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Author Archive
Posted on April 9th, 2013 by pauline
1% for the Planet member PONOinfusions, a Hawaii-based tea and herbal infusions company, is looking for your support. Help them reach their Indiegogo campaign goal of $10,000- and try some of their tea blends!
Alex and Andrea de Roode have been working hard to get their company off the ground. Once their five tea blends hit the shelves, they plan on supporting a number of local nonprofits who are working to protect Hawaii’s natural environment. These organizations include the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and others! By supporting their campaign, you will not only be sent some of their tasty tea, but you will also be giving back to these nonprofits- so donate today!
Tags: aloha, donate, hawaii, IndieGoGo, PONOinfusions, support, tea
Posted in Announcement, Members
Posted on April 8th, 2013 by pauline
1% for the Planet member KOR is looking for your support in getting their newest water vessel on the shelves. After 18 months of development, they have created a solution for people who ‘only drink bottled water’. Their newest “Nava” vessel is a revolutionary filtering water bottle that will end the need for people to buy bottled water.
Support their Kickstarter campaign at the $35 level (or higher!) in the next thirty days and you will be sent one of these attractive bottles. They are not only BPA-free, but the filters are made from coconut shells- how cool is that?! Spread the word, and let’s get these bottles on the shelf!
Tags: bottled water, BPA, Kickstarter, KOR, Nava, water, water filtration
Posted in Members
Posted on April 4th, 2013 by pauline
Next time you’re at your local health food store, check out the tasty juice sweetened fruit snacks called Surf Sweets. I would recommend trying the Gummy Bears or Gummy Swirls- they’re amazing!
At the beginning of this year, I was thrilled to learn that Surf Sweets would be joining 1% for the Planet to formalize their environmental giving. And we just got word that they have started making their 2013 contributions with a donation to Climate Cycle.
Surf Sweets told us that they “share an affinity with organizations like Climate Cycle because, like us, they’re dedicated to kids AND improving the environment. We’re thrilled to support causes like Climate Cycle that are authentic and relevant to our customers.”
We would like to thank our friends at Surf Sweets for not only being on the ball and making their donations early, but also for sharing this great news with us!
Surf Sweets is an American-based candy company whose products are gluten free, allergy free, natural, and organic.
Climate Cycle, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2008 out of a concern that today’s youth lacked the tools necessary to respond to global warming or benefit from the emerging green economy. Today, Climate Cycle leads the charge in catalyzing environmental education in the classroom and in our communities by developing young leaders in sustainability.
Tags: 1st year member, Climate Cycle, donations, kids, surf sweets, trusweets
Posted in Members, Non-Profit Recipients
Posted on April 3rd, 2013 by pauline
The following blog was written by Rob Thomas, the owner of Social(k), based in Springfield, MA. Social(k) joined 1% for the Planet in 2006 and recently completed their 2012 certification early with support of the Spikenard Farm and Honeybee Sanctuary. We appreciate Rob’s support of our network and would like to share the following blog post with the rest of our network, so they can learn how to add socially responsible investment (SRI) options to an employers retirement plan.
Download this valuable step by step guide on how to get your employer or organization to add Socially Responsible Investments to a retirement plan. Please download it and make use of it. Here’s what you’ll find:
-An outline of what a retirement plan involves.
-What the pieces of this sometimes confusing puzzle are.
-Who does what. How to add Socially Responsible Investing, and why.
-What the steps are to add a new employee benefit or change an existing one to better reflect your organizations DNA.
Green America went through this process and the employees decided to choose Social(k) as their 403(b) plan. With that experience we bring you this guide to use when beginning the discussion at your place of employment.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to download and read through the process and considering taking necessary steps to get screened funds added to the retirement plan for organization.
An excerpt from the SRI-Retirement-Guide:
Whether you are an employer or an employee, you’ll want to understand the benefits of offering employees a retirement plan with investments aligned with the employer’s and/or employees’ mission or ethics and their investment goals. It is important to state the benefits of SRI in order to better support the business’s mission and to strengthen the case for SRI in your retirement plan.
Reasons for offering SRI retirement options include:
-Having a retirement plans that reflects the employer’s values or mission (for example, if you are a producer of solar panels, chances are you want to eliminate or reduce investments in fossil fuels).
-Helping to strengthen the employee’s long-term financial well-being by providing greater investment choice by adding SRI to an existing plan.
-Building employee morale and staff retention by expanding the benefits package.
-Providing an important employee benefit of enduring value since numerous studies have shown that SRI investment returns are competitive with conventional funds over the long term.
