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Sodexo’s “Vermont First” Commitments Bearing Fruit as Local Product Purchases See a Significant Increase

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Vermont Agriculture Secretary Hails Program’s Positive Impact on State’s Agricultural Economy

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

December 23, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Just over a year ago, Sodexo, a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and food service operations with a significant presence in Vermont, announced a major initiative to help grow Vermont’s local food economy by committing to buy local food first via a comprehensive program called “Vermont First”. Sodexo, whose clients include universities, hospitals, schools and nursing homes, serves about 35,000 meals per day in the state with $3 million spent on locally sourced products.

Under the “Vermont First” program, Sodexo works with farmers, distributors, processors, state government, non-profits and supply chain players within the farm to table economy to increase the amount of local food grown and sold in the state and beyond, contributing to growing Vermont’s economy. 

Sodexo has already completed many of the commitments it pledged to at the launch announcement, including developing a plan to meet the production needs of Vermont farmers and creating a steering committee of Vermont stakeholders to discuss issues of procurement, marketing and meeting cutover demand.

Fulfilling another commitment, Sodexo hired Annie Rowell, who serves as a local food coordinator to broker relationships with growers wanting to meet the institutional market demand and tracking  progress and growth in local food procurement. According to Rowell, “The approach to purchase local is less of a trend and more of a shift nationally, particularly for Sodexo which, as a service company, is very demand driven.”  She cites that 42% of its clients now have local/sustainable purchasing targets. The company spent $200 million on local food nationally in 2014, supporting over 200,000 farms.

On December 2, Sodexo hosted the “Vermont First” Stakeholder Forum that focused on procurement and scaling up with presentations and panel discussions by industry leaders and professionals in the areas of produce, dairy, meat, and grocery. At the forum, Vermont Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross shared that 4,100 new jobs were created about 655 new food related businesses were added to the Vermont food System from 2009 to 2014. With Sodexo’s strategy, he expects a boost to those numbers.  “Sodexo saw an opportunity for them, not only to learn how to source locally and do it well, but also to commit to Vermont,” explained Ross.  “This is a model that can be replicated throughout the country and I'm thrilled that Sodexo is leading the way,” added Ross.

Participating in the Forum were local food producers and distributors who currently supply Sodexo and many that would like to enter the company’s supply chain.   Judy Adams, a commercial poultry vendor from Adams Family Farm believes the Sodexo team was open, easy to understand, and easy to approach with questions. “We now know that the Sodexo and supply chain representatives that attended the forum are the contacts we need to work with in order to see our products on the menu on campuses.” Sean Buchanan of Black River Produce expressed support for the “Vermont First” program, “Sodexo really puts their money where their mouth is. When Sodexo makes a commitment to doing something, they’re going to do it.  Producers have seen success not only at the wholesale level, but have seen that translate to retail sales as well.”

About Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc., the leading Quality-of-Life services provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc. is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md. and funds all administrative costs for the independent and charitable Sodexo Foundation – granting more than $25 million since 1999 to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at SodexoInsights.com. Visit Sodexo on Facebook and follow on Twitter @SodexoUSA.

Tweet me:.@SodexoUSA Vermont First commitments bearing fruit with $3 million in local product purchases http://3bl.me/z8gr9w

Contact Info:

Enrico Dinges
Sodexo
+1 (301) 987-4393
enrico.dinges@sodexo.com

KEYWORDS: Ethical Production and Consumption, Business & Trade, Sodexo


Norfolk Southern Helps Capital Region Toys for Tots

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SOURCE:Norfolk Southern Corporation

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Take a virtual ride on the Capital Region Toys for Tots (TFT) train that rolled through New York on December 5-6, 2015. Norfolk Southern was proud to team up with TFT, the U.S. Marines and AMTRAK for this event.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern's CSR initiatives here.

Tweet me:Take a virtual ride w/ the #CapitalRegion @ToysForTots_USA http://3bl.me/xvn9v3 @NSCorp @Amtrak @USMC https://youtu.be/CKxY5l3A15o

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, norfolk southern, USMC, Amtrak, Toys for Tots, Capital Region

CBRE Hong Kong Charity in Motion 2015

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SOURCE:CBRE Group, Inc.

