How Companies Can Make the Most of the Holiday Season

by Anne Rackow

Many holidays are celebrated out of the office by spending time with loved ones, eating particular foods, and participating in various family traditions. But what if they could also offer opportunities to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and make an impact? This goes for all holidays – even those you may forget about until you suddenly realize you have a three-day weekend. In fact, some of those national holidays might be the perfect places to start.

We first started thinking about this in response to Columbus Day, which we and many others now choose to refer to as Indigenous People’s Day. This day is an important opportunity for social impact, in particular, because of its controversial origin. In case you aren’t aware of what we’re referring to, here’s a little background:

 It is widely discussed that Columbus Day honors a man who did not discover America, but rather invaded a land populated by peaceful people, and then systematically enslaved and even murdered its inhabitants. This article by Irwin Ozborne explains in detail how Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of America “resulted in mass assimilation, raping, slaughtering, enslaving, and intention to wipe out all evidence of a native population of between 50 and 100 million indigenous people from the land — the greatest genocide in recorded history.“  Some of the atrocities he notes include: 

• Abducting and selling children into the sex trade as young as nine-years-old
• Mass raping of women and children
• The amputation of limbs if slaves were not producing ‘enough’
• Offering cash rewards for the scalps of men, women, and children as proof of murder
• Intentionally spreading smallpox disease, an early means of biological warfare
• Death marches of more than one-thousand miles to these reservations in which, if you were unable to continue the walk, you were left for dead with family members prohibited from offering assistance

As a result, many recognize that we either need to stop celebrating this tragic part of American history, or change who and what, specifically, we are honoring. Some states have already begun to do this. South Dakota has celebrated Native American Day instead of Columbus Day since 1990, and in recent years, cities and states like Seattle, Denver, and Vermont have also begun to acknowledge the injustices perpetrated against native populations by Columbus and his fellow explorers. They have renamed the holiday, and use the day to lead important conversations around the historical and current discrimination and maltreatment of indigenous people. 

Photo by Maranie Rae

That got us thinking about what we can do around holidays like Indigenous People’s Day, and other federal holidays that are less controversial but provide opportunities for impact nonetheless. While it’s wonderful for local community members and state governments to spread awareness and create change, we began to ask ourselves what socially conscious businesses could be doing on this holiday and other holidays to have a positive social impact on their employees, customers, and communities.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 50% of states and U.S. territories get time off from work for Indigenous People’s Day.  As a business, you have an opportunity to encourage a different, more informed, and respectful manner of celebration. For example:

• Refer to the second Monday of October as Indigenous People’s Day in relevant company documents and communication, regardless of what your city or state calls it
• Share information about why you’ve opted to make this change as a company
• Encourage your employees to attend an event or celebration hosted by an indigenous group on their day off
• If your local and state law allow for it, provide the option for employees to work on the second Monday of October in exchange for a different day of

For more ideas on how your business can honor indigenous populations, check out this article by Ecopreneurist.

Celebrating Other Holidays

While Columbus Day is in a league of its own in terms of impropriety, there are many other federal holidays that can also serve as opportunities to raise awareness and participate in service activities related to important social justice topics. When one of these holidays is approaching, contemplate what your company can do make the most of the day and the time off from work. You can start by asking yourself the following questions:

What is this holiday about, and what social justice issues are related to it? Here are some examples to get you started:

Veterans Day: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs calls Veterans Day, “a day to honor American veterans of all wars.”

Examples of Relevant Social Justice Topics:

• Veteran homelessness

• Mental health issues associated with military service

• Policies that make it difficult for veterans to seek treatment for their mental and physical health

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The King Center says, “the King Holiday honors the life and contributions of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a color-blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality.”

Examples of Relevant Social Justice Topics:

• Modern day racism in America

• Institutionalized racism

Labor Day: According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day “is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

Examples of Relevant Social Justice Topics:

• Setting a fair minimum wage across sectors

• American companies sourcing products made with slave labor

• The gender pay gap

Photo by Maranie Rae

How can I educate my employees or colleagues around these relevant social justice issues?

