File Shareholder Resolutions [return to top]

Dec. 14, 2009

World AIDS Day [return to top]

Nov. 23, 2009

Lutheran Peace Fellowship Resources [return to top]

Nov. 6, 2009

Illegal Alien Costumes Discontinued   [return to top]

October 20, 2009

The ELCA CSR program has learned of a campaign asking stores to discontinue sales of Illegal Alien Halloween costumes. To date Target and Toys R Us have pulled the costume from their web sales. As of Oct. 20 we have not heard of the status of these costumes in local stores. Congratulations to these companies for their discontinuation of sales of this item on the web.

Visit United Farm Workers for additional information.

Read the ELCA message on Immigration that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

World Food Day [return to top]

Oct. 16, 2009

The Thirst for Water [return to top]

Sept. 16, 2009

A Manual for Investors [return to top]

Sept. 2, 2009

Before making an investment, know your rights as a shareowner. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute has a publication available, Shareholder Rights Across the Markets: A Manual for Investors. The manual "provides a brief summary of the current practices, recent developments, and legal and regulatory frameworks in each jurisdiction, and a detailed explanation of the key features and rights unique to each of 22 markets around the world." 

Read the issue papers that govern the work of the Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Reverse Trick-Or-Treating [return to top]

August 26, 2009

Announcing GoodWeave [return to top]

August 19, 2009

RugMark Foundation is committed to ending illegal child labor in the carpet industry. To strengthen this work RugMark is phasing out its existing certification label and logo and replacing it with a new brand, GoodWeave! The new brand is expected to be available in stores this fall.

Read the issue paper on human rights that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

World Humanitarian Day [return to top]

August 12, 2009

Go PVC-Free for Back-to-School [return to top]

August 5, 2009

The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) has released a free guide to help one make healthier and safer PVC-free purchases for themselves and their children. The Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies offers suggestions and alternatives in over 20 product categories.

Download the handy wallet-sized guide to take with you when shopping.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

TassaTag [return to top]

July 13, 2009

Slavery Next Door [return to top]

June 24, 2009

In some way each of us are touched daily by slavery - from the clothing we wear to the products we eat. A new publication entitled The Slave Next Door written by Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter exposes "the disturbing phenomenon of human trafficking and slavery that exists now in the United States."

Learn more about The Slave Next Door and how you can purchase a copy.

Read the issue paper on human rights that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Community Investment Toolkit [return to top]

Social Investment Forum (SIF) has released a new toolkit, "Community Investing Toolkit for the Faith Community" . The resource is a guide to community investing featuring quick and efficient ways for faith-based investors to get involved in community investing.

Read the SIF press release announcing the launch of the toolkit.

Selective Purchasing Policy Guide [return to top]

May 26, 2009

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of the ELCA has a new resource available entitled Selective Purchasing Policy Guide. The resource provides information for ELCA members, congregations, and related institutions to develop guidelines appropriate to their respective locales and situations.

Read the issue specific selective purchasing policy descriptions that are available to accommodate this guide.

Commitment to Fair Trade [return to top]

May 11, 2009

In recent announcements Cadbury has committed "to achieve Fairtrade certification for Cadbury Dairy Milk, the nation’s top selling chocolate bar, by end of Summer 2009." and Mars Inc. has committed "to fundamentally changing the way sustainable cocoa farming practices are advanced by aiming to certify its entire cocoa supply as being produced in a sustainable manner, by 2020."

Read the issue paper on sustainability that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Water Scarcity Report [return to top]

May 11, 2009

In response to growing concerns of water scarcity and its effects on the global economy, Ceres and the Pacific Institute have released a report, Water Scarcity & Climate Change: Growing Risks for Businesses & Investors. Along with the report an investor tool for assessing water has been developed as well.

Read the issue paper on global warming and climate change that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

World Fair Trade Day [return to top]

April 30, 2009

Lutheran World Relief is a sponsor of World Fair Trade Day on May 9. This year's theme, Everything Is Better When It's Fair "reminds us that Fair Trade is more than just coffee, chocolate and handcrafts."

Visit Lutheran World Relief to find out how you can help break the record for the World's Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break.

Take the World Fair Trade Day Pledge.

Preserve Gimme 5 [return to top]

April 13, 2009

You have been using your Brita® water pitcher faithfully, replaced the filter when needed and reluctantly tossed it in the trash. Through the Gimme 5 program you can now recycle #5 plastics and Brita® filters.

Learn more about Gimme 5 and Preserve and how their recycling process works.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Restrictions on BPA [return to top]

April 13, 2009

Sunoco has taken a stance on restricting sales of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). A recent press release states "The move by the gas and chemical giant makes Sunoco the first manufacturer to acknowledge safety concerns" regarding this chemical.

Read more about the manufacturers of baby bottles who have agreed to stop using BPA in their products.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Blue Heart Campaign [return to top]

March 24, 2009

Recently the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking. The campaign helps raise awareness to the "millions of victims [who] are entrapped, and exploited every year in this modern form of slavery."

Learn more about the campaign.

Read the issue paper on human rights that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Prescription for Life [return to top]

March 19, 2009

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) has launched a resource guide, "Prescription for Life" that encourages active engagement to help children living with HIV. The guide provides information and resources for schools, families, faith groups and communities to empower young people to write letters to pharmaceutical companies and governments to improve testing and treatment for infants and children living with HIV.

Read the issue paper on international access to pharmaceuticals that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Ecumenical Women Advocacy Guide [return to top]

March 11, 2009

Ecumenical Women at the United Nations has published an advocacy guide, "Faith at the UN, Gender in the Church". The resource prepares delegates from faith-based non-governmental organizations for effective action at the annual United Nations meeting.

Download a copy of the guide and learn more about Ecumenical Women at the United Nations.

Best Buy    [return to top]

In an effort to become more environmentally friendly Best Buy has launched Greener Together, a recycling program recently implemented in all stores nationwide. In addition to offering in-store recycling, the program provides options to safely recycle items that are not currently accepted in stores.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Lenten Reflections [return to top]

February 12, 2009

Environmental Lenten resources are now available. The resources are "a Lenten journey of Reflection, Remembrance, Rediscovery, Repentance, Reconciliation, and Recommitment on our way to becoming more faithful stewards of God's creation."

Subscribe now to receive your daily Lenten reflection "Living Earth: Joining the Hymn of All Creation" beginning on Ash Wednesday.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Eco-Palms [return to top]

There's still time to order your Eco-Palms from Lutheran World Relief. Support the farmers who harvest the palm fronds by placing your order now! Deadline for ordering on-line is March 9.

Read the issue paper on sustainability that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

You may also be interested in the National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Program about Eco-Palms.

Investing with a Purpose [return to top]

January 22, 2009

The January 2009 issue of The Lutheran magazine features an article, Investing with Purpose that addresses the question of "What does it mean for the church to practice corporate social responsibility?"

Pat Zerega, director of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program, gives insight into the complex work of social responsible investing.

Beverage Container Recyling Report Card   [return to top]

January 13, 2009

Ever wonder what the leading bottling companies are doing about recycling their product? As You Sow has released a Beverage Container Recycling Scorecard and Report that evaluates 23 of the largest beverage companies.

To find out how they did view the 2008 report.

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11   [return to top]

All are affected by this abuse of human rights. You can promote awareness, advocate for others, and take action in many ways.

Find out more through:

Stop Trafficking! - Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter

Not For Sale - A Campaign to End Slavery

Learn more on this issue through the ELCA Justice for Women program.

Eco-Palms   [return to top]