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CBRE is committed to fulfilling its role as a responsible corporate citizen by supporting and adding value to the communities in which our employees live and work. This video showcases a portion of our Hong Kong activities in 2015, which raised HK$1.3 million in total.

See this and other CBRE videos on YouTube.

Tweet me:How much has @CBRE #HongKong raised for #charity in 2015? Find out here http://3bl.me/42dys5 @CBRECares

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Business & Trade, CBRE

Republic Services Holiday Recycling

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Less stuff and more cheer! Tips for reducing, reusing and recycling with holiday cheer!

SOURCE:Republic Services

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the average American household throws away nearly 125 pounds of trash per week. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, Americans discard 25 percent more trash than normal, or approximately 940 pounds of waste. Roughly 80 percent of what is discarded during the holidays could be recycled or reused.

Republic Services encourages families to make recycling a part of their holiday tradition. It’s a simple way to make a positive difference in the local environment by diverting items that can be recycled. It can also potentially save your family money by identifying items that can be reused in creative ways.

Click here to learn more and connect with Republic Services on Facebook!

Tweet me:.@RepublicService encourages families to make recycling a part of their holiday tradition. Learn more: http://3bl.me/rsd4ep

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change

Holiday Recycling Tips!

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SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

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Keep America Beautiful hopes you are heading into the holiday season with lots of good cheer!

You can make a personal difference this holiday by taking small actions in your everyday life that can reduce waste – and your carbon footprint. Since it’s the season of giving, Keep America Beautiful is sharing some eco-friendly tips that you, too, can share with family and friends to lessen our environmental impact.

We hope that you continue take the opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle throughout the holidays and into 2016 with your friends at Keep America Beautiful!

Tweet me:Make a difference this #holiday season with these #recycling tips from #KeepAmericaBeautiful http://3bl.me/m894hs

Contact Info:

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

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

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change, Education, Keep America Beautiful, Recycling, Holiday Tips

Timberland’s Giving Tree Brightens New Hampshire’s Holiday Season

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SOURCE:Timberland

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On November 5, Timberland had their second annual “Craftstock” event, where twenty-five Timberland employees used their service hours to make no-sew pillows and blankets to donate to those in need. This year, the employees also made 125 gift tags for the company’s giving tree, which was set up in the Stratham, New Hampshire office in early December. Employees could choose a tag to purchase a holiday gift for people in need supported by the following local organizations:

  • HAVEN is dedicated to addressing public health through violence prevention and improving the well-being of children and families. Preventing sexual abuse and providing support for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence can lead to healthier and more secure children and adults.
  • Great Bay Services offers many opportunities for personal growth through programming promoted to increase awareness and skill levels in Health and Life skills, the Arts, Volunteerism, Career Development, Technology, Community Integration and Residential Services.
  • Seacoast Adopt-A-Block has worked to build meaningful relationships within the Portsmouth-Seacoast Community.  Seacoast Adopt-a-block serves the elderly, the widowed, the disabled, and those who cannot help themselves.
  • Wentworth Home provides assisted retirement living and offer three levels of care that are specifically tailored to individual needs with the ability to transition from Independent, Assisted, and Added Care Services

On December 17, Timberland hosted a gift-wrapping party to wrap all the gifts in-house. The following day, eight Timberland employee volunteers delivered the donated gifts to the New Hampshire organizations listed on the holiday giving tree, spreading holiday cheer in the local community.

Tweet me:.@Timberland's employees crafted a unique holiday project to help their community http://3bl.me/xyra85

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Business & Trade, Timberland, New Hampshire, HAVEN, Great Bay Services, Seacoast Adopt-a-block, Wentworth Home

 

Native Species for an Indigenous City

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RSF Social Finance Seed Fund Grantee Highlight

SOURCE:RSF Social Finance

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Arc of Greater New Orleans has evolved much since its inception in 1953. Today, the organization is a culmination of decades of work by devoted individuals whose ultimate goal is to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into their communities. Arc serves some 900 children, adults and their families in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes by providing various services such as child care, family service coordination, and supported living assistance. Arc received a $2,000 grant from the RSF Social Finance's Seed Fund in 2015 to support its efforts in starting a native Louisiana plant nursery.

What distinguishes Arc from others doing similar work in the area are the social enterprises and non-profits it manages, which enable the organization to employ people with disabilities. The Vintage Garden Farms is but one of six operations overseen by Arc. In this post, Richard Waller, a horticulture specialist with the farm, graciously provided RSF with the following insights into his group’s work.