• Post informational flyers and handouts in break rooms, on community boards, and in other shared spaces
• Include a special feature section in the company newsletter that shares information on the topic and links to further reading or helpful resources
• Host a “lunch and learn” meeting where staff can volunteer their lunch hour to learn more about a topic or issue

How can I use this holiday to engage my employees in relevant activities that have a positive social impact?

• Host voluntary company-wide community service days on or around the holiday that take place in a location or with a population impacted by the topic
• Collect food, clothing, toys, or money for local communities impacted by the topic during the weeks leading up to the holiday

Are there steps we can take to raise awareness about the related social justice topic as a company?

• Share information and show support on your company’s social media platforms, as appropriate
• Encourage or incentivize employees to share information and show support on their personal social media networks

As we go into a holiday-heavy season, we’re starting to think through how we as a company can celebrate in a way that aligns with our own values, and help other companies do the same. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing tips on what your company can do to be socially conscious around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Do you have creative ideas on how companies can use holidays to do good? If so, please share with us by:

• Connecting on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Sending us an email
• Commenting below

Nurturing is a Superpower: How RESET is Supporting Women Differently

Over the past month, we’ve been interviewing some of the women we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with, who have developed initiatives that empower women.

One of these women is Cora Neumann, whose experience spans across sectors, but with a focus on positive impact across the board. For nearly 20 years, Cora has collaborated with local and national leaders in over 40 countries to help them develop strategies and programs that improve the lives of women and families, through corporate and policy work, as well as her own initiatives. She holds a doctorate in international development from the University of Oxford, UK., and an MPH in global public health from Columbia University.

Her impressive resume speaks for itself, but it’s just the beginning of why we wanted to share Cora’s story and work with you. It’s difficult, if even possible, to encompass all that Cora is doing to empower, support, and galvanize women on the global level. One of the most important aspects of her work is this: It comes from a place of love and nurturing. While she places a focus on the urgency around changing the world, there’s no pressure tied to it, just motivation.

To better capture Cora’s work, we connected with her to ask a few questions – here’s what she had to say:

Looking at your experience, a lot of your work has been focused on supporting changemakers, specifically women. Has this been your goal from the start, or has it evolved over time? 

RESET Founder Cora Neumann

I actually actively shied away from focusing on women at the beginning of my studies and career. I was working with refugees and rural communities in Asia and people would encourage me to add the ‘women’s perspective.’ I was committed to staying agnostic on gender, and also worried that might pigeon hole and restrict me to a subsector. Then, when I was approached by an acquaintance about assisting a group of First Ladies in Africa, something clicked. I felt suddenly deeply compelled to support these women. Although I had never worked with or even really thought about first ladies, I knew that, generally, the only attention they received was criticism for either doing too much or not enough. Like so many women in positions of power or influence, they were damned if they did, damned if they didn’t. Yet first ladies have so much potential to play a very important role in society.

A maternal instinct of sorts took over, and I felt if I didn’t build something that supported and leveraged their potential, someone else might try to take advantage of them. I am not implying that first ladies aren’t strong or empowered, but I saw a need there, and felt deeply compelled to jump right in with my particular mission to build a platform to empower them.

This past year, you started RESET with the goal of re-connecting changemakers to themselves, each other, and the earth. What inspired you to start RESET?

A major inspiration for RESET is my brother Wyatt. He passed away suddenly last year, and he and I were incredibly close, like twins. Wyatt lived every moment like it could be his last, he lived fully, bravely, loudly and with so much love for life and this world. RESET will honor his ‘lust for life’, and is also borne out of my own awakening through this trauma. I no longer feel we have time to waste. The world needs activated changemakers to stand up and fight for justice, peace, humanity and the planet. RESET Retreats and the Impact Series will bring leaders and changemakers (men and women, although we will have very tailored women-only retreats and programs as well) on journeys into self to connect with purpose, into community to connect with humanity, and into nature to reconnect with the planet. The goal is to awaken and activate, to help people find meaning and opportunities to make real impact during this chaotic and also exciting time. As Wyatt always said (and as he had tattooed broadly across his collarbones), ‘Moments Like This Never Last’. It’s true. They don’t. So let’s make the very most of it, and work our asses off to make the world a better more whole and connected place while we are here.

