See this at: coopamerica.org| Added on 12/16/06

Dialogues...proxy voting...resolutions. What does it all mean? How can you use your investments to join shareholder advocacy for corporate responsibility?

Dialogues...proxy voting...resolutions. What does it all mean? How can you use your investments to join shareholder advocacy for corporate responsibility? See less

Highlights: Below, we give you the basics about how shareholder action works, and how you can get involved. Shareholder action, also known as shareholder advocacy or shareholder activism, describes the efforts of a growing number of investors to use their status as part-owners of companies to...

See this at: nytimes.com| Added on 02/15/07

Shareholders are calling upon companies to provide proof that their business decisions also consider issues involving climate change.

Shareholders are calling upon companies to provide proof that their business decisions also consider issues involving climate change. See less

Highlights: According to Ceres, a coalition of investors and environmental groups, investors have filed 42 resolutions asking for such information during the 2007 proxy season, up from 31 last year. And today, Ceres will issue a list of 10 companies that shareholders say are not looking at climate...

See this at: csmonitor.com| Added on 01/14/07

It's that time of year when shareholders get their say - by asking a question at a corporation's annual meeting or voting on resolutions. But resolutions don't appear out of thin air. Corporate officials and activist shareholders can spend months... See more

It's that time of year when shareholders get their say - by asking a question at a corporation's annual meeting or voting on resolutions. But resolutions don't appear out of thin air. Corporate officials and activist shareholders can spend months hashing over an issue such as pollution or labor practices. For a peek at that process, the Monitor's Laurent Belsie talked with Shelley Alpern, director of social research and advocacy at Trillium Asset Management, and Meredith Benton, research associate with Walden Asset Management. Here is an edited transcript of their conversation. Ms. Benton: One of the most exciting trends we're seeing right now is the level of responsiveness from the companies. They've gone from being resistant or unaware ... to working with us. Ms. Alpern: There's a lot of activity around climate change. Ten years ago, companies could treat you like you were a little bit crazy for bringing up the issue. But now, it's taken very seriously as an economic issue. See less

See this at: csrwire.com| Added on 01/14/07

16 Resolutions Promote Positive Change in 2006; Issues Include Global Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Human Rights and Board Diversity.

16 Resolutions Promote Positive Change in 2006; Issues Include Global Climate Change, Corporate Governance, Human Rights and Board Diversity. See less

Highlights: Calvert, one of the nation's largest family of socially responsible mutual funds, completed another successful year in shareholder advocacy in 2006, lead-filing ten separate shareholder resolutions and co-filing an additional six. To see Calvert's filing history, go to...

See this at: foe.org| Added on 12/16/06

Confronting Companies Using Shareholder Power: A Handbook on Socially-Oriented Shareholder Activism

Confronting Companies Using Shareholder Power: A Handbook on Socially-Oriented Shareholder Activism See less

Highlights: This handbook is written for socially-conscious or mission-based investors who recognize their obligation to exercise ownership responsibility in the companies they hold. It is intended to assist investors who have long-term commitment to social issues and who are committed to using...

See this at: socialfunds.com| Added on 12/16/06

As a shareowner you are a part owner of a corporation. As such, you have the power to shape and influence the direction of the company.

As a shareowner you are a part owner of a corporation. As such, you have the power to shape and influence the direction of the company. See less

Highlights: There are four steps to shareowner action. * Voting your proxies on social and environmental issues at annual meetings * Initiating dialogue with company management * Sponsoring shareowner resolutions * Divestment* We encourage investors to become active in shaping the social policies of...

See this at: corpwatch.org| Added on 12/16/06

Every spring, thousands of annual general meetings take place across America. Many of these are banal affairs where CEOs use their big day to unveil their latest product, announce record profits, or otherwise make a media splash and get their votes... See more

Every spring, thousands of annual general meetings take place across America. Many of these are banal affairs where CEOs use their big day to unveil their latest product, announce record profits, or otherwise make a media splash and get their votes of confidence from the stockholders who own the companies. You’ve seen it before: Bill Gates grins on stage as he touts Microsoft’s New Feature. There’s a colossal screen above Gates’ head with a close up of his face, and the audience of thousands goes into thunderous applause every time he finishes a sentence. Shareholder meetings are also the one opportunity each year where minority shareholders and advocacy groups have a chance to speak directly with the company boards in a public forum. Participation ranges from mild-mannered opposition to radical, attention-getting activism. In 1998, for instance, environmental activists from Amazon Watch splashed fake blood on the exterior of the Occidental oil company's headquarters and carried a... See less

See this at: amnestyusa.org| Added on 12/16/06

Join Amnesty International USA Business and Human rights program's sharepower campaign. Get started by watching the SHARE POWER flash animation ...

Join Amnesty International USA Business and Human rights program's sharepower campaign. Get started by watching the SHARE POWER flash animation ... See less

Highlights: Tell a friend about the SHARE POWER Movie! Requires Flash. If you would like to use the SHARE POWER Flash Movie in a presentation where internet access is not available, download and unzip this zip file to play the movie on your laptop.