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in the City of New Orleans, The Vintage Garden Farms is a non-profit running an environmentally responsible small-scale farm that employs twelve individuals with developmental disabilities. Our mission aims for both social and ecological benefits, and we take our job of growing flowers and food as a sacred task.

We began our small nursery with species that were easier to grow and readily appreciated. We’ve chosen plant varieties that provide tangible benefits to the local fauna. For example, the American Beauty Berry provides food for 10 species of birds. The durable and graceful Button Bush is another specimen, which attracts butterflies, humming birds, and honey-making bees.

Caring for indigenous species can be the beginning of a tangible education. The knowledge gained through this experience leads to an informed appreciation for the unique cultural and natural history of this Deep South estuary. For those of us at The Vintage Garden Farms, we see this new understanding as crucial to becoming a responsible member of our ecosphere.

For over 60 years, our parent organization, Arc of Greater New Orleans, has supported the families of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by creating a supportive, dignified work environment that has benefited hundreds of individuals. Through our work on the farm, we continue this tradition.

We invite you to come see our farm and nursery when you’re in New Orleans. Visitors and volunteers, with a little notice, are always welcome. You can also find us on Facebook at ‘The Vintage Garden Farm‘.

Tweet me:Learn about the work of Vintage Garden Farms in New Orleans (@RSFSocFinance Seed Fund Grantee) http://bit.ly/1QJbN1Q

Contact Info:

Megan Mendenhall
RSF Social Finance
megan.mendenhall@rsfsocialfinance.org

KEYWORDS: Ethical Production and Consumption, Education, RSF Social Finance, Vintage Garden Farms, Seed Fund, Arc of Greater New Orleans

 

#NotMyType Recap: Exploring How We Talk about Diabetes with Novo Nordisk

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Don’t Miss the Details of this LIVE Chat Debunking Myths About Diabetes

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Read the #NotMyType media release
Read the Storify archive

On December 9th, the Novo Nordisk team and bloggers, Kelly Close and Phyllisa Deroze, joined us to discuss how we talk about diabetes. As the chat kicked off, our panelists and audience dove right into the conversation – sharing their own stories and experiences and pointing out commonalities. First, let’s meet the #NotMyType panelists:

#NotMyType Kelly Close here! Founder of #diabetes braintrust Close Concerns + patient education & advocacy nonprofit @diaTribeNews - @kellyclose (tweet)

Speaking on behalf of @NovoNordisk is Camilla Krogh Lauritzen, who heads up its R&D Patient Partnering unit #NotMyType - @3BLMedia (tweet)

hey @Doc__P ... this was an amazing video to get to know you EVEN better - thank you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Gy5wvQS7dzE&app=desktop … #NotMyType Psyched 2chat soon  - @kellyclose (tweet)

As soon as the first #NotMyType tweets started streaming – our panelists were greeted by dozens of attendees who were ready to tackle the topic by sharing their stories and experiences. To get the group warmed up, we asked, “What kinds of misunderstanding have you experiences when you tell people that you have diabetes? #NotMyType”

A2: #NotMyType "You don't look like you have #diabetes" - @kellyclose (tweet)

A2: #NotMyType Misunderstanding = juices&berries can cure diabetes - @Doc__P (tweet)

Q2:  Diabetes?  Then you can't eat that!! #notmytype - @KarenBittrSweet (tweet)

#NotMyType-Q2-Where do I begin? "Can you eat that?""Is that a pager?""You're too young or not fat enough""it's your fault" - @mindy_bartleson (tweet)

A2: As a type 2, one that I hear a lot is that the need for insulin means one has failed at managing diabetes.  Which is bogus. #notmytype - @mydiabeticheart (tweet)

Q2: Also, "my (insert random relative) had diabetes and (insert horrible thing here).  But they didn't take care of themself" #notmytype - @KarenBittrSweet (tweet)

An important part of the #NotMyType chat was busting the myths about diabetes and discussing the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

I'd rather people get the #diabetes facts right instead of repeating D myths. And by "people" I mean the public and the media #notmytype - @diabetesalish (tweet)

