July 2005

Newground is proud to again co-sponsor Seattle THUNDER's Democracy Festival, August 13th, 2005.

Please come to this worthwhile event to hear our free presentation on Socially Responsible Investing. Details

Recent Presentations

Recent presentations include the Responsible Wealth national conference, the Oregon Sustainability Forum, the Rolling Thunder and Seattle Thunder Democracy Festivals, the Conscientious Projector Film Festival on Bainbridge Island, and the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

Publications

We’ve published opinion pieces that have appeared in the Puget Sound Business Journal, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and The Nation newspaper (Thailand), and conducted interviews on KBCS’s “Voices of Diversity, “The Spotlight Program” of KWJZ and KKNW, and KEXP’s “Mind Over Matters”.

Proxy Vote Victory at the SEC

We worked on the successful (and enormously important) campaign to improve proxy voting rules at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and are hard at work now on an equally critical SEC rule to change how directors are elected to corporate boards.

Fair Trade Coffee – Proctor & Gamble

In conjunction with Oxfam America and Global Exchange, Newground engaged in company dialogs with Proctor & Gamble (one of the world’s top four coffee purveyors) about Fair Trade coffee. This led to a significant agreement under which P&G will launch a Fair Trade line under its Millstone brand.

Costco / Caterpillar / Pharmaceutical Companies & AIDS Drugs

We’re in discussions now and have filed shareholder resolutions with Costco regarding a highly controversial store planned for Cuernavaca, Mexico; with Caterpillar about the use of its equipment in human rights violations in Gaza; and with several major pharmaceutical and other companies concerning improving access to AIDS drugs in developing countries.

Okefenokee Victory – DuPont

Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) / Burma

Newground is a founding member of the steering committee for the Alliance to Defend the Alien Tort Claims Act (a critical human rights accountability law), and we took part in the successful push that recently passed the Burma Freedom and Democracy Act through Congress.

Community Investing / Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)

On the investment front, we continue to be members of the Social Investment Forum’s Community Investing Honor Roll, and Bruce has completed earning his Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation.

Please call to get involved with or to find out more about any of these issues!

Newground's Unique Approach

Newground’s focus on community investment and direct shareholder advocacy distinguishes us from the majority of SRI (socially responsible investment) firms in the country that only screen investments. Screening means avoidance whereas engagement can lead to change. While maintaining stable and productive investment portfolios, Newground places clients at the leading edge of the social investment movement – which brings us all closer to the positive future we desire.

Newground serves any person, organization or institution that recognizes the inherent need to align investments with a larger set of social and environmental values, and we strive to create positive change without any sacrifice to financial performance.

Newground Celebrates Ten Years – Thank You!

Bruce T. Herbert, President

Now enjoying its second decade, Newground Social Investment provides individual, institutional, GLBT, and not-for-profit clients with: ◊ Socially responsive (SRI) money management that integrates investment decisions with social concerns and personal or institutional values. ◊ Competitive financial returns along with positive social impact. ◊ Financial coaching and Life Planning that creates peace of mind, a sense of integrity and financial security. ◊ Community investment for strong local benefits. ◊ Shareholder advocacy for transparency and accountability. Newground is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor serving any person, organization or institution seeking positive change along with competitive performance.