SOURCE:PYXERA Global

DESCRIPTION:

WASHINGTON, October 17,2018 /3BL Media/ – Last week, the 2018 Global Engagement Forum: Live convened leaders and experts from business, government, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate around solving specific problems within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by PYXERA Global, the Forum convened over 300 leaders, experts, and stakeholders in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 

The forum was headlined by author, speaker, and humanitarian activist Dan Pallotta, Director of Peace Corps, Jody Olsen, and Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Head of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan Chase & Co, Peter Scher.  

Participants from around the world held conversations in hopes of future collaboration on four “solvable problems.” As defined by PYXERA Global, “solvable problems” are social challenges within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for which there are known and tested solutions. The specific challenges addressed at the forum included Closing the Skills Gap in STEM, Eliminating Marine Debris, Ending Energy Poverty, and Reducing Post-Harvest Loss. Throughout the Global Engagement Forum: Live, participants heard from global leaders working on these issues and broke out into tracks to understand the problem and collaborate on finding solutions. 

“The Forum provides leaders at the highest levels an experiential understanding of cross-sector collaboration,” said Katie Levey, Senior Director of Communications at PYXERA Global. “Whether a participant works in a multinational corporation, government agency, social enterprise, or a nonprofit, she or he brings this learned experience back into their organization and transforms it into action.” 

 Day one’s activities brought cross-sector participants together to understand and sit with these solvable problems. Speakers included Ahsiya Mencin, Director of Global Employee Experience at GSK, Gabriela Burian, Global Director for Sustainable Agriculture at Bayer-Crop Science, Lisa Jordan, Campaign Director at Shine, and Kristina Kloberdanz, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard. 

In the session entitled “Solving the Solvable,” Gabriela Burian, Global Director for Sustainable Agriculture at Bayer—Crop Science challenged the audience to think about where we want to be in 12 years—in 2030. She described the conference as the “best time, best place, with the best people” to make decisions and consider the long-term effects of post-harvest loss and climate change. Opportunities for innovation that Gabriela mentioned include improving storage for produce during the transport process and overcoming investment challenges. “If we focus on food loss and waste, we can solve many of the UN SDGs,” said Gabriela Burian.  

Day two activities included workshop style collaborative sessions where cross-sector participants imagined and planned ways to work together. Participants investigated the barriers to finding solutions within their respective “solvable problem” tracks. In the “Reducing Post-Harvest Loss” track, working groups continued to refine their problem statements and consider questions such as:

• How do you improve financial literacy and increase trust between lenders and farmers?  
• How do you promote communication about buyers’ needs to farmers?  
• How do you use existing data and research to promote effective policies around post-harvest loss?

Experts were able to provide some context as to what solutions or strategies are already in place to tackle these issues, while participants from differing sectors were able to bring a fresh perspective to conversations.   

Day two speakers included Rob Vallentine, President, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation and Director, Global Citizenship and North America Global Corporate Affairs, Amanda Gardiner, VP, Sustainability & Social Innovation, Pearson, Matt Dunne, Founder & Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation, and Virendar Khatana, Project Director for PYXERA Global’s Joint Initiative for Village Advancement program (JIVA), among others.  

Leading sponsors for the Global Engagement Forum: Live 2018 include The Dow Chemical Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., John Deere, PIMCO, SAP, PepsiCo, U.S. African Development Foundation, IREX, Keep America Beautiful, GSK, Ocean Conservancy, Johnson & Johnson, Shine, World Food Programme, and IBM.     

About PYXERA Global

For nearly 30 years, PYXERA Global (@PYXERAGlobal) has facilitated mutually beneficial partnerships between the public, private, and social sectors worldwide to create social impact projects that enrich lives and livelihoods, inclusively and sustainably.  

For questions, please contact:  

Roger T. Bain 
Media & Thought Leadership Manager 
RBain@pyxeraglobal.org 
+1.202.975.5499  

Tweet me:Last week, the 2018 Global Engagement Forum: Live convened leaders and experts from business, government, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate around solving specific problems within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. http://bit.ly/2ykT60s

KEYWORDS: SDGs, Tri-Sector Partnership, social sector, private sector, public sector, conference, PYXERA Global

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

At Melwood, we believe anything is possible when people are able to pursue their potential.

We see the lasting, positive effect on society when people of differing abilities – individuals with cognitive, physical, and other disabilities, as well as military veterans – have the power to apply their unique talents in meaningful ways. That is why we are so passionate about introducing their contributions throughout our communities. For more than 55 years, we have charted a path to inclusion for this remarkable yet underserved population.

Our commitment to creating transformative experiences has led Melwood to become a leading employer of people of differing abilities. Yet we see even greater value in the confidence garnered by our participants, because we know that as their confidence builds, so does the strength and vibrancy of our communities.

In the beginning, small victories meant just getting in the door, arranging an interview, and landing a job – any job. Thanks to advances in technology and a growing societal expectation of inclusion, the challenge is no longer getting an opportunity, it is ensuring that people of differing abilities are set up to succeed in a career of their choosing and are not subjected to disparate treatment in the workplace.

When Melwood was founded in 1963, a person of differing ability faced a grim future of likely institutionalization – with its inherent risks of neglect and abuse and complete lack of opportunity to develop skills and independence. It wasn’t long ago that the American Dream, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” wasn’t even considered as goals for people then known as “mentally retarded.” For them, independence, homes, and jobs were not considered possible – or even worth pursuing.

Melwood has been a significant player in the movement to expand opportunities for people of differing abilities since then.

Melwood’s impact on the DC-Metro Area economy has amounted to nearly $50 million in income; $14.2 million in economic output; more than 1,500 full-time and part-time jobs; and $1.4 million in state and local sales taxes.