I also want to shout out to my amazing and totally heart-driven co-founders, Alma Lacour, Wasfia Nazreen and Stash Slionski. I am so excited to build this vision and work with them.

Let’s talk about RESET’s three main initiatives:

Your Impact Series brings world leaders, corporate executives, citizen activists, scientists, and innovators together to reset our collective course towards a healthier planet.

We know you’re in the early stages of building out these Impact Series, but could you share an example of one that is in the works? Who would be participating and what might the discussion and/or potential outcomes be?

One of our first more high profile Impact Series sessions will be ‘Celebrating Glaciers’, hosted in Iceland in Summer 2017. This 5-day event will bring changemakers from across sectors – politics, business, philanthropy, music and the creative industries – together to talk about and make commitments to issues that impact glaciers and climate change. One of the ideal outcomes: partnerships to help people make everyday but significant changes to reduce emissions or invest in renewable energy. President Obama has also announced that he will focus on climate issues once leaving office, so we hope to engage leaders like him, in this or a future event. Stay tuned to @resetlead on Instagram & Twitter for announcements.

Given the different agendas of the two presidential nominees, do you think that this series will be affected by the outcome of the election? If so, how?

I believe that regardless of who wins, this election cycle has been a major wake up call for many across this country, and across the world. We’ve seen an incredibly positive response to RESET already, and I think it correlates with how disoriented people are by the fact that Trump has made it this far, and about the misogyny and blatant racism that has emerged through the process. There is huge disillusionment and distress, and people are looking for meaning, connection, purpose, answers, hope. We will explore all of this through our series, with the goal of helping people feel more empowered to create change in their own lives and in the world. There really is a lot to be hopeful and excited about, and each of us has more influence than we realize.

RESET also puts on Women’s Retreats for female leaders who are looking to reconnect with themselves and the world around them. How are these different from other retreats for women?

I am applying the curriculum I developed for First Ladies, as well as the work I’ve done with more than 100 women CEOs, entrepreneurs and political leaders around the world to help women connect to and act on their purpose. There are many wonderful women’s retreats out there, and I am so happy to see a rising focus on self-care and empowerment for women. Our series will add an element of purpose and meaning, will cultivate community among the participants, and will match women to causes if they feel moved to activate on or deepen their purpose. Participants may also move on to participate in the Impact Series, which focuses more specifically on impact.

Finally, you facilitate the Global First Ladies Alliance, which was started as its own entity in 2008 to support first ladies, individually and collectively, in their efforts to advance women’s leadership in all sectors of society. What was the problem you were aiming to solve when you first started the Global First Ladies Alliance?

Cora with First Lady Dr. Kaseba (Zambia), and First Lady Koroma (Sierra Leone) during the 2013 First Ladies Summit in Tanzania, which brought 12 African First Ladies, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush together to discuss challenges facing women and girls in Africa. 

As noted before, when I started this work in 2008, first ladies were largely neglected by the international community. Although many were engaged in powerful work, they weren’t highlighted as leaders, and when they were invited to participate in events or summits, they were generally asked to speak on behalf of someone else’s agenda. I wanted to create a program that focused on and promoted the work of first ladies themselves. To date, we have worked with all of the US first ladies, many first ladies from Africa and Europe – a total of 42 first ladies offices so far.

How has the Global First Ladies Alliance evolved over time?

We were extremely committed to co-creating this program together with first ladies (including financially – they sponsored their own participation entirely). They requested workshops for themselves and training for their staff. The program evolved into a leadership program of sorts, focused on helping first ladies and their senior advisors design and use their platform to impact the most change – mainly on issues related to women and girls. We are in the process of finalizing a ‘First Ladies Handbook’, co-authored by First Ladies and their offices, on how to develop and run an effective office.

What role does the Alliance play in regard to RESET’s mission?

It exists as a foundation for our continued focus on women’s leadership. We also aim to engage First Ladies and government agencies, like National Forest Service and relevant ministries, in our Impact Series where and when relevant.

We love your focus on wellness and connection. What advice do you have for women and leaders in regards to self-care and community?

RESET Co-Founders Cora Neumann and Alama Lacour

Number 1: Do your best to fully unplug, ideally through sitting or moving meditation, for at least 10 minutes/day. I have been practicing transcendental meditation since I was 26 and have seen such profound transformation in myself and in people who practice regularly. The fact that it can be so hard to sit still for a brief time each day is evidence in and of itself of how powerful this practice is.

