while connecting youth to nature and to the environment.

HomeHarvest, LLC is a specialist in regenerative edible landscaping. They are passionate about supporting food security in low-income neighborhoods, universal access to healthy food, education and involvement in care, and connecting people with nature and spreading the joy of harvesting. HomeHarvest donates fruit trees, materials, and resources to charitable projects, and are in the process of starting their own 501(c)(3).

MEDIA CONTACT

Lea Sloan | Vice President of Communications | 202.370.4509 (direct) |lsloan@americanforests.org

David Meshoulam | Exec. Director & Founder, Speak for the Trees| 608-852-4388|david@sfttbos.org

Tweet me:American Forests and Epsilon Help Dorchester Add Trees, Fresh Fruits, Greens and Shade http://bit.ly/2yRnHSr @AllianceData #sustainability #community

KEYWORDS: American Forests, Epsilon, Alliance Data, Boston Neighborhood, food-forest garden, sustainability

Sponsorship of trailer supports food bank’s transport of nutritious meals

SOURCE:Sysco

DESCRIPTION:

VERONA, Va., October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/— Sysco Virginia has made a major gift to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, committing at least $38,000 over two years to support food bank operations as part of their Nourishing Neighbors program.

Each year, the Food Bank provides more than 21 million meals to hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of partner food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, as well as several nutrition programs.

It takes a fleet of trailers, box trucks, a Mobile Food Pantry, and vans handled by full-time drivers to move 25 million pounds of food a year. The entire fleet travels approximately 260,000 miles per year throughout central and western Virginia.

As part of its Delivering Hope partnership opportunity launched in 2018, the Food Bank publicly recognizes select corporate donors in a unique way.

“We will celebrate our partnership with Sysco by displaying their logo on one of the refrigerated trailers in our fleet that travels our entire service area,” said Karen Ratzlaff, chief philanthropy officer.

Sysco has been a generous food donor for many years, having contributed more than 782,000 pounds of food in just the past three years. And this year, Sysco associates donated numerous volunteer hours to the Food Bank.

“As the world’s largest foodservice distributor, Sysco is committed to ending hunger and making healthy food available where it’s needed most,” said Dave Kraft, president, Sysco Virginia. “With our U.S.-wide Nourishing Neighbors program, 75 percent of donations go toward supporting organizations that help feed people. Sysco Virginia is proud to support the Blue Ridge Food Bank. Together we can make a significant impact in the fight against hunger.”

“Sysco has been an important ally in the Food Bank’s mission for years,” said Food Bank CEO Michael McKee. “We are grateful for Sysco’s gift allowing us to reach more hungry individuals and families in the Blue Ridge area.”

About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in western and central Virginia. Headquartered in Verona, VA, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and eight cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and Verona. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distributes nearly 25.3 million pounds of food annually to 106,000 people each month through a network of 200 community partners – food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, churches, and other non-profit groups. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national food bank association that supports 200 food banks across the United States. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.

About Sysco
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 67,000 associates, the company operates approximately 330 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 600,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2018 that ended June 30, 2018, the company generated sales of more than $58 billion. For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco.

Tweet me:.@SyscoVirginia makes commitment to the @BRAFB as part of their #NourishingNeighbors program http://bit.ly/2J4SrUT #DeliveringABetterTomorrow

Contact Info:

Abena Foreman-Trice
Communications Director
+1 (540) 213-8405
aforemantrice@brafb.org

Maria Longley
Communications Coordinator
+1 (540) 213-8425
mlongley@brafb.org

By Rachael Arthur

SOURCE:Bacardi Limited

DESCRIPTION:

In 2014 Bacardi set out a goal to reduce its packaging by 10%, but says that since then it’s learned that sustainability in packaging is about a lot more than weight.

Click here to read the full article

Tweet me:.@BacardiLimited on #sustainability in packaging: ‘We’ve learned a lot about the importance of addressing more than just weight’ http://bit.ly/2yl7d5K via @BeverageDaily #GoodSpirited

KEYWORDS: Bacardi, sustainable packaging, GHG emissions, good spirited

SOURCE:Mohawk Industries

DESCRIPTION:

Employees at Mohawk Industries recently took part in their company-wide Pink Out to rally in support of Susan G. Komen. The annual event is part of the flooring manufacturer’s annual observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and took place at the corporate headquarters in Calhoun, Ga. Each year, employees come together to learn more about the company’s corporate partnership with the organization and receive updates on the latest initiatives and monetary amounts donated back to Susan G. Komen since 2001.