More than 90 percent of Melwood’s funding comes from government contracts to fulfill facility management and custodial, grounds keeping, and recycling service duties across the region. At this very moment, one of our groundskeepers, Joshua Bey, is setting the gold standard for excellence at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center due to his professionalism and unwavering dedication to his duties. A few miles down the road, Pamela Stevens’ strong work ethic and positive attitude is one of the reasons the Potomac Annex of the Washington Navy Yard will reach its site goals today. And military veteran Frank Eaton will be recognized for honoring his responsibilities as a materials handler at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

It is through the individual contributions of those like Joshua, Pamela, Frank and the rest of our workforce of over 1,400 that visitors and employees at some of the DC-Metro area’s finest landmarks – from the USDA’s People’s Garden on the National Mall, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Quantico – experience the quality, depth, and diversity of Melwood’s services.

Our impact is certainly felt in the lives of individuals, but it can also be felt in nearly every corner of our community. For example, you may be surprised to learn that since 2008, Melwood teams have recycled more than four million pounds of material, which has translated into six-figure returns to the federal government every year thereafter. It may also surprise you that our Business Services Clients have experienced millions of dollars in cost savings by eliminating their own hiring and training processes in favor of those offered by Melwood.

Still, there is more work to be done.

A 40 percent employment gap remains between individuals with disabilities and those without. To shrink this gap, Melwood is pioneering new pathways to better integrate the unique talents of people of differing abilities within the workforce. Working closely with our partners, we are constantly evolving our training and programming to align their dynamic needs with the abilities of our people. By training Melwood employees in the disciplines of green cleaning, for example, clients like the United States Department of Justice, can fulfill their LEED-certification commitments. Similarly, by training team members to excel in one to two proficiencies, Melwood custodians deployed throughout the region can perform their tasks with precision.

For more than 50 years, Melwood has been proving that, if given the chance, people of differing abilities are perfect for the job. With the support of people like you, Melwood has reached thousands and effectively used your generous donations to transform lives. Over 90 percent of every dollar received is turned into economic resources and support services for people of differing abilities, like our Professional Development Program.

This program spans 12 weeks and teaches skills such as job exploration, resume building, job search, interviewing, workplace conduct, and personal financial management.

• For approximately $30 a month, you can provide a camper with a week of day camp at Camp Accomplish, Melwood’s inclusive recreational camp for children of all abilities.
• For approximately $135 a month, you can support one individual over the course of one year through our Vocational Support Services. 
• For approximately $200 a month, you can support one individual for three months within our Horticultural Therapy program. This is the program Melwood first began after a group of parents wanted their children of differing abilities to gain specific job skills and earn self-generated income.  
• For approximately $325 a month, you can support one veteran through a 7--day retreat session at Operation Tohidu®, an innovative therapeutic approach to reintegrate veterans into the civilian world and workforce.

When you support Melwood, you:

• Play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, where every person is recognized for his or her abilities.
• Help increase the employment rate of people of differing abilities.
• Help businesses capitalize on the talents of qualified people of differing abilities.
• Help people of a differing ability have a chance to achieve workplace success with vocational support services.

Melwood has been advocating on behalf of those of differing abilities long before the law was on their side – the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990 – and will be here until our dream of a world of full inclusion is realized. The people we serve have the capacity to raise the bar for quality and excellence, which can lead to outcomes that benefit us all – outcomes like greater productivity, increased profits, economic growth, and social advancement.

We will continue to build on our 55-year legacy of celebrating the unique talents, passions, and abilities of every individual, and foster meaningful opportunities for them to achieve personal advancement while bettering the world around them. Because the participation of one is a catalyst to progress for all.

Support Melwood through your employee giving program:

As a donor, you can support Melwood by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC#21166 if you're a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support your favorite charities.

As Melwood's workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work - through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.

Tweet me:.@Amercharities: Anything is Possible When People Are Able to Pursue Their Potential. Here's How @MelwoodHTC Provides Pathways to Independence. https://impact.ac/2CmItgq #impactthatmatters #1DollarBringsUsCloser #workplacegiving

KEYWORDS: America’s Charities, workplace giving, employee giving, Corporate Social Responsibility, charity vetting, payroll deduction giving, Fundraising, Melwood, workforce development

SOURCE:SiMPACT Strategy Group

DESCRIPTION:

KEYWORDS: LBG Canada, LBG Model, Survey, Senior Leadership Buy In, Engagement, Community Investment, employee giving, employee volunteering, Simpact strategy group

How to Lead the Charge in Doing Good

SOURCE:Benevity

DESCRIPTION:

Today’s employees want more than a paycheck. They want purpose. And consumers expect more than a product. They expect companies to take the lead in championing positive social change…  

Check out our latest eBook to learn:

• Three emerging trends that are shaking up the CSR space and changing the way companies engage their people
• Stories from companies like Levi’s, Prudential, QVC and TripAdvisor who are leading the way in fostering compelling, purpose-driven workplace cultures
• Actionable tips you can use to engage more people, make a bigger impact and embed purpose into the fabric of your culture through your workplace giving and volunteering programs

DOWNLOAD THE CSR TRENDS EBOOK

Tweet me:eBook: @benevity shares the top 3 #CSR trends changing the way companies engage their people in purpose-driven workplace cultures. Get tips + examples from @LeviStraussCo @Prudential @QVC & @TripAdvisor + more! #impact http://bit.ly/2CPrCnk

KEYWORDS: benevity, workplace giving, giving back, purpose driven, Culture, trends, best practices, increase participation, Community Investment, Open Choice, SDGs, Software, causes, Engaging Millennials

