Regenerative Agriculture:
This month, the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice Working Group featured guest Harry Huntley from Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) to discuss a proposal for a farm bill program that would incentivize farmers and states to achieve clean water outcomes. The working group also finalized a memo outlining priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill and discussed strategies for calling on Congress to pass a
climate budget reconciliation package that includes funding for regenerative agriculture.
CCPI:
CCPI is in the process of planning events for September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. They are also moving forward in getting the Protect America's Children for Toxic Pesticides Act (
S.3283, PACTPA). If you would like to tell your representatives to support PACTPA, sign ASBN's letter
here.
The CDC released their Guidelines for Examining Unusual Patterns of Cancer and Environmental Concerns. These guidelines are open for public comment until July 25. The Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI) would like to release a joint comment on these guidelines. If you would like to submit input on the guidelines, please send it to [email protected].
Circular Economy:
On the state level, the Circular Economy Working Group drafted a
letter to Senator Allen in California earlier this month to communicate what we would be looking for in an amended SB 54 in lieu of the Plastic Reduction Ballot Initiative. We are thrilled to report that Senator Allen's office said they were able to include all of the listed criteria from the letter in the final version of the bill. The bill was recently in front of Chair Rivas and the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources who who decided to push forward SB 54.
On the federal level, ASBN was in Capitol Hill recently lobbying for the
Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act with the Break Free from Plastic Coalition. We were invited to speak at the press briefing alongside our BFFP allies. As a result of our lobbying efforts, we have been invited to testify at a hearing today (6/30) in front of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Climate Change on recycling and the circular economy.
BCCA:
BCCA had its monthly network meeting focusing on building out and investing in kelp mariculture as a regenerative business enterprise and a mechanism for self-determination & food sovereignty. The presentation featured guest speakers Alana Peterson of
Spruce Root, Kim Pate of
NDN Collective, Dune Lankard and Rion Schmidt of
The Native Conservancy, and James Mitchell of
Don't Cage Our Oceans. Click
here for the recording.
BCCA is also hiring an
Indigenous Business Outreach Coordinator. If you are interested in the position please send resumes and cover letter to
[email protected].
Business for Democracy:
ASBN's Business for Democracy working group had its monthly meeting at the beginning of the month featuring Robert Orr, retired Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. He is a co-leader in North Carolina promoting the
Carter Center Candidate Principles, endorsed by ASBN. The group is also continuing to build business collaboratives in target states to elevate the issue of voting rights in the upcoming elections.
Livable Planet:
Evidently, you CAN put a value on biodiversity! Want to KNOW YOUR Environmental Footprint? Shana Gavron invites everyone to try the new
Environmental Footprint Calculator - Endangered Wildlife OÜ from
Endangered Wildl.life.
Jon Scott invites us to check out the Clean Water Action Wallet, an ESG screened cash management solution that combines traditional bank account convenience with the benefits of a brokerage account. Ask him for a one-pager, download the app from Apple or Google Play, and let him know what you think: [email protected].
We invite everyone to save the largest forest on the planet - endorse this declaration "Amazonia for Life 80% by 2025"
Join the Livable Planet Town Hall on July 20th, '
Our Transformational Nature Stories: A Compass for Thriving in Business and Life'. ASBN members and allies will be invited to evoke a special nature-based experience. Presenters will start things off by sharing their own transformative nature experience, including how it has affected their personal and professional life. Attendees will be led through a process of embodying the power and inspiration of their own nature encounter, and if they wish, they can share it publicly.
Alternative Impact Investment Structures:
There is a growing need for the impact investor and entrepreneurs to rethink how investments are made. How can impact investors and social entrepreneurs use investment structures to be more mission-aligned rather than push for a quick exit?
Tools of the venture capital trade are becoming increasingly popular, both among entrepreneurs and angel investors; but are SAFES and priced equity rounds the best options for impact investors and social enterprises? This working group explores alternatives to the VC toolkit; from revenue notes; to crowdfunding campaigns; to alternative corporate structures. We will develop case studies and best practices with a view toward educating the impact community and encouraging the broader use of alternative investment structures.
For more information, contact ASBN members:
Claude Arpels or
Babbie Jacobs
Transforming Business Ownership Project (TBOP):
The Transforming Business Ownership Project (TBOP) continues to advance its efforts in three key areas
1) Development of an Employer Pipeline for deal flow
2) Generation of Investor Interest, both individual and institutional
3) Passage and Implementation of innovative Public Policy measures.
On the last front, our efforts have assisted with the passage of SB 1407, the California Employee Ownership Act, however funding of the measure still needs be approved, and continued ASBN support is needed, especially from California based members. In addition to public educational events TBOP holds periodic strategy meetings to which you are welcome to participate. For more information about how to get involved, including supporting legislative engagement, visit our website and contact ASBN member Eric Leenson
Main Street Lending/CDFIs:
See our webpage for a listing of CDFIs that are able to accept investments from individuals.
Beyond Wall Street II: Investing to Dismantle Racism and Oppression Faith Based Community Convening coming in September
To educate and activate faith based organizations, foundations and individuals through a series of virtual events about the opportunities to participate in Community Investing, CDFIs, Community Land Trusts and other Main Street Lending. For more information or to include your Faith Based organization contact:
Tom Abood,
Babbie Jacobs or
Derek Peebles
Restorative Investing Task Force:
October Presentation - Beyond Impact Investing and ESG
The truth is the financial system and institutions are not broken, they are designed to oppress and create inequity. Without intentionality to address systems change, impact Investing’s “do good do well” approach and ESG merely perpetuate these inequities and oppression. Flowing capital to BIPOC businesses or benefitting BIPOC alone also isn’t enough as it doesn't address inequities in the due diligence process, the terms, the impact metrics and even reporting requirements. The Restorative Economies Fund at the Kataly Foundation is based on its CEO, Nwamaka Agbo's restorative economics framework and focuses on systems change for the prosperity of all. In this session, we will learn more about what intentional finance for systems change based on restorative economics look like, examine some examples of restorative investing, and also discuss the policy changes needed to make this approach successful.
Investor Education for those identifying as female:
Starting in July, the nonprofit organization
Invest for Better is launching 3-month “elective” courses that will complement our signature 6-month core curriculum on values-aligned investing based on Activate Your Money and Build a Better World by ASBN member Janine Firpo.. Like their 6-month Circles, these 3-month experiences will provide curated learning materials and engage women in conversations with other women in small groups that meet every month. They are designed to take participants deeper into topics of interest—and provide the knowledge and confidence to take action. New Invest for Better members with extensive prior experience in values-aligned investing may choose to enroll in Deep Dive courses without having completed the core curriculum (Learn more about this membership option
here). Additional details can be viewed
here. In late June we will assemble Circles for each course and specific virtual Circle meeting times will be scheduled based on member availability. To sign up for a Deep Dive course, please complete
this form as soon as possible. For more information contact
Babbie Jacobs.
Four “Deep Dive Courses” will be available to members in this first round (July-September 2022):
· Back to the Basics: Financial Planning
· Values Align Your Stock Portfolio
· How Angel Investing Works
·
Find a Values-Aligned Financial Advisor