Mohawk was named a 2017 “Rising Star” partner by the organization because it continues to strengthen its commitment to Susan G. Komen’s mission through the expansion of programs and exploration of new ways to engage. Mohawk’s fundraising programs — Decorate for the Cure (residential division) and Specify for a Cure (commercial and hospitality) — have donated nearly $6 million to date to Susan G. Komen, serving millions in more than 30 countries. Additionally, for the third year in a row, Mohawk provided SmartCushion pads to comfort walkers and crew members participating in the 3-Day walk series. The number of pads donated to help Cushion the Fight this year exceeded 7,000. Mohawk is proud to partner with Susan G. Komen in the fight and support their goal to reduce U.S. breast cancer deaths by 50% by 2026. 

Learn more about Mohawk’s commitment to ending the disease through its Decorate for the Cure and Specify for a Cure corporate donation programs.

Tweet me:Employees at Mohawk Industries HQ recently gathered for the annual company-wide Pink Out in support of @SusanGKomen for #breastcancerawareness month: http://bit.ly/2yPgzGx #mohawkgoespink

KEYWORDS: NYSE:MHK, Mohawk Industries, pink out, Susan G. Komen, SmartCushion, breast cancer, Specify for a Cure, Decorate for the Cure

SOURCE:AEG

DESCRIPTION:

LOS ANGELES, October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Innovating to meet the demand for graduate and undergraduate level educational offerings in the sports and entertainment industries, AEG and Pepperdine University are proud to debut a branded classroom within the iconic STAPLES Center, home to four professional sports franchises and more than 250 events a year.

“Pepperdine University is a world-class partner, and we’re proud to unveil the Pepperdine University classroom inside STAPLES Center,” said Dan Beckerman, president and CEO, AEG. “The classroom is a first-of-its-kind initiative for AEG. As we continue to grow our relationship, we also look forward to cultivating the next generation of sports and entertainment executives through this unique program we’ve created for students in partnership with Pepperdine.”

The classroom will also give Pepperdine, a top-ranked university, a strategic educational location in Los Angeles’ vibrant downtown business community. Students enrolled in sports and entertainment-focused programs will have the opportunity to use the classroom to gain hands-on experience through a series of courses and events, including an AEG "best-in-class" speaker series, as they are exposed to the inner workings of one of the world's most successful arenas.

“The partnership with Pepperdine University highlights one of the many ways STAPLES Center is leading in venue innovation,” said Lee Zeidman, president of STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater, and L.A. LIVE. “We’re proud to work alongside Pepperdine to create a classroom and offer a unique learning experience to future sports and entertainment executives in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and at the city’s center of sports and entertainment.”

Pepperdine’s academic programming is being designed to give students unprecedented access to the business acumen behind the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School launched an MBA concentration in entertainment, media, and sports management this fall, complementing the University’s popular undergraduate sport administration major and the LLM in entertainment, media, and sports law at the Pepperdine School of Law. The first-of-its-kind classroom, which has already been used as a location for class sessions, guest lectures, and alumni events, is slated to begin hosting regular academic programming in 2019.

“Pepperdine is proud to grow its presence in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and to offer world-class educational programs in sports and entertainment management,” said Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University. “As the exclusive education partner of STAPLES Center, L.A. LIVE, and the LA Kings, we look forward to providing our sports and entertainment students with a premier educational experience that will uniquely prepare them to shape the future of their industries.”

The classroom was designed by the Pepperdine University Department of Design and Construction and Integrated Marketing Communications in partnership with global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm HOK, constructed by Environmental Contracting Corporation, and features leading-edge technology by Toshiba. The multi-use space features seating for up to 30 students in an academic setting and has a capacity of 50 for events.

Photos from the classroom’s official debut to the public can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xd2v57i357u6p8k/AADpNHoJAs72ii6n22Fm6B9ka?dl=0

ABOUT AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 150 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.   

