Clinton Global Initiative: Empty Gift Bags and Global Give Back

Today I attended the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in NYC. It’s my second year attending. In many ways, it’s similar to other conferences, with plenary sessions, breakouts, networking, etc. In other ways, it’s unique. To begin with, as former President Clinton said in his speech to us, “This is the only conference you’ll ever attend where the gift bags are empty.” Because CGI provides its members with the chance to give to others.

There is a great deal of power at CGI. More than 60 current and former heads of state, 500 business leaders, and 400 leaders from NGOs and philanthropic organizations from 84 countries attend.

As at most conferences, the real deal making happens outside of the sessions. What makes this conference different is that the pitching and buying is among NGOs and philanthropists/funders. And the matchmaker between the NGOs and funders is President Clinton and CGI. In fact, one of the great success stories we heard today was Global Give Back Circle.

For continuation, go to http://3bl.me/ema6v8

via 3blmedia.com

Enter the “S Contest” for a Chance to Win $10,000 in Services – Deadline Wed, Sept 30th

As part of its rebranding effort, SDialogue (formerly SRB Marketing) is currently running its $10,000 “S Contest,” and using audio and video to promote the contest to other organizations with a sustainability story to tell.  It’s also giving participants multimedia options for entering – participants can enter the contest with a short written argument for why they should be chosen at the firm’s website or Facebook page, or can add or substitute a video at its YouTube page.  The winner gets $10,000 worth of sustainability strategy and communications services.

Perry Goldschein, SDialogue partner, “As we got closer to launching our rebrand over the summer, we realized we wanted to “start fresh” by giving something back.  We felt tremendously privileged to work with the organizations we have.  So, we decided we would run a contest to help out a lucky winner with pro bono services, while getting the word out about our new name and focus.”

The September 30th deadline to enter is fast approaching (yes, that’s next Wednesday!). If yours is an organization that serves more than the financial bottom line (also conducts business with people and planet in mind), or sincerely wants to be, then they’d like to help you create and tell your story.  The winner gets $10,000 worth of sustainability and communications services!  Visit the entry page (www.sdialogue.com/contest) for more details.

via 3blmedia.com

Posted via web from 3BL Media’s Posterous

CLIF® BAR GreenNotes; VolunteerMatch: Helping musicians and fans turn awareness into action

With eco-awareness and the green movement reaching new heights these days, the connection between sustainability and service has never been more apparent.

Many people who care about our planet are balancing reducing one’s environmental footprint with getting out and volunteering time for an organization working on environmental issues. Recently we’ve been helping CLIF® BAR with a project that’s making it easier for music fans to do both.

Click here to read more…

via 3blmedia.com

Shareholder Communications Forum to be Streamed Live … All of the Sessions, None of the Travel!

Insight Forums, LLC today announced that it is providing a video stream of its Shareholder Communications Symposium to public company and fund firm executives who cannot attend in person. The event is being held October 6 and 7 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, and streams of all sessions on both days are being made available. Registration for online participation for both days and access to session recordings after the event is just $175 and may be secured at http://www.insightforums.com/?sub=394.

The Shareholder Communications Symposium is an exclusive forum dedicated to helping governance, shareholder communications and investor relations professionals balance cost and service, and gain additional benefits in the form of environmental stewardship and improved brand equity. Sessions include coverage of such issues as Notice & Access, Summary Prospectus, Virtual Shareholder Meetings, Retail Proxy Voting, Social Media for Public Companies, Plain Language and Sustainability; for details, see either the event Web site at www.insightforums.com/scs2009.php or an interactive “Zmag” description at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/0619a12d#/0619a12d/5. Symposium exhibits are co-located with those of the Document Strategy Forum.

“We know that schedules and travel budgets are tighter than ever, and streaming seemed the obvious and immediate answer,” said Steve Weissman, Program Director and Senior Analyst at Insight Forums. “While it doesn’t substitute for the in-person networking and collaboration the on-site attendees will enjoy, it does open the door to people who otherwise would miss it completely.”

via 3blmedia.com

Posted via web from 3BL Media’s Posterous

Landman XChange Coming to Dallas, Texas

LandmanConnection.com will be hostingLandman Xchange Professional Development Conference in Dallas, Texas.