Number 2: Get yourself a ‘Fight Club’ or small group of women ready to stand by you through any possible up or down. We need each other. And you may be surprised how much support floods in when you finally ask for help and/or open yourself up to love and nurturing in this way. One of my mottos is: nurturing is a superpower. Accept it, give it, support it…you’ll be surprised how powerful it can be.

hat has been the most rewarding part of your work to connect and support individuals, especially women, in their efforts to make an impact and maintain balance in their personal and professional lives? Is there a particular moment or story that stands out to you?

I have been truly stunned by the power of empowerment. Taking a new tack with leaders like First Ladies – asking them what they need instead of telling them what the world needs from them – has been a game changer. Supporting leaders, and especially women leaders, to see, own and use their strengths is transformative.

One of my favorite quotes is from the former First Lady of Kenya, who said, “When we met Cora, we were on a train… now we are on a plane and the possibilities are endless!” The First Lady of Sierra Leone has also told me, “You have amongst your strengths the gift of telling me whom I am.” Through the process of helping the First Ladies feel seen, heard, and empowered, we were able to help them step onto the global stage with more confidence and determination, and to launch and/or scale major national programs and strategies that have impacted millions.

We’re so excited to see how RESET continues to grow and support women across the globe! To stay in-the-know, you can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

If you know of a women-led business or organization that is changing the game for women, tell us about them! We’d love to connect with them. Here's how: 

• Connect on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Comment below

Women Supporting Women: Changemaker Chats’ Innovative Platform for Connection

As a women-led business, the WhyWhisper team understands the unique challenges that women face in the workplace. In fact, one of our founder’s motivations for starting our firm was her desire to build a business that supports women and have the opportunity to influence others to do the same.

In many professional settings, women experience debilitating bias, both unconscious and otherwise, and are forced to learn how to navigate through it. Figuring out how to do this alone isn’t easy, and perhaps the most powerful way that women can support each other is through the sharing of stories and learnings in a raw and honest way.

Many women have an array of personal and professional goals that don’t fit any specific mold or path, but the need for support by way of real answers to real questions is prevalent across the board. That’s where Changemaker Chats come in.

Changemaker Chats are intimate salons that bring women together to share their experiences and build relationships, while learning practical tips to advance positive changes at work, at home, and in their communities. So far, they are in 4 cities, including New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Boulder. They’ve hosted speakers such as Kathy Calvin, President & CEO of UN Foundation, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Founder and President of Joyus, and Helene Gayle, CEO of McKinsey Social Initiative.

We’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with founders Jessica Johnston and Briana Ferrigno, and were excited to interview them about their own experiences and learnings: 

What led you to start these chats initially? 

As with many good ideas, Changemaker Chats was started over drinks. :-)

It’s no surprise that women care deeply about excelling in our jobs, achieving happiness at home, and being forces for good in our communities. When we would get together for drinks, our conversations often touched upon all of these topics. Yet, inevitably we'd find ourselves asking questions about how other senior women achieved their goals, how they handled challenges in the workplace, had navigated different career decisions/transitions, and how they balanced their professional ambitions with personal goals.

To answers these questions, we’d typically turn to the usual advice: reading the latest books and advice columns, seeking out women leaders for guidance, and turning to our friends to ask questions we were afraid to ask others.

But we realized this approach was inefficient and, often, ineffective. There are not enough hours in the day to read everything! Even if we could, much guidance comes from women who are not yet in the upper echelons, or from women who are but cannot speak the raw, uncut truth publicly. One-on-ones with women leaders are hard to pin down, so we go to our friends for counseling, which doesn’t work as well when we’re all looking for the same advice.

We'd had enough! And so we decided to start Changemaker Chats as an effort to leverage our collective networks of like-minded women to overcome these challenges, and hear ‘real stories’ from inspiring women.

How is Changemaker Chats different from other forums or networking groups for women, and why does it matter?

The primary purpose in attending a Changemaker Chat is not to network. Networking is a nice by-product of the experience, but it is not the reason why we started the chats, and it is not the primary reason why women attend.