ABOUT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1937, Pepperdine University is an independent, Christian university located 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles in scenic Malibu, California. The University enrolls approximately 7,600 students across its flagship liberal arts school, Seaver College; the School of Law; the Graziadio Business School; the Graduate School of Education and Psychology; and the School of Public Policy. Pepperdine is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Follow Pepperdine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Kristi Mexia
Beck Media & Marketing for AEG Global Partnerships
kristi.mexia@beckmedia.com
(310) 300-4810

Alex Forero
Public Relations Manager for Pepperdine University
alex.forero@pepperdine.edu
(818) 702-1423

Tweet me:.@aegworldwide debuts a first-of-its-kind initiative in partnership with @pepperdine with the unveiling of @STAPLESCenter's first classroom and educational programming! http://bit.ly/2ypfeqt

KEYWORDS: AEG, STAPLES Center, Pepperdine University, Dan Beckerman, Lee Zeidman, Luc Robitaille

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

LONDON, October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ — Today, Bloomberg L.P. Chairman Peter T. Grauer signed an employer pledge with Time to Change, the growing social movement run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, which is changing how people across the UK are thinking and acting with regards to mental health problems. By signing, Bloomberg is committing to change the way we think and act around mental health in the workplace.

“With one in six British workers experiencing mental illness, it’s time for Bloomberg, a business at the heart of the City, to commit to change as we create a more mentally-healthy workplace,” said Grauer at the signing ceremony, which took place at Bloomberg’s new European headquarters in the City of London.

“Signing the Time to Change pledge affirms Bloomberg’s commitment to supporting our employees’ efforts to stay mentally healthy,” added Grauer. “Our efforts, in accordance with the principles set out by Time to Change, will raise awareness of mental health issues, highlight our extensive support systems and, most importantly, showcase the steps we can all take to help one another thrive in the workplace.”

Bloomberg joins the wide movement of more than 800 organisations that have signed the Time to Change pledge, including E.ON, British Gas, Ernst & Young, Transport for London, Royal Mail, Barclays, Shell, Pepsico, the Church of England, Sunday Mirror, Marks and Spencer, WH Smiths and many NHS trusts, universities, and local authorities.

Time to Change is funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund. Set up to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems, Time to Change supports communities, schools and workplaces to open up to mental health problems; to talk and to listen.

Tweet me:Bloomberg Joins UK Movement to Change How Workplaces Think and Act around Mental Health @bloomberg @timetochange http://bit.ly/2CTgLc5 #mentalhealthatwork

KEYWORDS: Bloomberg, petergrauer, bloomberglondon, timetochange, asktwice, employeeengagement

Leading U.S. consumer publication cites LG gram’s extra-long battery life, fast performance

SOURCE:LG Electronics USA, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

WASHINGTON, October 19, 2018 /3BL Media/ — Premium, high-performance 2018 LG gram^® laptops from ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year LG Electronics are ranked at the top of the charts in the ultrabook category across the 13-, 14- and 15-inch screens sizes by a leading U.S. consumer product publication.  

LG gram models 15Z980, 14Z980 and 13Z980, some of the lightest in the industry, scored high marks for delivering fast performance and an ultra-long battery life all in a lightweight and sleek design. ENERGY STAR certified LG gram laptops also are among the most energy efficient in the industry.

Critically acclaimed for being “shockingly light” with a “mind-blowing battery life,” the 2018 LG gram line-up continues to redefine the boundaries of portable computing with models designed for entrepreneurs and professionals seeking power and mobility. The 13-, 14- and 15-inch models weigh less than 2.4 pounds and feature a high-capacity 72Wh battery which allows longer work time without plugging in, lasting up to almost a full day on a single charge.² The compact design allows the LG gram’s smaller form factor to feature wider screens. The 14-inch model 14Z980 is the same size as a conventional 13-inch laptop but still offers a wider display with a minimized bezel.

ENERGY STAR certified LG gram computers are engineered with efficient power supplies for those long nights in the library, epic movie marathons and everything in between. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, depending on how it’s used, an ENERGY STAR computer uses about 60 percent less energy without sacrificing quality or performance.

Equipped with the latest 8th generation Intel^® Core^TM i7 and i5 processors and SSD storage, the 2018 LG gram devices are even more efficient and significantly faster. Users can boost work efficiency as high as 40 percent with booting time now under 10 seconds. Unlike other compact laptops that achieve lower weight or smaller size by minimizing interior space, LG’s gram series offers a second SSD drive slot for even more internal storage for large video files.