@3BLMedia Thx, @ work now but my  D myth-buster is: Your #diabetes is not my diabetes which is not your grandma's cat's diabetes #NotMyType - @verylightnosuga (tweet)

Makes me think of writing to the MythBusters show and have them do a show or 5 on #diabetes. - @diabetesalish (tweet)

A3: Clinically, #t1d & #t2d are v different + usually require different treatments, so differentiation medically is key #NotMyType - @kellyclose (tweet)

#NotMyType Q3- anddddd. I wish the diabetes community wasn't so divided and pointing fingers. United we stand, divided we fall- right? - @mindy_bartleson (tweet)

A3: #NotMyType After a certain point, it's not that important 2 me to distinguish. Because all Types need a cure - @Doc__P (tweet)

Type 1 or 2: This type of #diabetes is a consequence of individuals not taking ownership of their health #NotMyType [NEITHER - it's a MYTH!] -  @CSRwire (tweet)

And the chat also left some time to discuss how we all can improve the way we talk about diabetes:

A8b: Call us people w/ #diabetes, not always "patients" #NotMyType - @kellyclose (tweet)

#NotMyType Q8- with healthcare providers, pharmacies, and insurance. Let's have a conversation together. Please don't talk at me. - @mindy_bartleson (tweet)

Q8: Don't generalize "If you have diabetes, you worry about such & such" Don't assume you know what I worry about or struggle w/ #notmytype - @KarenBittrSweet (tweet)

#NotMyType Q9- DOs- be respectful. Ask questions. DON'Ts- judge. Make jokes. - @mindy_bartleson (tweet)

A9: Don't allow diabetes to be the only thing you talk about. There's more to life than that. #notmytype - @mydiabeticheart (tweet)

Please be sure to explore the Storify archive to catch all of the tweets from #NotMyType! Many thanks to the Novo Nordisk team and bloggers, Kelly Close and Phyllisa Deroze!

Tweet me:#NotMyType Recap http://3bl.me/ww3zn6 All of the don’t-miss details w/ @NovoNordisk @kellyclose & @Doc__P debunking myths about #diabetes

KEYWORDS: Events, Conferences & Webinars, #NotMyType, Novo Nordisk, diabetes

  


Booz Allen Employees Honor Fallen Vets

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SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

On December 11 and 12, over 100 Booz Allen employees participated in wreath laying ceremonies at 7 veteran cemeteries across the mid-Atlantic region, part of Wreaths Across America’s effort to honor our nation’s fallen servicemen and women during the holiday season.

Through a mix of corporate grants and employee fundraising, Booz Allen supported wreath laying ceremonies at 7 sites nationwide, including large contingents at Arlington National Cemetery and Annapolis National Cemetery.

Wreaths Across America’s mission, “Remember, Honor, Teach,” is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.  The non-profit also coordinates a week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia.

As a company, Booz Allen Hamilton makes it our mission to solve our client’s toughest challenges. We also apply our experience and expertise to making a difference in our communities. The spirit of service is embedded in our culture, and Booz Allen employees are passionate about giving back. When we sign on to help ease some of the burdens in our communities, we’re helping our neighbors, our employees, and working to create a better environment for all of us. Learn more about Booz Allen’s spirit of service.  

Tweet me:100+ @BoozAllen Employees Join @WreathsAcross to honor fallen #veterans #BoozAllenCares http://3bl.me/893cg8

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Booz Allen Hamilton, Wreaths Across America, Veterans, holiday

China Fuels Global Advances in Financial Access

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By The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)

SOURCE:MetLife Inc.

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Presented by MetLife Foundation in collaboration with WSJ. Custom Studios, Multipliers of Prosperity takes a look globally at the challenges we face in confronting the issues of financial inclusion. The program dives deep into what’s working, questions what isn’t and finds the possible fixes. Most importantly, the program chronicles the triumphs of people who have taken the steps toward financial stability and the providers who have helped them reach those goals. We explore how financial stability is created, the kind of finance models that have succeeded, and innovative new channels and technology that make for smart solutions.

A new World Bank study underscores China’s role as a key driver for improved financial access worldwide, especially among low-income and rural populations.