SOURCE:Discovery Education

SUMMARY:

• Students invited to participate in ‘Opioid Crisis: Real People. Real Stories. Real Science.’ Virtual Field Trip on October 25
• Part of Operation Prevention, the Nation’s Leading Prevention Education Program Available at No-Cost to Communities Nationwide

DESCRIPTION:

Silver Spring, Md., Thursday, October 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Discovery Education are expanding Operation Prevention, the no-cost, standards-aligned, science-based initiative for parents, teachers and students, by introducing the 3rd in a series of dynamic Virtual Field Trips. As part of DEA’s Red Ribbon Week campaign, Opioid Crisis: Real People. Real Stories. Real Science. will broadcast on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT, providing middle and high school students with information on how addiction starts through first-hand accounts from survivors of drug misuse. The immersive virtual event will also introduce students to the science behind addiction and underscore the impact of the opioid epidemic in communities that have been hardest hit.

“Drug addiction, just like any addiction, isn’t limited to one group of people or community,” said Sean Fearns, chief of community outreach, DEA. “‘Opioid Crisis: Real People. Real Stories. Real Science.’ is an extension of our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic one person at a time. We believe one of the best ways to fight addiction before it starts is to empower families and teachers to openly communicate with their children and students about the opioid crisis.”

During Opioid Crisis: Real People. Real Stories. Real Science., students nationwide will be transported from their classrooms to see the real faces of addiction and hear personal stories behind initial experimentation and movement from trial, to usage, to addiction. This virtual experience aims to connect students with real people who have been affected by the opioid epidemic in order to inspire a deeper understanding of the dangers of experimentation and the benefits of drug-free living.

The Virtual Field Trip will allow viewers to meet two retired professional football players who understand the pressures of playing football through pain and now focus their efforts on discussing alternative pain management options with young athletes. Students will also be introduced to a young musician who played at Carnegie Hall as a teenager before becoming addicted, whose efforts now support musicians in recovery. Finally, students will hear from a family that has been plagued for three generations by opioid addiction. Their collective stories of challenge, triumph and learning will underscore the far-reaching impact of the opioid crisis. No matter how addiction begins, recovery from addiction is a struggle.

Discovery Education is proud to expand the reach of ‘Operation Prevention’ with this dynamic Virtual Field Trip in order to further address a growing epidemic that is impacting every classroom, every community and every corner of the country,” said Lori McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Discovery Education. “By focusing on prevention education with a science-based approach – anchored in the youth voice – ‘Operation Prevention’ gives students opportunities to share their stories, engage with their peers and to play a visible role in stemming the tide of young people who fall victim to the pipeline of addiction.”

Operation Prevention equips teachers, parents, students and communities with digital tools to initiate life-saving conversations about the opioid epidemic. The program’s immersive resources – focused on the science of addiction – include standards-aligned digital lessons, a self-paced e-learning module, a Virtual Field Trip series for classrooms, and a nationwide peer-to-peer video challenge that encourages teens to educate their peers about how drug use affects the brain and body. Since launching during the fall of 2016, Operation Prevention’s immersive English and Spanish-language tools have reached more than three million students ages 8 to 18. Additionally, an Operation Prevention public service announcement (PSA) aired on Discovery Communications networks has reached more than eight million homes to date. Operation Prevention efforts have expanded through the Operation Prevention Pledge– which brings together educators, advocacy organizations, businesses, think-tanks, and social impact groups – to encourage millions more young people to learn about the science behind addiction. The pledge also encourages the nation’s youth to live drug-free lives.

“Every day, another family is forced to deal with the overwhelming reality of an opioid addiction. Working together, we can truly make a difference in the rapidly growing epidemic that is affecting our youth in unprecedented numbers around the country,” said Cheryl Lykowski, Elementary School Teacher, Monroe Road Elementary, Bedford Public Schools. “‘Operation Prevention’s’ digital tools, PSA, and deeply engaging Virtual Field Trips are purposeful in equipping communities with the right information to tackle this problem and begin lifesaving conversations.”

Operation Prevention materials are available at OperationPrevention.com and also through Discovery Education Streaming Plus, where users can access the full range of student and teacher facing resources, in addition to an on-demand archive of the Virtual Field Trips and youth-created PSAs. To learn more about Discovery Education’s digital content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.com. Stay connected with Discovery Education on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @DiscoveryEd.

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About the Drug Enforcement Administration:

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets. The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites www.justthinktwice.com, www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com and www.dea.gov.

About Discovery Education:

As the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12 classrooms worldwide, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional learning, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries around the globe. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contacts:

Charmion N. Kinder, Discovery Education

Charmion_Kinder@discovery.com

240-274-2173 phone

National Media Affairs, DEA

202-307-7977 phone

Tweet me:Opioid Crisis: Real People. Real Stories. Real Science. will broadcast on Thursday 10/25 at 1pm ET/10am PT, educating #students on how #addiction starts through first-hand accounts from #survivors of #drug misuse. http://bit.ly/2yKLWC2 @DiscoveryEd @DEAHQ #OpioidAddiction

KEYWORDS: discovery education, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), opioid epidemic, Operation Prevention, Red Ribbon Week, OPIOID CRISIS, addiction

Projects to increase accessibility of protein for children and fund nutritional research

SOURCE:Tyson Foods

DESCRIPTION:

SPRINGDALE, Ark., October 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – One million children under 5 years of age in Nepal (or 36 percent of the population) suffer chronic malnutrition and 10 percent suffer from acute malnutrition. The difficulty in acquiring protein is a contributing factor to the nutrition gap in the south Asian country. In an effort to help combat those issues in Nepal, as well as Honduras and Ethiopia, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) announced today a series of grants to OneEgg, a non-profit organization that delivers eggs to children in need.