Despite the light-weight and sleek design, the LG gram is durable enough to use even in the most extreme environments, passing seven stringent U.S. military MIL-STD 810G durability tests for resistance to impact, pressure and temperature. This improved build quality is achieved by the Nano Carbon Magnesium full metal alloy body, often used in the aerospace industry where high strength and light weight are required. The result is an increase in durability by 20 percent compared to traditional magnesium products.

The new LG gram series features with a host of convenience-enhancing features. A user can work late into the night with the backlit keyboard, which also serves as delicate ambient lighting while highlighting the PC’s minimalist profile. The precision touchpad enhances fingertip control with a smoother and more accurate pointer system. The webcam is positioned on top of the display where it should be for flattering video calls.

The 2018 LG gram laptops also feature advanced optional features such as Touch Screen, Fingerprint Reader and Thunderbolt^TM 3. With LG’s new IPS In-cell Touch technology, the gram was able to maintain its compact size and the enhanced touch screen allows for more delicate, accurate onscreen haptic control without color shift when touching the display. The Fingerprint Reader enables users to log in and power on at the same time with the press of a single button. What’s more, Thunderbolt 3 allows for compatibility with Mac products, supports data transfer eight times faster than USB Type-C and enables seamless transmission of 4K/5K content to exterior displays.

For more information on LG gram series notebooks and updates on the 13-inch and 14-inch next generation models, visit http://www.lg.com/us/laptops.

# # #

¹  The 13.3- and 14-inch laptops (models 13Z980 and 14Z980) weigh just 2.12 and 2.19 pounds, respectively, while the largest 15.6-inch version (model 15Z950) weighs 2.4 pounds.

²  LG gram laptop batteries on the 13.3-, 14- and 15.6-inch models last up to 22.5, 21.5 and 19 hours, respectively, based on 2014 MobileMark® criteria.

“LG” and the LG logo are trademarks of LG Corp. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $55 billion global force and technology leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications. LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. LG is a 2018 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. www.LG.com.

Tweet me:.@EnergyStar certified @LGUS gram laptops rated as top performers for their #EnergyEfficiency http://bit.ly/2Ow4oIl

Contact Info:

John Taylor
LG Electronics USA
+1 (202) 719-3490
john.taylor@lge.com

KEYWORDS: KRX:066570, LG Electronics, LG gram, Energy Star

SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

Only 13 percent of engineers and 26 percent of computer scientists in the workforce are women, and over 32 percent of women switch out of STEM degree programs in college, according to research by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

SWE aims to improve these statistics, inspire current and future STEM professionals, and empower women engineers worldwide with its annual awards.  At this year’s WE18 Conference October 18-20 in Minneapolis, SWE named Booz Allen Senior Lead Technologist Theresa Wesley among its 2018 Emerging Leaders.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes women with 10 to 15 years of engineering experience who have demonstrated outstanding technical excellence and significant accomplishments. A maximum of only 10 awards are presented each year.

These honors are awarded to women “who have proven to be innovators and leaders in their local communities, the STEM community, and the future generation of STEM,” according to SWE. Women like Theresa who receive these awards “play an integral role in the advancement of women in engineering and technology around the world.”

Imagining your own career in STEM? See how Theresa got her start at summer camp and how it has shaped her life.

Q1: How did you get interested in STEM?

A: SpaceCamp! At the age of 14, I spent a week at SpaceCamp in Huntsville, Alabama hearing from rocket scientists about the dawn of the space age. Though I haven’t worked for NASA directly, I’ve spent almost 15 years living my childhood dream of working in the aerospace industry.

Q2. What has prepared you for working as an engineer?

A: I’ve been a member of SWE since graduating from college with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. It was through a SWE conference that I learned about engineering consulting, leading to my current position at Booz Allen.

Q3. What type of work do you do?

A: Today, I am a Systems Engineer Technical Advisor (SETA), providing independent technical expertise and making recommendations to clients across multiple subject areas. My extensive subject matter expertise in assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of complex systems enables me to work across multiple programmatic areas.  Additionally, I am Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified, which further hones my ability to lead multifaceted engineering teams.

Q4. When you are not working, what are your other passions?