The Bank’s latest Global Findex found that the number of unbanked adults worldwide dropped from 2.5 billion to 2 billion between 2011 and 2014—with China accounting for 180 million of these new account holders. Nearly eight in 10 adults (79 percent) in China now have a bank account, a 15 percent rise from the 2011 Findex. China is also quickly closing the gap with high-income countries—members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in particular—where 94 percent of adults have bank accounts compared with 53 percent in developing countries.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Tweet me:China's improved standing in financial access @MetLife Foundation's Multipliers of Prosperity http://3bl.me/grf4bb #FinancialInclusion

KEYWORDS: Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, China, Financial Inclusion, MetLife

How to Create Board-level Volunteering Opportunities

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SOURCE:Ethical Performance

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There is a lot of wall painting and tree planting going on in employer supported volunteering. This is good for team building, for immediate (and visual!) impact. It is not so good if a lasting effect, or dare we say sustainability, is the aim. Plus, there are only so many walls to paint and so many trees to plant. We hear time and again from charities desperately trying to divert corporate partners from their interest in this type of one-off activity when what they’re really crying out for is more skills-based volunteering. What if only 5% of staff at large corporate organisations were to volunteer their skills to help charities run themselves better? What if charities got better at business development and strategic planning as a result of the support they received? How much more income could they generate and how many more beneficiaries could they help?

Continue reading full article from Best Practice

Tweet me:.@NCVO's #volunteering programme trains & places skilled professionals on charity boards http://bit.ly/1Yy9mDQ via @ethicalp #development

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Business & Trade, Ethical performance, Best Practice, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Step on Board, professional development

Saudi Arabian Women Finally Have the Right to Vote and to Be Elected to Office

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by Sangeeta Haindl

SOURCE:Justmeans

DESCRIPTION:

At least 17 women were elected to public office in Saudi Arabia on 12 December 2015, making these elections truly historic, because it marked the first time women in the country were allowed to vote and to run for office. The female winners for the municipal council includes Salma al-Oteibi in the Mecca region, Lama al-Suleiman and Rasha Hufaithi in Jeddah, Hanouf al-Hazimi in Al Jouf province, and Sanaa al-Hammam and Masoumah Abdelreda in the Ahsa region.

Despite the new rights extended to women, critics have said restrictions made it hard on women who wanted to run for office and vote. Women complained of difficulties proving identity and residency, and there were a limited number of registration centers, according to Human Rights Watch.

To continue reading, click here

Photo CreditTribes of The World on Flickr

Sangeeta Haindl writes on women and children; social innovation; social enterprise and social entrepreneurs. She is the founder of Serendipity PR, in London, U.K., where she works with high-profile brands and organizations in the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, winning awards for her work from the communications industry. She is chairman of and director of London's leading conscious well-being organisation, Alternatives, which hosts leading speakers such as Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch and many other well-known names. She describes herself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur, Conscious Explorer; enjoying helping others, paying it forward and being a mum.

Tweet me:The role of #women in Saudi Arabia has slowly been evolving http://bit.ly/1O4quKB @SangeetaHaindl shares the progress via @Justmeans

KEYWORDS: Education, Saudi Arabia, women, elections, King Abdullah, Rasha Hefzi, Voting, Human Rights Watch, Justmeans

Millennials are Embracing Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns

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by Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of EcoMedia

SOURCE:EcoMedia

DESCRIPTION:

Four Ways Marketers Can Create Smarter CSR Efforts

They may be the "selfie generation," but millennials are also focused on creating social change. Their eagerness to make an impact on the world is a hallmark of youth, but millennials are expressing their values in a new way -- by choosing to support brands with strong corporate social responsibility initiatives.

A recent survey from insurer Aflac illustrates just how important CSR is to the younger generation. Two-thirds of millennials surveyed responded that they are likely to invest in a company well-known for its corporate social responsibility program, compared with less than half of adults over 34. And according to a study by Horizon Media's Finger on the Pulse, some 81% of millennials expect companies to make a public commitment to good corporate citizenship.

Click here to continue reading on AdAge

Tweet me:.@PaulPolizzotto @adage article encourages marketers to use CSR campaigns to build relationships w/ millennials. http://3bl.me/kkgpef

KEYWORDS: Media & Communications, Business & Trade, Paul Polizzotto, CBS EcoMedia, AdAge

Bloomberg Philanthopies: Using Data and Innovation in Los Angeles

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SOURCE:Bloomberg

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Innovation teams (i-teams) are in-house innovation consultants who use the tested Innovation Delivery approach to help mayors and other partners solve cities’ biggest challenges. We have invested in more than a dozen i-teams around the world, and recently caught up with the Los Angeles i-team to share their story. They are rethinking neighborhood revitalization and testing ways to make neighborhoods inclusive even as they change.