The investment in Nepal focuses on building the capacity of local farmers to supply eggs to 12 schools and 700 children, with a goal of reaching 7,000 children over the next two years. Employees of Cobb-Vantress, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyson Foods, will provide technical assistance and training to farmers and Tyson Foods will contribute $50,000.

In addition, Shreenagar Agro, a leader in Nepalese agribusiness, will provide $50,000. The collaborative project is expected to provide one egg per day three times per week to children from Rupandehi, Palpa, and Kathmandu districts. Kathmandu lies in the central part of Nepal, Rupandehi represents the low land of western Nepal and Palpa represents the hilly district of western Nepal.

“After the 2015 earthquake devastated Nepal, we saw an opportunity to help change the lives of those who were suffering,” said Moushimi Shrestha, co-founder, Shreenagar Agro. “Because of the partnership with Tyson Foods, OneEgg and Cobb-Vantress, we are expanding those efforts and impacting even more lives with just one egg a day.”

A video highlighting the project and Shreenagar Agro’s efforts to provide more eggs to children in Nepal can be viewed here.

The launch of a OneEgg chapter in Honduras will focus on providing eggs to expectant mothers and their families. Tyson Foods will contribute $65,000 and in-country partner Honduras Outreach International (HOI) will provide $50,000.  The project will also include research, education, and outreach efforts in the Valley of Sierra de Agalta, Olancho, to continue to investigate the value of eggs on children’s physical development and to share the farm business model with others in developing countries that could implement it.

The OneEgg and HOI team have been working with a U.S. based university to design a study around the project, which will formally evaluate the impact of egg consumption during a child’s first 1,000 days (gestation through the age of two). Once the study has been approved by the university, the researchers will begin working with HOI and OneEgg to collect data from the project and measure the impact on both mothers and children.  

Another OneEgg chapter will be launched in Ethiopia in collaboration with Project Mercy to introduce the production and consumption of eggs into the Yetebon community. Employees of Cobb-Vantress will provide technical assistance and training to farmers, Tyson Foods will contribute $56,500 and Project Mercy will provide $56,500.

“Getting more eggs to more kids is what OneEgg is all about. We are very excited about the partnership with Tyson Foods and Cobb-Vantress and our new partners in Ethiopia, Honduras and Nepal,” said Chris Ordway, OneEgg executive director. “Protein is essential for cognitive and physical development – especially in young kids. Children who receive adequate amounts of protein before age 5 have higher IQs and stronger mental development.”

As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, employees of Cobb-Vantress and Tyson Foods have provided technical assistance and training to previous OneEgg projects in Rwanda and Uganda. Last year’s project in Haiti marked the first financial commitment from Tyson Foods as a newly constructed farm provides a continuous supply of eggs for sale in local markets, while providing new jobs for local residents. As a not-for-profit project sponsored by Tyson Foods and Cobb-Vantress, the proceeds from the enterprise remain in Haiti and keep the farm operational.

More than 10,000 children around the world are now receiving eggs every day as a result of these collaborative projects. 

“It is an absolute priviledge and honor to be part of a team that understands and applies resources to project partnerships such as OneEgg,” said Dave Juenger, senior advisor, CVI support services, Cobb-Vantress. “As an industry leader, we have the skill sets and ability to provide the technical assistance that allows small holder farmers an opportunity to become self sufficient while providing an essential protein source to the rural community, especially the children. I believe our efforts and commitment can bring upon positive change that is generationaly impactful.”

“We’re raising the world’s expectations for the good food can do,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility, Tyson Foods. “The OneEgg Nepal project is a perfect example of our purpose coming to life and the integration of sustainable thinking throughout our work.”

About Tyson Foods 

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson^®, Jimmy Dean^®, Hillshire Farm^®, Sara Lee^®, Ball Park^®, Wright^®, Aidells^® and State Fair^®.  It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 115 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About Cobb-Vantress

Cobb-Vantress, Inc. makes quality protein accessible, healthy and affordable worldwide. Our research and technology innovates the global poultry industry. With headquarters in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, we are the world’s oldest pedigree broiler breeder. We distribute poultry breeding stock in more than 120 countries. Find more at cobb-vantress.com.

About OneEgg

OneEgg’s mission began ten years ago with a singular vision to end world hunger – one child at a time. OneEgg follows a unique model for sustainable development, blending for-profit enterprise with a sponsorship model. The objective is to provide a hand-up, not a hand-out, and to empower the local community and increase the amount of protein in the diets of children. Today, OneEgg provides eggs to children around the world in Rwanda, Haiti, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda. OneEgg works with the right local partners who are dedicated to ensuring more eggs get into the hands of more children. OneEgg is blessed by supporters and sponsors who provide the “bricks and mortar” of the farms, and the sponsorship dollars that purchase eggs. To learn more, please visit www.OneEgg.org

Tweet me:.@TysonFoods expands @OneEgg partnership to #Nepal, #Honduras and #Ethiopia http://bit.ly/2yn5D3g

Contact Info:

Derek Burleson
+1 (479) 290-6466
derek.burleson@tyson.com

KEYWORDS: NYSE:TSN, Tyson Foods, OneEgg, Cobb-Vantress, Nepal, Honduras, Ethiopia, Project Mercy, Shreenagar Agro

SOURCE:Northern Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Learn more about building a career at Northern Trust. Our internship provides valuable knowledge and professional, real-world experience for undergraduate students. Northern Trust also provides interns and young professionals with many professional development and networking.