Women attend our chats to invest in themselves, and that happens in various ways. For some women, it might be a treat to hear from a speaker she has long admired. For others, it may be a chance to connect with other women, hear their stories and disconnect from work. And then for others, it may be a night away from their kids to hang with other women in their communities who care about advancing positive change. (Just ask our mamas in Boulder!).

We also care a lot about inclusion. For us, there is only one prerequisite for the chats:  you must care about advancing positive change in the world.

The chats are an authentic, in-the-moment experience. No phones, no live tweeting, no pitching. We are there to ask those questions that have been tough to ask, in a setting that is private and real.

How has Changemaker Chats changed over time, and how do you envision them evolving as you move forward? 

We've grown! However, the format and quality of the chats remains consistent throughout. It’s important for us to create an atmosphere where we can be open enough to explore so many topics and issues pertinent to women but in a way that remains interesting, respectful, and insightful.

Going forward, we’re excited to continue offering our staple ‘chats’ while building out new offerings that help women take deep dives into the very real challenges we face. We’ve started testing these workshops in New York and so far – with workshops on goal setting and taking risks – they have been received really well. We’re excited to expand moving forward.

What has been the most rewarding part of creating this space for women? Do you have any particular stories that come to mind?

The most rewarding moments come in a few different ways:

First is that, at the beginning of each chat, we ask each woman to introduce herself and share where they work or their field. With so many impressive, diverse women sitting in one place, this is the moment when you realize, “Wow these women are amazing.” We love it every time.

Second, we love hearing women in our network tell us that a chat changed her perspective, or encouraged her to take a risk that she wouldn’t have otherwise without having been inspired by a chat. This happens all the time.

Finally, we love hearing how chats have offered practical, actionable advice to women – whether that is negotiating a raise, landing a new job, or overcoming a difficult situation. We get this type of feedback often, and it makes the chats all the more worth it.

Following last month’s Women’s Equality Day, we wrote about how one of the places where women are still unequal is in the workplace. Do you have any advice for women who want to step up as leaders at work, but are experiencing barriers in doing so?

We have lots! We post recaps of our chats on our website, and they are full of lessons learned and wisdom passed down from female leaders on how to tackle the myriad challenges that early and mid-career women face in the workplace. Here are a few of them:

• Don’t go into any battle without knowing your opponent: Do the hard work, prepare, and understand what motivates the individuals you need to influence. – Maria Eitel, Chairman, Girl Effect | Co-Chair, Nike Foundation
• Find a friend: When facing unconscious bias at work, find an ally, someone who can be your advocate – and male allies can work great.  How to pick the right one? Find an empathetic person on the team, then ask this person to observe the situation over time, and speak up for you when they see bias playing out. This can be much more effective than you advocating for yourself. – Judith Williams, Global Head of Diversity, Dropbox
• People create initiatives:  Positive change must be inclusive. It can’t come as ‘an initiative’ from HR, or from the top down – it has to come from the people. ‘Your whole team has to take charge of the problems and come up with innovative solutions. If it’s not their idea, it’s not likely they are going to feel connected to creating the change. When everyone feels connected, they create change and learn how to lead. Change doesn’t have to start with minorities and it doesn’t have to come from the top. Let the people lead the way.’ – Sonya Hausafus, CMO, Techstars
• Leading with head and heart: When thinking about leadership, we all need to craft our own style. – Peggy Clark, VP of Policy Programs, ED of Aspen Global Health and Development, and Director of the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise at The Aspen Institute.

We'd encourage women to check out some of what our speakers have shared, and join us at one of our upcoming Chats. And if you don't see a Changemaker Chat network in their city and are interested in starting one, we’d love to hear from you! 

We’re so inspired by the work that Jessica, Briana, and all of the women involved with Changemaker Chats are doing to support one another and build safe spaces to learn from and connect with one another. We can’t wait to see what they do next! If you’d like to follow along, check them out on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

If you know of a women-led business or organization that is changing the game for women, tell us about them! We’d love to connect with them.