L.A.’s i-team director Amanda Daflos reflects on this challenge below. She discusses how the i-team is learning from successes and failures, and how they are contributing to a renaissance in the city, harnessing data, innovation, and collaboration to benefit city residents.

Why did your city apply to the i-team program?

We have a very special opportunity before us in the City of Los Angeles. In many senses, we are in the midst of a renaissance. There are opportunities to advance the way that residents interact with the city and each other, through improving neighborhood spaces and the way city services are delivered systemically.

At the same time, there is leadership throughout the city and county who envision these types of changes and have the excitement, skills and experience to make these ideas a reality, in partnership with each other and our communities. This grant aligns with the city’s desire to innovate and use data to inform decisions and drive results.

How do you think about innovation – what does the word mean to you?

I think of innovation as a moment in time where we get to be creative, where we get to collaborate, where we get to draw upon the smartest people to develop and advance small ideas into big ideas that deliver results and change the way we think about a problem. I think of innovation as taking the idea you get in the shower to the next level; to a group of smart people to design it, mature it, test it, break it down and develop it into something that can be a real, live thing that drives outcomes and changes perceptions.
 

What are some specific challenges your city is currently facing?

The first area we are focused on in L.A. is inclusive neighborhood revitalization. We are focused on this issue because, like many cities, we are constantly changing and rich with talent and opportunity. With four million people in 468 square miles, we are also big and vast, both in terms of geography and diversity of culture and thought. We are seeking new ways to be inclusive as we change and, as we make investments in our city, create avenues to engage communities to further inform our plans and choices.

What are some specific opportunities you see to improve your city?

There is a lot to be excited about in L.A.! I’m excited about the opportunity our team has to use data to inform decisions and shape service delivery. I’m also excited to use creative tools to reach Angelenos and share important information and get feedback about the things we’re doing to improve the lives of people who live here.

What has been the biggest surprise so far during the process?

We’ve enjoyed the process here in L.A. We are a big city, so it has been incredibly meaningful for us to engage with partners across departments as well as the many incredible non-governmental organizations and residents who live and work here in Los Angeles, giving us a 360 degree point of view on inclusive neighborhood revitalization.

I think I’ve been most surprised by the evolution of our topic which is a reflection of the detailed research we’ve done and deep stakeholder engagement we’ve prioritized. When I look back to the beginning of our work, we’ve progressed our thinking significantly on the topic. And when I pause to think about it, I’m surprised and pleased at how we’ve been able to break a very big question down into a few parts and examine those parts deeply, offering an advanced vocabulary and way of talking about a topic that can be complex and difficult to navigate.

Tweet me:.@bloombergdotorg #innovationteams http://3bl.me/bcabkq Using data and innovation in Los Angeles

KEYWORDS: Education, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Innovation, labs, cities, learning, Los Angeles, LA, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bloomburg

 

Avista Supports Communities Through Seasonal Donations

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Total giving for 2015 tops $2.7 million

SOURCE:Avista Utilities

DESCRIPTION:

December 24, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Avista Corp. and the Avista Foundation announced 2015 seasonal giving totaling $505,000 to non-profit organizations in the company’s service territories in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska. The funds will help support programs, including food banks, energy assistance, shelter and clothing, and holiday meals. The total value of Avista’s grants and donations for 2015 is more than $2.7 million from both corporate and foundation sources.

“At this time of year, the needs are greatest for food, heat and a way for some families to celebrate the holidays. This year, in particular, with the windstorm that caused so much destruction and inconvenience, it’s important that we step up to provide assistance to those community organizations that help individuals and families most in need,” said Scott Morris, chairman, president and CEO of Avista Corp.

“Our employees and our company have a legacy of community support that dates back to the founding of our company in 1889. We invest substantially in our communities because we care about those who live in the places we all call home. It’s simply the right thing for us to do.”