According to a September 2011 report by the US SIF Foundation and Mercer, US defined contribution retirement plans that offer SRI options could double in the next three years.2 The results of the survey indicate that four out of five plan sponsors respondents (84%) believe that demand for SRI retirement options will increase or remain steady during the next five years. It is clear that more and more employers are considering SRI, especially in response to employee demand. In fact, legislation has been introduced to make SRI options available to federal employees.
Download the 18 Page guide here
Tags: New England, Rob Thomas, Social(k), socially responsible investments, SRI
Posted in Members, New England
Posted on April 1st, 2013 by pauline
1% for the Planet recipient, Sailors for the Sea, extends a thank you to Velocitek for their second year in a row of financial support.
Alec Stewart, president of Velocitek notes; “Velocitek is a company made up of people who love the ocean. Being based in Hawaii, we are surrounded by the ocean and we spend a lot of time playing in and on the water. We also realize that clean oceans are essential to our livelihood, and the success of the recreational marine industry as a whole. We believe that individually we have a small impact in preserving our oceans, but together, we can make a big difference. We support the ongoing commitment Sailors for the Sea has made to educating the sailing community on the threats to oceans and coastal waters and empowering sailors – from youth to experienced life-long recreational and professional sailors – on the actions they can take to protect marine health for generations to come.”
Since joining 1% for the Planet in 2006, Velocitek has supported a number of our nonprofit parters in addition to Sailors for the Sea. We are proud of Velecitek’s environmental commitment and thank them for their continued support of our network.
Tags: hawaii, recipients, sailors for the sea, velocitek
Posted in Members, Non-Profit Recipients
Posted on March 22nd, 2013 by pauline
Steelhead Vineyards has entered into a partnership with 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses that support environmental causes. The Sonoma-based winery becomes one of a network of companies worldwide that donate one percent of sales through 1% for the Planet. Steelhead Vineyards has been a longtime supporter of conservation efforts through sales of its wines, and this new partnership with 1% for the Planet builds on the winery’s commitment to environmental causes.
“Steelhead Vineyards is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts,” says Terry Kellogg, 1% for the Planet CEO. “They’re using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We’re excited to welcome them to the 1% family.”
Members of 1% for the Planet contribute one percent of revenues directly to any of the approved non-profit environmental organizations in 1%’s network. Non-profits are chosen based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Over 3,000 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% program.
“A commitment to the environment has been part of our mission from the beginning,” notes Katy Leese, co-proprietor of Steelhead Vineyards. “We were impressed with the commitment and reach of 1% for the Planet, and we are excited to partner with them to support conservation organizations. We’ve worked closely with Trout Unlimited for many years, and that support will continue under this new program.”
Steelhead Vineyards was founded by Quivira Vineyards as a tribute to creek restoration and biodiversity on its Dry Creek Valley estate. In 2002 the first vintage was released to recognize these efforts. This began a unique partnership with Trout Unlimited to maintain and improve the delicate equilibrium between water and land in Sonoma County. Since then, Steelhead Vineyards has grown into an award-winning, nationally distributed wine led by consulting winemaker Hugh Chappelle. In partnering with 1% for the Planet, Steelhead Vineyards is broadening its support of non-profit organizations focused on the environment, which will receive one percent of sales of Steelhead’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Steelhead Red blend.
“We’ve been averaging at least one new business member a day, and have nearly 1,400 members in 48 countries. 1% members have contributed over $100 million of critically needed funds into the hands of environmental non-profit groups to date,” comments Kellogg. “We are thrilled by the support we have gained as it proves the environmental ethic is trickling upward to larger corporate entities. The shared belief that you can do well as a business by doing the right thing with respect to the environment is clearly apparent. There’s a paradigm shift happening here and it’s happening organically.”
Based in Sonoma, California, Steelhead Vineyards makes wines from some of the top vineyards and appellations in the North Coast. Additional information on Steelhead vineyards is available at www.steelheadvineyards.com.
Tags: California, new member, Sonoma, Steelhead Vineyards, Trout Unlimited, Wine
Posted in Members
Posted on March 19th, 2013 by pauline
Slow Money’s 4th National Gathering
Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO
April 29-30, 2013
“The gathering was life changing. Welcome to a revolution!”
—Paul Tryba, THE FARM, Long Beach, CA
Looking for a new kind of social investing for the 21st century? If so, plan to join Slow Money’s emerging network of thought leaders, investors, donors, farmers, social entrepreneurs and everyday folks for their 4th National Gathering this April in Boulder, CO. Two days of conversations, network building and action planning in a food-loving town. What could be better?
The list of speakers is phenomenal: the international founder of Slow Food Carlo Petrini; Wes Jackson, founder of The Land Institute, which for 30 years has conducted cutting-edge research on sustainable agriculture; Author Joan Gussow, who Michael Pollan has referred to as “my guru”; and many more.
