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SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING 2001: Making Money and Making a Difference
Cliff Feigenbaum and Ted Ketcham
In both our government and our financial markets, we find ourselves with less and yet more, - less
money in our investments but more experience and knowledge about the breadth of possibilities in
the investing world. Less Bush /Cheney cooperation for global warming issues, but more balance of
power in the U.S. Senate. It all seems part of the constancy of change or, as I like to call it,
"re-balancing." We go forth enjoying more power equilibrium in our government while still facing
some harsh reality in our investments.
The financial advice always went something like
"the key to successful investing is a long term investment strategy by managing risk through
diversification." Sounded good. More tech stocks please. Did we forget?
For the most part,
socially responsible investing (SRI) has always been about long term investing. A key indicator of
strong long-term performance of a company is how a company behaves towards its employees,
customers, the environment and community over time. Good companies do make money and make a
difference.
It is important to align your investments with your values to help create
positive social change. We all make a difference, - just ask Jim Jeffords, Senator from Vermont who
for reasons of conscience and personal values switched political parties. His heart-felt actions
defined re-balancing.
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