Read about the organizations receiving donations and the full news release ow.ly/WcN6d

Tweet me:.@avistautilities makes seasonal donation; total giving for 2015 tops $2.7 million http://3bl.me/c3hz2c

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Giving, csr, community, Corporate Citizenship, partner, Avista Utilities

 


Best Practice - Winter 2015

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A collection of exemplary CR and sustainability case studies

SOURCE:Ethical Performance

DESCRIPTION:

The Winter 2015 issue of Best Practice includes CSR and sustainability case studies from thought leaders across several industries:

  • Acquiring a Taste for the Circular Economy
    Finnish retail giant Kesko has come up with a novel approach to the inevitable problem of supermarket food waste: turning it into zero emissions energy which in turn is used to manufacture the food sold on its supermarket shelves.
  • Working in Partnership to Make a Real Difference
    Sky Rainforest Rescue has been a unique, challenging and ambitious project for a entertainment company striving to make a difference to the enormous issue of climate change. Why did Sky think it could take on such a challenge? And just how successful has it been?
  • Reaping the Rewards of Supporting Dairy Farmers
    Last year 8.3bn Tetra Pak packages with milk and nutritious drinks reached children in schools worldwide. As a key player in the dairy value chain, a concept called Dairy Hub, developed by Tetra Pak, is now taking its industry support to a whole new level.
  • Matching CSR Programmes with Business Goals
    Booz Allen, a global consulting firm, is innovating not only for clients, but also for its CSR programmes – aligning business with social conscience.
  • Raising the Bar for Community Impact
    One of the world’s fastest growing petrochemical companies, SABIC puts employee engagement at the top of its CSR agenda.

For more information on how your organization can be featured in an upcoming issue of Best Practice, click here. 

For previous issues of Best Practice, click here.

Tweet me:The Winter Issue of Best Practice is out now http://3bl.me/nxq28c via @ethicalP #CSR

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, Ethical performance, Best Practice

Carnival Cruise Line Builds World’s Largest Cruise Ship Made of Canned Food at Monday’s New Orleans Saints Game

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SOURCE:Carnival Corporation & plc

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December 24, 2015 /3BL Media/ - Carnival Cruise Line capped off a Holiday Food & Fund drive in New Orleans benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank by constructing the world’s largest cruise ship made of canned food which was displayed on Monday night at the New Orleans Saints game.

Carnival is the “Official Cruise Line of the New Orleans Saints” and the 30-foot-long cruise ship built from more than 17,000 cans of food was the culmination of a Holiday Food & Fund drive involving New Orleans-area schools that was sponsored by Carnival and the NFL franchise.

The can structure was built in consultation with the New Orleans chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and required more than 100 volunteers who expertly positioned the cans – one at a time – to create a reproduction of a Carnival cruise ship featuring such design elements as the line’s signature winged funnel, running lights and more.

Both Carnival and the New Orleans Saints provided incentives to students in New Orleans-area schools to participate in the food drive by awarding classroom prizes including free pizza parties, Saints lithograph footballs and free cruises to schools who collected the most cans of food. The winning schools were announced during half-time at the game. The joint initiative will provide more than 75,000 meals for those in need in the greater New Orleans area this holiday season.

“Carnival has been a part of New Orleans for more than two decades and we greatly value the opportunity to give back to our homeport communities,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “This Holiday Food & Fund drive in partnership with the New Orleans Saints and Second Harvest was a fun and rewarding way to provide tens of thousands of meals to those in need this holiday season,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.

“We are so proud to have worked with Carnival Cruise Line and Second Harvest on the successful build of the largest cruise ship made out of cans, but even more excited about the amount of food donations made through the build and the food drives at local schools that will help fight hunger throughout this holiday season,” said Jean-Paul Dardenne, New Orleans Saints’ senior vice president of corporate partnerships. “Carnival Cruise Line demonstrated their leadership and dedication throughout this project and we are proud to continue to work together to make a difference in the New Orleans community.”

Added Natalie Jayroe, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, “We are so thankful for wonderful opportunity with Carnival, the New Orleans Saints and AIA to team up with us to lead the fight against hunger in Southern Louisiana by providing incentives for schools to participate in our Holiday Food & Fund Drive.  Our work together ensures that meals make it to the dinner tables of thousands of families struggling with hunger.”