Connect with Northern Trust

Tweet me:#Video: Achieve Greater | Build Your Career With @NTCSR http://bit.ly/2CoNdlo

KEYWORDS: Northern Trust, northern trust careers, Internships, csr

DaSilva will share insights into how brands can use purpose as a lens for engaging on issues in the marketplace

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

BOSTON, October 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – Alison DaSilva, executive vice president, CSR and Purpose, Cone, a Porter Novelli company, will join corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts as a speaker at 3BL Forum on October 23-25. The annual event brings together a diverse group of business, policy and NGO leaders together to share insights, advance best practices and workshop forward-thinking solutions to the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time.

Alison DaSilva will participate on a plenary panel entitled, “This is the Moment: Aligning Purpose, Values and Voice” on October 24. The session offers three unique perspectives on the need for and how to align corporate Purpose, values, and voice. Attendees will discover new tools and ideas to find this alignment and how amplifying corporate voice through storytelling is essential. Other panelists include Stephen Keppel, vice president, Social Impact for Univision Communications and executive director for Univision Foundation and Raphael Bemporad, Founding Partner at BBMG. The session will be moderated by John Friedman, sustainability manager at WGL Holdings.

As a leader of Cone's award-winning CSR team and part of the leadership of Porter Novell’s Purpose Practice, Alison’s expertise spans strategic planning and goal setting, social impact, employee engagement, public/private partnerships, stakeholder engagement and sustainability communications. For two decades, Alison has led the development of Cone’s groundbreaking benchmark research, exploring the attitudes and behaviors of consumers, employees and executives towards corporate involvement with social issues and responsible business practices including the recent 2018 Cone/ Porter Novelli Purpose Study.

About Cone

Cone is a public relations and marketing agency that is Always Making a Difference℠ for business, brands and society. We help organizations define their authentic Purpose, weaving it into the brand DNA to both grow the business and positively impact the world. Our deep subject matter expertise in Purpose Brand Strategy, CSR, Social Marketing, Social Impact and Brand Communications creates breakthrough work and unforgettable experiences to ignite action around issues that matter. Cone is a Porter Novelli company and part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.

About Porter Novelli

Porter Novelli is a global public relations agency born from the idea that the art of communication can advance society. Over 45 years ago, we opened our doors – and people’s eyes and minds – for brands driven to make a positive impact. Today, we are a global agency with the entrepreneurial spirit of boutique specialists. We continue to build that bridge between purpose and business imperatives, and believe that a healthy bottom line can also make a remarkable impact. For additional information, please visit www.porternovelli.com. Porter Novelli is a part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.

About Omnicom Public Relations Group

Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

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Tweet me:CSR Expert Alison DaSilva Joins Plenary Panel at 3BL Forum http://bit.ly/2J8uZGs via @Cone

KEYWORDS: Cone Communications, 3BL Forum, Porter Novelli

Q&A with Mike Mathiesen of Mountain View Los Altos High School District

SOURCE:ENGIE Storage formerly Green Charge

DESCRIPTION:

All over California, school districts are beginning to install energy storage. Mountain View Los Altos (MVLA) High School District was the first district in the state to combine energy storage with solar power generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. At ENGIE Storage, we have years of experience helping K-12 school districts generate cost savings and improve the economics of sustainability measures with our GridSynergy® energy storage systems and software platform. We recently sat down with Mike Mathiesen, associate superintendent of business services at MVLA, to talk about how school districts can benefit from energy storage. 

Q: The MVLA school district is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. What makes it unique in terms of the community’s willingness to embrace new technologies for a more sustainable future

A: Our community expects sustainability measures. Students and parents advocate for it. At our campuses we see electric vehicles, recycling, rainwater harvesting, and other green initiatives, so there is a lot of support for anything we do to supplement those efforts. The community really pays attention to how we’re using our resources, and we try to make those choices wisely and responsibly.

Q: How did you find out about energy storage, and how did the project start?

A: Sybil Cramer, a community advocate and member of MVLA’s Go Green Sustainability Committee, found ENGIE Storage through the Green California Schools Summit when she was researching EV charging. At the time, they were known as Green Charge. They held a workshop that showed us the basics of energy storage and how it mitigates the demand charge impact of EV charging. They also helped us acquire funding to install charging stations coupled with energy storage at both our campuses at no cost to the district.

Q: Why did you decide to couple the energy storage with EV charging and solar power generation?

A: Once we started to understand the mechanics of energy storage, we realized it was a great fit for supporting green initiatives. We already had solar panels installed, and energy storage was a way to pull everything together. By storing energy from the grid at night, when energy is less expensive, and when solar panels are productive during the day, and then discharging it from the GridSynergy system during peak demand times, we reduce demand charges and lower our bill from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) without adjusting our usage patterns. It’s also more sustainable, because we reduce the amount of energy drawn from the grid during peak times when less clean sources of energy are in use.

Q: How did the installation process go? What was involved in terms of your time and resources?

A: Demands on our time were minimal. As with any construction project, we experienced a few delays and disruptions.  One campus in particular, was challenged by the limited space available for installation. ENGIE Storage did a great job working with contractors and subcontractors to make sure it all went off without a hitch. They worked around our schedule, which is important for a school district.

Q: What has been your experience in the three years since deployment? Have there been new opportunities to benefit from energy storage?

A: We’re committed to modernizing our campuses, making sure they are built to LEED standards and as close to net-zero energy usage as possible. We’ve added more solar panels and EV charging stations. It’s an ongoing process.

Recently, we allowed PG&E (the local utility) to tap into our systems for one of its demand response pilot programs. The way it works is that we get paid by PG&E to be ‘on call’ and reduce our energy drawn from the grid at specific times at their request. The problem is, those requests could come at inconvenient times. For example, we don’t want to shut off the air conditioning on a hot day during school hours.