Challenging the Norm: How Sukoon is Building a More Inclusive World

Most are likely to agree that when it comes to athletic apparel, comfort is key. After all, whether you’re on a hike or at the gym, the last thing you want to be thinking about is your clothes. Unfortunately, while workout apparel for women has evolved over the years, there is still work to be done to ensure that every woman has access to the gear that works best for her.

Enter Sukoon Active, a movement that is redefining women’s activewear by providing athletic gear that is high-performing, modest, and on trend. Sukoon’s founder, Arshiya Kherani, started the company based on her belief is that no woman’s activewear needs should ever be overlooked. She launched a Kickstarter campaign in June to fund the first round of production, and in just thirty days, it blew past its initial goal of $10,000, reaching $26,565. Committed to empowering women and girls through sports, she personally matched 10% of funds raised, and donated them to the Zaatari Taekwondo Academy in Jordan, an organization that empowers the next generation of women by teaching Syrian refugee children independence, discipline, and a tangible skill-set in martial arts.  As a result of their donation, the Academy secured additional space for girls' classes, and purchased new mats and protective equipment.

Now, the Sukoon team is working to find the right production facility – one that will allow them to produce top quality products while maintaining fair trade standards. It’s companies like Sukoon that are truly changing the face of business, and we’re lucky enough to have worked closely alongside them as they crowdfunded and built out their brand.

Recently, we connected with Arshiya to ask her a couple of questions – here’s what she had to say:

For those who are first learning of your brand, we would love for you to share: Why did you decide to start Sukoon?

About a year and a half ago, I was running my first half marathon. It was pouring rain, and within a few feet of crossing the start line, I ran through an ankle deep puddle. I thought things couldn't get any worse…until around mile 7 when I reached under my hood to readjust my bandana, and it wasn't there.

I have worn hijab for years and have struggled with finding the appropriate activewear, specifically, an activewear hijab that was comfortable, and would stay dry and in place. Because I couldn't find what I needed at an athletic apparel store, my mom helped me make a handful of lightweight bandanas. They worked well enough until race day. But when I realized it wasn't there anymore, I was mortified. It felt like that bad dream where you show up to school naked - except it was my real life. For the rest of the race, I was terrified of what would happen if the sun came out or my hood fell off, but I thankfully managed to cross the finish line and breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I grew up playing competitive sports, but in the years since I started wearing hijab, there have been far too many moments when I’ve felt disconnected from what I love. I always have to think twice about how to secure my hijab under a helmet, or what materials are going to keep my head comfortable during a run. Sometimes, I have opted of out of participating entirely because of the anxiety that comes with a lack of appropriate apparel. After that race, it occurred to me that I wouldn’t go out in a thunderstorm wearing a makeshift raincoat, so why was I choosing to accept that I needed to work out in a makeshift hijab? That was the experience that inspired me to start Sukoon Active. It's time to challenge the norm.

What obstacles have you faced in bringing your activewear line to the mainstream? How have you addressed those obstacles?

I believe the challenges we’ve encountered at Sukoon are similar to those faced by many other start-ups. The activewear market is quickly becoming oversaturated, so since the start, we have been largely focused on differentiating our brand and products by becoming very familiar with our customer and market.

We’ve observed that in today’s political climate, hijab and modesty are sometimes viewed as controversial. At Sukoon, we don't see it that way. On the contrary, these concepts are the champions of our brand because they’re important to our customer. We want to enable women to live the lives they want to live. To deliver on that promise, our number one focus is and will always be the voice of our customer: women whose activewear needs are not being addressed by the current market.

Sukoon’s mission to provide modest women with clothing options that work for them is especially relevant in light of recent events in France, where a number of towns along the French Riviera banned the wearing of burqinis, saying that they aren’t “in line with France’s secular views.” As you likely know, this has sparked a number of debates, one of which is centered on why women should have to cover themselves at all. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls contends that secularism was only one of the reasons for the bans. The other, he argues, is that women should not have to wear burqinis in order to swim in public. What are your thoughts on his argument?

I was 19 years old and studying abroad in Florence when I first thought about wearing hijab. I was hardly old enough to pick my college major, and yet, it took me just a few moments to decide that I was going to wear hijab. I was sitting in a mosque in Fez during Friday prayer, and the sermon was in a language I couldn’t understand. While the melody of an unfamiliar language floated around me, I was stunned by the beauty of the mosque I was in. Calligraphy was carved and painted into the walls and ceilings, and sunlight was flooding in through the huge windows. In that moment, it felt like every single person around me seemed just as content as I was.

