As we begin this new
year, we see many people making an effort to better themselves,
or the world in which they live. In this issue, we take a look
at those who have made contributions to the sustainability movement
by going above and beyond the bare minimum.
Giving, and giving back, is taking on a new look as organizations
whose business is philanthropy are starting to model themselves
after the best that for-profit business has to offer, as seen in
this issue’s “Doing Well by Doing Good.” Dennis
Walsh explains how businesses are taking part in programs like
the 561 Exchange, an IRS-approved transaction that allows property
owners to convey title in exchange for a substantial cash benefit
that exceeds the cash benefit attained by selling a property at
list price if the owner has certain tax liabilities and has a certain
amount of carrying costs. In short: This program helps corporations
provide items like property to small businesses in exchange for
benefits. In turn, the small business revitalizes the economy of
the area.
Peter Asmus shows us how the donation of human resources is another
growing trend in the corporate world. In “Volunteerism and
the Bottom Line,” we can see how employee volunteer programs
can help a company exceed the S&P 500 and Dow Jones averages.
And with the assistance of innovative new technology, the success
is easy to track.
“
Instead of a broad, generic call to volunteerism, we rely on new
software products so we can be more strategic and more focused
on social outcomes, which then makes it easier to answer questions
about when and how we as a company become engaged,” said
Evan Hochberg, national director of community involvement for Deloitte.
Not leaving the environment out, Tiffany Downey brings to light
how celebrities are continuing to lend their star power to make
practicing a sustainable lifestyle “hip” in her piece, “The
Environmental It Factor.” As helping the environment becomes
en vogue, more celebrities are joining the crusade to save our
planet.
To highlight his, Downey writes about how a multi-platinum record
producer, engineer, musician and former TV star is taking the idea
of sustainability to the core of his business practices. Bruce
Robb is doing things such as launching an eco-music tour on college
campuses to use the platform of free concerts as a way of promoting
simple environmentally healing actions that students can easily
undertake.
So as we look forward to all the possibilities of a new year, let
us, too, remember the things we can do to promote and practice
sustainability.
Whether we are motivated by the bottom line or
social responsibility, we have the ability to continue to promote
change.
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