A: I’ve been a leader in the company’s Women in Engineering and Science organization, empowering women in engineering, providing educational opportunities, and promoting retention. I continue to mentor young women, both personally and professionally. I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, plus, I also volunteer at their schools and for special events at my church.

Want to learn more about Booz Allen’s commitment to advancing women like Theresa Wesley in STEM careers? Visit: https://www.boozallen.com/e/insight/thought-leadership/attracting-more-women-to-stem-careers.html

Tweet me: .@BoozAllen’s Theresa Wesley honored as an Emerging Leader in #engineering and #STEM by @SWEtalk! http://bit.ly/2J7laIx

KEYWORDS: Society of Women Engineers, Booz Allen Hamilton, engineering, Careers

SOURCE:University of Michigan: Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability

DESCRIPTION:

On August 24, 2018, Andrew J. Hoffman, the Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan, delivered the Convocation Address at Loyola University Chicago to 3,250 students and 250 faculty members.

“First-Year Text” is an initiative that Loyola University instituted in 2006, in which all of Loyola’s first-year students read the same book over the summer. The book chosen for the 2018 First-Year Text is Finding Purpose: Environmental Stewardship as a Personal Calling, by Hoffman. In this book, Hoffman “invites us to look beyond material growth and explore the role of the individual and business in discovering a wider purpose to bring about a balanced and sustainable society,” according to the publisher’s description.

At his Convocation Address, he invited students to explore their quest to find their own personal purpose:

“If there’s nothing else you remember from what I’m going to tell you today, I’d like you to remember this quote from Mark Twain – ‘The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.’ You had nothing to do with that first day. Your parents made that decision for you. You have everything to do with that second day. It is your task, it is your job, it is your quest to find out that reason why you were born. That’s what you are here to do.

To begin your quest, I’d like you to recalibrate a question you were asked when you were very young – ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I want to tell you here today that that’s the wrong question. The question should be – ‘What were you meant to be when you grow up?'”

Watch the entire Convocation Address above, or click here to watch on YouTube.

Tweet me:"What are you meant to be when you grow up?” - @HoffmanAndy delivers 2018 convocation address at @LoyolaChicago. Watch here: http://bit.ly/2J7JD0u #erbinstitute #environmentalstewardship #sustainability

KEYWORDS: Erb Institute, university of michigan, Loyola University, Chicago, Andy Hoffman, sustainability, Leadership, Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Business, convocation address

SOURCE:Cisco Systems Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

This post was guest written by Pauline Vogl, Project Manager, Sustainable Business Practices at Cisco.

The leaves on the trees may no longer be green, but Cisco employees are! Despite the changing of the seasons, employees across Cisco spent last week participating in local, environmentally-friendly activities to reduce their carbon footprints.

While we recently highlighted some of our workplace sustainability accomplishments and annually celebrate Earth Aware, the global activities in early October were our first in recognition of Green Week.  We, along with other large companies across various industries, took the opportunity to remind employees of the ways they can be environmentally conscious in their daily lives.

Throughout the week, we encouraged our employees to think green by participating in fun, interactive activities, including:

• An “Energy and the Circular Economy” webinar, hosted by Cisco’s Supply Chain Transformation team.
• Gardening, building, and volunteering in San Jose at the Cisco Community Garden.
• A “Pedal and Picnic” event encouraging cyclists at our San Jose campus to bike to work and enjoy a locally-sourced lunch.
• The chance to meet with Cisco’s sustainability teams and resource organizations at a Sustainability Fair in San Jose.

Cisco cafeterias advertised their sustainable offerings, and we asked employees to share their experiences by posting their stories or pictures on social media using the #GreenWeekOct18 and #WeAreCisco hashtags.

At the end of the week, we selected one sustainability-minded employee who shared their story to win a prize. Our winner was Atri Indiresan, who participated in our Pedal and Picnic in San Jose and shared it via Twitter! Congratulations Atri! We will be sending him a Cisco tote bag full of sustainable goodies.

Read more about our workplace sustainability today, and be sure to follow @CiscoCSR on Twitter for even more corporate social responsibility updates.

Tweet me:Employees across @Cisco spent last week participating in local, environmentally-friendly activities to reduce their #carbonfootprints. http://bit.ly/2yrZLpo @CiscoCSR

KEYWORDS: Cisco, green week