The good thing about the GridSynergy system is that it enables us to participate without affecting school operations. So, if we have a spike in AC use, and we get a demand response call, the system is configured to automatically discharge the batteries, preventing that demand from being pulled from the grid, so we can fulfill our demand response obligations. We are open to more opportunities to help the grid while benefiting financially from clean energy programs.

Q: Have there been any helpful insights from the GridSynergy software?​

A: Having that layer of intelligence and automation gives us more control as our energy needs change, because the software can learn and adapt. For example, we can make sure that if we add more classrooms or EV charging capacity, it isn’t spiking our electricity bill. If rates go up and down, we have a way to mitigate that. Otherwise, we’re subject to those fluctuations.

Q: What interest has the project generated? Has it inspired other districts to take on similar initiatives?

A: Yes, and we’re proud to be a leader. Anybody who comes to our campuses sees the solar panels and EV charging stations, so we get a lot of inquiries from neighboring districts and as far away as the East Coast. When we tell them about the role energy storage plays and the potential benefits, they’re immediately interested. It’s not just school districts, either. In conjunction with ENGIE Storage, we helped a local hospital get started with a major energy storage project that will benefit the community.

Q: What advice do you give to school districts considering energy storage?

A: I tell them to move forward with it as soon as possible as long as the community supports it. Obviously, it’s the right thing to do for the environment. But for school districts, it’s a great way to gain control of your energy costs, stabilize budgets, and direct more money to students’ education.

To learn more about K-12 schools and energy storage please download this free eBook. 

Tweet me:Energy Storage Q&A: Learn How a California school district boosts revenue and sustainability with #energystorage http://bit.ly/2OB5Udi

KEYWORDS: battery energy storage system, Energy Storage System (ESS), energy storage, MVLA, solar PV system, electric vehicle charging, ENGIE Storage formerly Green Charge, sustainability

Target and ADM share new commitments to protect freshwater resources

SOURCE:Ceres

DESCRIPTION:

October 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Ceres and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announce the addition of Target (NYSE: TGT), a general merchandise retailer that serves guests at more than 1,800 stores, and Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM), one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, to the AgWater Challenge. The two companies’ new water stewardship commitments were shared today at the Financial Times Water Summit in London.

Ceres and WWF first launched the AgWater Challenge in 2016 to encourage better water stewardship among the world’s most influential food and beverage companies. Target and ADM join seven participating companies who have made commitments to better protect freshwater resources in their agricultural supply chains. With the global food sector using 70 percent of the world’s freshwater supply, food and beverage companies play an important role in protecting water quality and quantity.

“We welcome Target and ADM’s new commitments to reduce their water impacts,” said Eliza Roberts, a senior manager at Ceres, “We encourage more companies to take action to go further faster in their efforts to preserve and protect freshwater resources for generations to come.”

“As human demand for water grows—particularly for agriculture, the pressures on critical freshwater ecosystems also grow,” said Lindsay Bass, manager of Corporate Water Stewardship at WWF. “When companies like Target and ADM embrace water stewardship across their agricultural supply chains, they set the stage for others to follow. With more of the food value chain represented in the AgWater Challenge, participating companies can now better leverage, scale and build meaningful projects in the places that need it most.” 

By adding a major food retailer operating in every U.S. state and a global food processing conglomerate, the AgWater Challenge significantly increases the acreage farmed with water stewardship in mind.

Target commitments:

As the first retailer to join the AgWater Challenge, Target’s commitments to improve water stewardship include:

• Promoting sustainable water management in California as an active member of the California Water Action Collaborative, and by engaging collectively with other companies to support public policies that advance resilient water solutions through Ceres’ Connect the Drops campaign. 
• Collaborating with suppliers through the Field to Market Fieldprint Platform to address soil health issues, developing time-bound, measurable goals to improve soil health across corn and soy acres and ensure progress on water quality is made by reducing agricultural runoff in the Mississippi River Basin.
• Supporting future development of small grains and cover crops grown in rotation with corn and soybeans, as part of a collaboration with Practical Farmers of Iowa and Sustainable Food Lab. The project seeks to develop a market solution for climate and water protection in the Corn Belt and engage key supply chain partners on associated feasibility studies.

“Participating in the AgWater Challenge is another example of how we’re working to strengthen the health and vitality of the communities where we live, the people we serve and the planet we all share,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president, corporate responsibility, Target. “These new commitments align with our goals of creating healthy ecosystems and improving sustainable water management.”

ADM commitments:

With a global value chain that includes approximately 500 crop procurement locations, 270 food and feed ingredient manufacturing facilities, 44 innovation centers and the world’s premier crop transportation network, ADM has made several time-bound measurable commitments to address water quality challenges across their value chain. ADM’s commitments to improve water stewardship include: 

• Ensuring that by 2022 at least 10 percent of U.S. wheat processing volume comes from farmers who are measuring and monitoring the environmental footprint of their farming practices. Through these Field to Market projects, the company will establish a baseline and work with Agrible and growers to increase acres using cover crops and alternative tilling practices by 25 percent each.
• Incentivizing participation in the Illinois Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) program, a farmer certification program aligned with the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. As a part of this program, ADM seeks to have a minimum of 50 farmers in the region surrounding its Decatur processing facility complete the STAR survey in 2018. By 2028, it seeks to have farmers representing 50 percent of acres enrolled in this program earning 3 out of 5 stars and 25 percent earning the maximum number of stars.
• Providing educational and financial support to all farmers that participate in these projects across corn, soy and wheat acres. This includes direct financial incentives for all farmers, as well as a grant to the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to support education efforts and adoption of conservation practices.