I remember feeling such a distinct moment of belief and clarity, and that’s all it took. I felt connected to my faith and my community and suddenly it was so simple: hijab would be a way for me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Ever since, hijab has been my anchor. It has had such a profound impact on who I am, on the good, kind person I aspire to be, and I can’t think of anything else to say to Mr. Valls except: Mr. Valls, why would you take my anchor away from me?

During this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio, fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Games wearing a hijab. She said that she is not just aiming “to challenge misconceptions outside the Muslim community, but within the Muslim community. I want to break cultural norms.” While we know you can’t speak to her personal motivations, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how this might  affect the way that female Muslim athletes view their participation in athletic activities. What cultural norms is Sukoon hoping to break?

Ibtihaj Muhammad is such a rockstar! Like many others, we’ve been paying close attention to her this year. She has proven herself to be a trailblazer for not just Muslim female athletes, but minorities all over the world. She is a champion for millions whose identities, loyalties, and humanity are under close scrutiny right now. While Muhammad has long been in the public eye, watching her lead the American team in the Opening Ceremony in Rio this summer – up front and center right next to the American icon Michael Phelps – well quite honestly, it blew me away.

Wearing a hijab doesn’t make it any less important to take care of your body, to pursue your dreams and to uphold your values. These things go hand in hand. For women who wear hijab, putting on a hijab in the morning is just as essential as putting on pants; and yet, there are only a handful of brands around the world that cater to Muslim female athletes. In numerous interviews, Muhammad has said that her mother encouraged her to try fencing because the uniform wouldn’t be a problem with her hijab. I guess I just wonder, what if the burqini had been a viable option when Muhammad was choosing her sport? Would she have been swimming against Katie Ledecky in Rio instead of competing in the fencing tournament?

Muhammad has played an incredible role in unpacking a deeply political conversation around hijab in the West, but what about the other conversation, the one we’re still not having? The one about how women shouldn’t have to choose their sport and develop their talents based on the availability of a uniform? Athletes like Muhammed have inspired me to rally for inclusivity in activewear so that women have the right to choose the apparel - and the sport - that they most identify with, without having to think about how it fits into their personal, religious and cultural preferences.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting a venture with a goal of breaking down longstanding norms?

I’ll pass on the best advice I’ve gotten in the past 18 months: Haters gonna hate!

About halfway through our Kickstarter campaign, the Huffington Post covered our story. When it came out, I kept thinking to myself, Can somebody pinch me? I was amazed and excited and inspired...I felt proud of the work my team and I had done, and I was in awe that the world was paying attention.

But then, I scrolled down to the comments and quickly learned the lesson that too many have learned before: the Internet can be a horrible, scary hole of negativity. Within a few minutes, my confidence was destroyed and I felt heartbroken.

My friends, family and advisors have since reminded me countless times that those are not the people that matter. The three most important lessons I learned from that experience?

1. Don’t read the comments when people write about you! We are human, and other humans can be hurtful…. it doesn’t do you any good to take the wrong people to heart.
2. When you’re doing something big, something life changing, what matters is the people whose lives you are changing. Haters are gonna hate...and most likely they are hating because they are not facing the problem you’re trying to solve.
3. If you really want to change the game, you have to keep going. If you don’t, who else is going to do it?

What has been the most rewarding part of building a business that provides women with greater options for exercising comfortably? Is there a particular moment or story that stands out to you?

Every day, I receive messages like the following in my inbox, from friends and individuals all over the world who need the options that Sukoon is working to provide:

“I’m starting to play in a soccer league and the games start tomorrow and I am NOT excited about figuring out a hijab. I can’t wait until this isn’t a problem anymore.”

“As an outdoors enthusiast who wears a hijab, I have been longing for products like these. Thank you very much Arshiya for creating Sukoon! When are you launching in the UK?”