If you are a Landman or work in a related field, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to meet with peers for a tremendous networking and educational event.  The Landman XChange will offer land pros further professional development through a group of talented industry speakers who will conduct presentations throughout the day on topics important to your career and success.  Some topics include:

• how technology will affect the future of the landman professional
• lateral career options (wind, ROW, etc.)
• pooling for the field landman
• expert round-table discussions
• much, much more

The conference has been accredited by AAPL for six (6) CPL/RPL/RL credits.

LandmanConnection.com has been providing a highly interactive media community for their members benefiting all landman professionals.  Go to landmanconnection.com for more details about the conference.  You won’t want to miss it!
via 3blmedia.com

Posted via web from 3BL Media’s Posterous

Green Talk Radio: Smaller Homes with Shay Salomon ( Audio)

Sustainablog.org

GreenTalk Radio Shay SolomonSean Daily, Green Living Ideas‘ Editor-In-Chief, discusses the topic of the smaller homes living movement, and how downsizing helps you go green with Shay Solomon, author of Little House on a Small Planet and Co-Founder of The Small House Society.

Get Adobe Flash Player to play this audio or download the audio file instead.

via sustainablog.org

Organic Milk Linked to Fewer Allergies Including Eczema and Asthma

Organic milk may cost more, but it may also pay off in the end. A recent Dutch study suggests that children are one third less likely to suffer from allergies before age two if they’re raised on organic dairy products.

In the study, children and breastfeeding moms ate organic milk, cheese and yogurt. The study author said the connection between choosing organic dairy and less incidence of eczema was clear. The risk for other allergies and asthma also decreased.

So why is organic better? It’s hard to say for sure at this point, but researchers believe it may, in part, be due to the higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids that are found in organic milk. Studies have shown that organic milk has 71 percent more omega-3 fatty acids, too, another important nutrient for growth and development.

So, you may want to switch to organic dairy for good. One caveat: You have to go all in. Benefits were only seen when children exclusively ate organic dairy, not when they had a mix of some organic and some conventional.

Image credit: beta karel at Flickr under a Creative Commons license.

via ecochildsplay.com

Unanimous! UN resolution aims for nuclear-free world

The Independent

With Barack Obama presiding, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution today aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons. Russia, China and developing nations supported the US-sponsored measure, giving it global clout and strong political backing. The resolution calls for stepped up efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament and “reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism.” Obama was the first American president to preside over a Security Council summit, gaveling the meeting into session and announcing that “the draft resolution has been adopted unanimously.”

“The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to a goal of a world without nuclear weapons,” Obama said immediately after the vote. “And it brings Security Council agreement on a broad framework for action to reduce nuclear dangers as we work toward that goal.”

Just one nuclear weapon set off in a major city could cause major destruction, Obama said.

He said the global effort would seek to “lock down all vulnerable nuclear materials within four years.”

“This is not about singling out an individual nation,” he said. “International law is not an empty promise, and treaties must be enforced.”

“We will leave this meeting with renewed determination,” Obama said.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saluted the national leaders for joining in the unprecedented Security Council summit on nuclear arms.

“This is a historic moment, a moment offering a fresh start toward a new future,” he said.

via independent.co.uk

Alaskans say NO to gold mine

[Pebble Mine, an open-pit gold and copper mine planned in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is being met with opposition by community groups and major jewelry retailers alike.]

A collaboration between Anglo American PLC and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., the Pebble Mine would be situated in the Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska. Though the companies claim that the project would be carried out with minimal environmental impact, residents of Bristol Bay are concerned that the mine would cause irreversable damage, specifically to the salmon industry. Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest sockey salmon fishery, which is indeed the backbone of the local economy.

According to a survey conducted by Craciun Research, an Alaska-based research firm, which sampled more than 400 residents, 73% of residents are strongly opposed to Pebble Mine.

In addition to community concern, a number of jewelry companies including Tiffany & Co. and Helzberg Diamonds have vowed to boycott any gold mined at Pebble.

Read more from the blog

via 3blmedia.com

Posted via web from 3BL Media’s Posterous

CSR MInute: September 24, 2009 – Lowe’s School Grants; IBM’s Iowa Initiative; C5′s Sustainable Jewelry

Corporate Social Responsible News: Lowe’s School Grants; IBM’s Iowa Initiative; C5′s Sustainable Jewelry