“At ADM, sustainable practices and a focus on environmental responsibility aren’t separate from our primary business: they are integral to the work we do every day to serve customers and create value for shareholders,” said Alison Taylor, ADM’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Everything we do starts with growers and participating in the AgWater Challenge presents us with a great opportunity to influence growing practices and make a tangible difference in water conservation practices for years to come.”

Target and ADM join seven companies already participating in the AgWater Challenge including Diageo, General Mills, Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Hormel Foods, Kellogg Company, PepsiCo, and Danone North America (formerly WhiteWave Foods). Since committing to advance their sustainable water sourcing strategies in 2016, the original AgWater Challenge companies have made significant strides in engaging with farmers and suppliers across their value chain, sourcing responsibly, and reducing their overall exposure to water risks.  

As part of the AgWater Challenge, companies also pledge greater transparency about the success of commitments, their ability to drive more resilient production systems and positive impacts they have made in freshwater basins.

MEDIA CONTACTS 
Barbara Grady at grady@ceres.org
Tessa Castellani at castellani@ceres.org
Brooke Hirsheimer at Brooke.Hirsheimer@wwfus.org

About Ceres
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through powerful networks and advocacy, Ceres tackles the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

About WWF
For more than 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by more than 1.2 million members in the United States and 5 million supporters globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. Visit worldwildlife.org to learn more.

Tweet me:JUST RELEASED: Ceres + @World_Wildlife are proud to announce at #FTWater that @TargetNews + @ADMUpdates have joined the #AgWater Challenge, making new #waterstewardship commitments to better protect freshwater resources in their agricultural supply chains. http://bit.ly/2yIa3kG

Contact Info:

Barbara Grady
Ceres
+1 (510) 334-2690
grady@ceres.org

KEYWORDS: CERES

Symantec highlights six months of progress in fostering a secure tomorrow

SOURCE:Symantec

DESCRIPTION:

By Tess Hetzel, Sr. Corporate Responsibility

Young people in foster care face a range of unique risks when it comes to identity theft protection and cyber security risks due in part to the abundance of people with access to their personal information. LifeLock/Symantec has a history of supporting foster youth and this year we expanded ourinvolvement and increased our commitment to protecting this vulnerable population. In March, we launched the Fostering a Secure Tomorrow (FAST) initiative, in Washington DC in an effort to educate politicians and policymakers on the importance of keeping foster youth safe online.

Foster youth move frequently and their personal information is passed from person to person. The FAST initiative is working to help foster youth restore their identities as well as curb the heightened risks of identity theft through education, tools and services.

Education: Symantec is providing free in-person training, workshops, webinars, and online resources to help change behaviors that make foster youth vulnerable.

Since March, Symantec has created a foster-youth focused curriculum on identity theft and digital hygiene and trained 70 Symantec employees to lead these training around the country. From North Carolina to California, these trainers have shared important identity theft tips and tools with 250 individuals so far, including youth in foster care, families hosting foster youth, and service providers. These trainings include an overview of what digital safety is, what credit is, how to reduce vulnerabilities, and how and where to find identity protection help.

Tools: Symantec donates easy-to-use Norton security antivirus and VPN software to help keep foster kids’ identifiable information safe. 

Twenty foster families in Temple, Arizona have received Norton Security Deluxe devices since FAST’s launch. We’ve also donated two Norton Small Business one-year subscriptions to secure new laptops for foster youth in San Jose, California, and provided grants to three local nonprofits servicing foster youth, The Bill Wilson Center, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK), and Promises2Kids, as well as two national nonprofits iFoster and ITRC. 

These efforts are in addition to the software donations made to nonprofits in need, including those like Smooth Transition that service foster youth, through our 16-year partnership with TechSoup. In FY18 we donated our software to more than 22,000 nonprofits in 55 countries.

Services: Twenty-two percent of foster youth between the ages of 14 to 17 in California had at least one credit issue revealed on their credit report, according to iFoster. For young people participating in our program whose identities have been compromised, LifeLock identity restoration services are provided free of charge. 

In addition to our identity theft work, Symantec supports Together We Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the experience for children in the foster care system. At our recent CBU Marketing Conference, employees created 375 birthday boxes to help foster youth celebrate their special day. Creating these boxes was Symantec’s largest service project to date.

We’ll continue to foster a secure tomorrow for foster youth. Check back soon to see our video on the top ten reasons why foster youth should care about identity theft and for the launch of our white paper, The Experience of Foster Youth with Identity Theft in America.

Tweet me:Through the “FAST” (Fostering a Secure Tomorrow) initiative, @NortonOnline and @LifeLock have been providing identity theft education, tools and services to help protect foster youth http://bit.ly/2CSdolG

KEYWORDS: NASDAQ:SYMC, Symantec, Fostering a Secure Tomorrow, Norton, LifeLock, foster care, together we rise

From ‘Home on the Range’ to ‘Home of the Range’

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Tulsa, Oklahoma has reinvented itself several times during its history. Once called “The Oil Capital of the World,” today, only a small portion of the once-famed oil operations from the early 1900's still remain. Before the oil boom, the Oklahoma Territory was originally opened for settlement through races called “Land Runs.” In 1889, thousands of hopeful pioneers made their way to the territory to participate in these dramatic races for land, which started with the crack of a gunshot.

Even earlier in its history, the territory where Tulsa now rises out of the plains was set aside for use by several tribes of Native Americans. Descendants of those tribal members still reside there. One of them is Cindy Turley.