Carnival’s Holiday Food & Fund drive is just the latest example of the cruise line’s support of the New Orleans community. Carnival is New Orleans’ largest cruise operator with two year-round ships carrying 400,000 passengers annually.  The line will expand capacity on its short cruise program from New Orleans by 34 percent with the deployment of the Carnival Triumph in spring 2016.

For additional information and reservations on Carnival’s departures from New Orleans or any other of its convenient North American homeports, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Tweet me:.@carnivalcruise builds world's largest cruise ship made of canned food at @Saints game to benefit @2ndHarvestGNOA http://3bl.me/rhqxth

Contact Info:

Claire West
LDWWgroup
claire@ldwwgroup.com

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, food, Hunger, Carnival Corporation & plc

  

CSR and Sustainability – From the Margins to the Mainstream

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by Dr. Michael Hopkins

SOURCE:CSRwire

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New movements have emerged, often rooted in religious or ethnic identity. This shift is linked to the wider decline of progressive social movements, the loss of faith in universalist values, and the replacement of ideological politics with the politics of identity.

CSR and sustainability issues have travelled from the margins of society and business in the early 1990s to the mainstream today. So have my own interests in those issues. Let me explain—

My path was significantly shaped by the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.  My main interest at the time was in socio-economic issues. I had been working for the United Nations and was worried about two problems.  First, that the UN was doing great work with many highly skilled people, yet had failed to make a major impact on the big issues of our time. (I note that the great achievement to reach the Millennium Development Goals this year was mainly to do with the huge reduction of poverty in China—that, it is fair to say, had little or nothing to do with the UN). Second, my fear was that communism had fallen; good riddance to its harsh implementation in Russia and its satellite states, but what was to replace it?  Was it really Communism 0, Capitalism 1?  We needed unadulterated capitalism—itself having many tendencies similar to communism surprising as that may seem—as much as we needed a sore head with its concomitant exploitation of workers, its quest for profit at any cost, its use of power and corruption to override democratic processes and, as Marx had indeed warned, the eventual collapse of capitalism, too! 

Continue reading on CSRwire >>

 

Michael Hopkins is CEO of MHC International Ltd(MHCi) a research and advisory company on CSR and has held a number of professorships (Middlesex, Brunel, George Mason University).

Tweet me:#CSR and sustainability – from the margins to the mainstream http://3bl.me/frp8r7 @CSRwire

KEYWORDS: Business & Trade, csr, sustainability, socially responsible, Michael Hopkins

Domtar's Safety Record Improved in 2014

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Highlights of Domtar's 2015 Sustainability Report

SOURCE:Domtar

DESCRIPTION:

Domtar continues to improve its safety record and decrease the number of recordable incidents, as seen in Domtar's 2015 Sustainability Report.

Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products, including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products. The foundation of our business is a network of world-class wood fiber-converting assets that produce papergrade, fluff and specialty pulp. The majority of our pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper and consumer products. Domtar is the largest integrated marketer and manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America with recognized brands such as Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice®, EarthChoice® and Xerox® Paper and Specialty Media. Domtar is also a marketer and producer of a broad line of absorbent hygiene products marketed primarily under the Attends®, IncoPack® and Indasec® brand names. In 2014, Domtar had sales of $5.6 billion from some 50 countries. The Company employs approximately 9,800 people. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com. 

Tweet me:.@DomtarCorp reduced injuries and improved its #employee #safety in 2014 (graphs). See the type of injuries in 2014: http://3bl.me/vmehz

Contact Info:

Paige Goff, Vice President, Sustainability & Business Communications
+1 (803) 802-8101
Paige.Goff@domtar.com

KEYWORDS: Reports, Domtar, Domtar's 2015 Sustainability Report, sustainability, employee safety

INFOGRAPHIC: Season for Sustainability

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SOURCE:Republic Services

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Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste. Through its subsidiaries, Republic’s collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for their commercial, industrial, municipal, residential and oilfield customers. We’ll handle it from here.™, the brand’s tagline, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet™ for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world. For more information, visit the Republic Services website at republicservices.com. “Like” Republic on Facebook at www.facebook.com/republicservices and follow on Twitter@RepublicService.

Tweet me:Tis the Season for Sustainability | Learn more: http://3bl.me/ctkfd8 via @RepublicService

KEYWORDS: Environment and Climate Change, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Republic Services, holidays, sustainability

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