There will also be investment presentations from two dozen small food enterprises and break out sessions on topics ranging from New Visions of Corporate Philanthropy to Exploring Seeds and Biodiversity to Impact Investing, plus the opportunity to collaborate with folks from around the country who are finding new ways to connect money, culture and the soil—including members of the 16 chapters channeling millions of dollars into local small food enterprises.
The Slow Money National Gathering brings together people who are rebuilding local food systems across the U.S. and around the world. More than 2,000 people attended the first three national gatherings—with over $22 million now invested in more than 185 small food enteprises!
Join this forward thinking group now. For details and to register, click here.
Tags: Boulder, Carlo Petrini, Slow Money
Posted in Events, Non-Profit Recipients
Posted on March 5th, 2013 by pauline
This week, Wendy Pabich is concluding the Taking on Water Challenge! During the month of February, contest participants undertook a new action each week to reduce their water footprints, saving up to 6,054 gallons of water. This week she is asking that you please let her know how this challenge changed the way you think about and use water, and how much water you’ve saved. She’d also love to hear what other water saving actions you might be planning for the future. Thank you for joining in!
On or about March 15, 2013, Wendy will be drawing a contest winner, who will receive a copy of Taking on Water and a water reduction kit for his or her home (Approximate Retail Value $130). Stay tuned.
See introductory information on the Taking on Water Challenge: Reduce your Water Footprint here, the Week 1 Challenge: Eat Less Meat here, the Week 2 Challenge: Waste Less Food here, the Week 3 Challenge: Conserve Energy here, and the Week 4 Challenge: Fix Leaks here. To enter to win the Taking on Water Challenge, pledge to decrease your water footprint by leaving a comment on Wendy’s blog.
Tags: challenge, Taking on Water, water, Water Deva, Wendy Pabich
Posted in Members
Posted on March 1st, 2013 by pauline
Laury Hammel, the co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) was recently inducted into the Social Venture Network’s Hall of Fame for being a champion of successful business. We commend Laury on his devotion to the environment and for being a role model in the sustainable business world. He is living his values through his business, The Longfellow Club, which just became New England’s newest 1% for the Planet member!
We are thrilled to welcome The Longfellow Club to our network. Although I’ve never been to this Wayland, MA based athletic club, I hope to get down there soon to sharpen my tennis skills (and maybe we could have a network-wide round robin?!). Laury has created an impressive establishment that any business owner can learn a lot from.
The Club has eight indoor tennis courts, a full fitness facility, swimming pools and so much more- they have healthy fitness options for people of all ages and abilities. The Longfellow Club has eight core values which together create healthy minds, bodies and Planet. These values are: Community, Gratitude, Knowledge, Sparkle, Happiness, Health, Service and (our favorite) Sustainability. They have joined 1% for the Planet as a way to help share their giving story and to play a key role in New England, as one of our region’s largest members. We look forward to working with Laury and everyone at The Longfellow Club!
Tags: BALLE, Boston, New England, Social Venture Network, tennis, The Longfellow Club
Posted in Members, New England
Posted on March 1st, 2013 by pauline
To conserve water this week, Wendy Pabich is asking us to fix any leaks in our home. To participate in the Taking on Water Challenge, you have until March 11th to read Wendy’s recent posts and comment on her blog!
The average home in the U.S. uses more than 144,000 gallons of water each year, 70 percent of which is used inside. Faucets account for approximately 16 percent of indoor water use, or more than 15,000 gallons of water. Even a small, undetected leak in a faucet can add up to big water losses. A leaky faucet dripping at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water per year. All told, leaks—in toilets, showerheads, faucets, and pipes—in an individual home can waste more than 10,000 gallons in a year. Nationwide, our houses leak more than 1 trillion gallons of water each year, or enough drinking water for 5 million people.
This week’s Taking on Water Challenge is to find and fix any leaking faucets, toilets, or showerheads you might have. Do so and you will save an average of nearly 200 gallons of water in a week. Often, the fix is simple—merely replacing a rubber washer, adding some teflon tape, or replacing a toilet flapper. Check out EPA’s WaterSense program for guidance on fixing leaks at home.
See introductory information on the Taking on Water Challenge: Reduce your Water Footprint here, the Week 1 Challenge: Eat Less Meat here, the Week 2 Challenge: Waste Less Food here, and the Week 3 Challenge: Conserve Energy here. To enter to win the Taking on Water Challenge, pledge to decrease your water footprint by leaving a comment on Wendy’s blog.
Tags: challenge, Taking on Water, water, Water Deva, Wendy Pabich
Posted in Members
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