READ MORE

Tweet me:Tulsa, Oklahoma has reinvented itself several times during its history. Today, Tulsa is the home of a plant building ranges for Whirlpool Corporation. Learn about the people and the place with our photojournalism series "Places that Matter." http://bit.ly/2CuCDJE

KEYWORDS: whirlpool, whirlpool corporation, manufacturing, places that matter, Tulsa, NYSE:WHR

SOURCE:National Diversity Council

DESCRIPTION:

COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – The Ohio Diversity Council is proud to welcome Dr. Cornel West as the keynote speaker for the 2018 Diversity and Leadership Conference. The conference will take place in Columbus, Ohio at the HYATT Regency Columbus on October 25, 2018.

“It is such a privilege to have Dr. West join us at the Diversity & Leadership Conference,” said Dennis Kennedy, Founder and Chairman of the National Diversity Council. “His commitment to diversity and inclusion is undeniable and I am honored to have him join our efforts to foster change in our communities and workplaces.”

Dr. Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He has taught at Yale, Harvard, the University of Paris, Princeton, and, most recently, Union Theological Seminary. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his MA and PhD in philosophy at Princeton. He has written over 20 books and has edited 13. Dr. West has a passion for equality and strives to leave a legacy of inclusion.

The 2018 Ohio Diversity & Leadership Conference will begin with registration and networking. Awards that will be presented during the conference include: Ohio’s Top 15 Companies for Diversity and Inclusion, Ohio’s 2018 Most Powerful and Influential Women and The Leadership Excellence Award. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend various informational sessions covering topics on Race, Racism & Privilege, Unconscious Bias and much more.

Registration for the Ohio Diversity & Leadership Conference is open and can be completed at http://ohiodiversityconference.com/2018/registration.php. For more information, please contact Dennis Kennedy at dennis.kennedy@nationaldiversitycouncil.org.

About the Ohio Diversity Council

A non-profit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity. The council affords opportunities for organizations to share best practices and learn from top corporate leaders in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

More information about the Ohio Diversity Council is available at: http://www.ohiodiversitycouncil.org/

Media Contact:

Jasmine Nelson

Communications Specialist

National Diversity Council

jasmine.nelson@nationaldiversitycouncil.org

KEYWORDS: National Diversity Council, non-profit, unconscious bias, Race

Greg Pollock says his position is just one example of the organization’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and disability inclusion.

SOURCE:PNC Financial Services Group

DESCRIPTION:

Real People. Real Perspective. Real Insights. 
Read more POV Stories »

It’s rare for a company to have an accessibility officer in its ranks. As organizations deepen their commitment to diversity and inclusion, a best practice is emerging: companies like PNC are adding roles specifically focused on disability and accessibility. 

In late 2017, a team of leaders from around the company convened to form a ‘disability roundtable’ to advance PNC’s work around disability inclusion. As the team explored opportunities and needs, one recommendation was clear: hire an accessibility officer. “Leaders at all levels of the organization are committed to accessibility and disability inclusion,” says Greg Pollock, PNC’s first-ever accessibility officer, “and my position is proof of their commitment to this strategy.” 

Since joining PNC, Pollock has been hard at work partnering with colleagues across the organization to develop an accessibility strategy that will impact every aspect of the bank’s operations. Pollock joined PNC in May after working for years in public affairs and human resources at another large company. 

It Starts with PNC’s Commitment to Employees 

In 2018, The Disability Equality Index named PNC a Best Place to Work for people with disabilities.[1]

Accessibility impacts every area of the company’s human resources and talent strategy. “Our employees are our most valuable resource,” says Pollock. “We need to make sure employees with disabilities know that PNC values their individual expertise.” There’s a broad range of disabilities, and no one individual can truly understand the specific needs of each one, he explains. To that end, “it’s important that we hire people from diverse backgrounds and leverage each individual’s unique differences and perspectives to strengthen our company,” he says. 

Pollock believes that it’s only by working together that PNC employees can make products and services accessible for everyone. “From recruitment and training to accommodations, our enterprise strategy will take a holistic approach.”

The Business Case for Accessibility 

Pollock’s work aligns with PNC’s commitment to employees and its corporate values of diversity and inclusion. Beyond that, accessibility impacts everything the bank does. “Really, it’s about making the banking experience easier for everyone – employees and customers,” Pollock says. 

It’s logical that if PNC makes tools, products and services accessible to more people, it will grow its customer base. Making something accessible for people with disabilities makes it easier for everyone to use. For example, websites that are friendly to computer screen reader programs tend to be easier to read for all people with low vision. The goal is to make products and services accessible for all customers, regardless of abilities.

Beyond Compliance 

Like many large organizations, PNC complies with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. In practice, this means having an accessible option for people with disabilities, such as equipping buildings with compliant wheelchair ramps and elevators. “While ADA compliance is important, it is the minimum standard, a passing grade,” explains Pollock. And PNC is setting its sights beyond compliance. “This means any time customers or employees enter our doors or interact with our organization in any way, there are no barriers or friction for anyone,” Pollock says. “It’s about making sure that whatever tool, path or approach our customers want to use is available to them.” 

Instead of merely reacting to requests for accessibility, Pollock’s role is to help the company take a proactive approach. “Rather than retrofitting a building or website to meet accommodation requests, we want to get to a place where we’re anticipating all the needs of our customers and employees at the point of inception,” he says. 

“Ultimately, we want to be the most accessible bank in the world,” he says. 

Learn more about PNC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion »

Tweet me:Meet @PNCBank's first Accessibility Officer http://bit.ly/2yqMpd5 “Leaders at all levels of the organization are committed to accessibility and disability inclusion,” says Greg Pollock

KEYWORDS: Accessibility Officer, pnc financial, csr, diversity and inclusion, disabled employees

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