These stories – not just one, but literally hundreds that have flooded my inbox since I started this project – are what makes Sukoon so rewarding. One of my advisors has consistently nudged me to build momentum more quickly, arguing that if I truly believe that Sukoon is solving a global problem, then we need to build this company with a sense of urgency. These individuals’ stories strengthen my passion and belief in the power of inclusive fashion and how big of an impact it can play in someone’s life.

Is there anything that you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started Sukoon?

Haha, well how long do you have? Let me give you a year and a half of journal entries…(just kidding)! One thing that I wish I had known is that when people say you have to wear many hats, they mean it! I recently read an article by Phoebe Lovatte, the founder of The WW Club, and she said, “Wearing so many hats can be mentally draining but it's what being a small business-owner is all about. You have to find ways to stay motivated and energized and, quite frankly, sane! It's really hard for me to take time off and I certainly haven't chosen this path as a way to get rich quick. But I believe that a successful life is about making choices that align with your values.” I couldn’t have said it better.

I knew that starting a business was going to be hard work, but looking back on what I thought it was going to be and what it has been...well, to say the least, they are wildly different. I have learned so much more than I thought I needed to know, and that has been one of the most wonderful parts of this process, but if I had known...I probably would have appreciated my free time a lot more…and I probably would have taken a lot more naps before I started!

Arshiya’s work to challenge norms around women’s activewear is so inspiring, and we are proud to support her efforts to contribute to a more inclusive world. Follow along with Sukoon’s progress on their Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, and sign up for the pre-order list on their website. Have questions for her? Feel free to comment below!

Why We’re Placing a Focus on Women Changemakers

In today’s world, women continue to face biases and obstacles that they must overcome and break down in order to succeed. This is true for women of all ages, in every country, and across each sector.

At WhyWhisper, we choose to work with teams that hire people of all genders, and treat them fairly. We also have the incredible opportunity to work with inspiring women who are focused on social and environmental change, as well as on creating a better world for other women.

That’s why this month, we’re launching an interview series that will feature female changemakers who are boldly addressing the unique issues that women face every day.

These issues are complex and nuanced, and require strategic attention. We can’t rely on the natural progression of our social and political systems to lead to the necessary change – we need to make a concerted effort toward a more fair and equal world.

Why do we need to make such an intentional effort? Let’s look no further than this summer’s headlines:

Women are still being told what to wear.

via New York Times

Last month, a number of towns along the French Riviera banned the wearing of burkinis, a type of body-covering swimwear that some hijab-wearing Muslim women choose to wear when swimming in public. The reason for the ban is that they aren’t “in line with France’s secular views,” but the issue here extends far beyond the argument around whether or not the garment is attached to a particular religion. In fact, one of the main controversies that has stemmed from the ban is around women’s freedom to dress how they feel comfortable, and whether or not the government should be able to regulate that. It’s hard to believe that in 2016, male police in developed democracies can still stop a woman on the beach and force her to change her clothing.

Female athletes are still being referred to secondarily.

via Huffington Post

This year’s Olympics marked an important shift for female athletes with women making up nearly 45% of competing athletes, the highest percentage in Olympic history. That’s an exciting milestone, and one that we acknowledge and applaud, but unfortunately, sexism around coverage of these athletes’ performance was still very prevalent. To name just a few examples, when U.S. trap shooter Corey Cogdell-Unrein of won a bronze medal at this year’s Olympics, the headline announcing her win in the Chicago Tribune referred to her only as the wife of a Bears lineman, not by her name. And when U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky set a new world record for the women’s 800 freestyle and Michael Phelps tied for silver during 100 meter butterfly race, the Associated Press put out a headline that started with “Phelps ties for silver in 100 fly” in large, bold letters, followed by “Ledecky sets world record in women’s 800 freestyle” in smaller text. These are two of many examples of how the incredible athletic accomplishments of women at this year’s Games were unfairly overshadowed in favor of men.

Women in politics are still being judged for their appearance.

via NY Mag

For the first time in United States history, we have a woman as a major party presidential nominee. Yet when that woman, Hillary Clinton, gave her victory speech in New York after winning the state’s primary election in April, almost all we heard about was her expensive jacket. It would be one thing if that were an isolated incident or we judged male politicians in the same manner, but it wasn’t, and we don’t. Hillary is one of many female politicians who are under constant fire for their appearance, from their hairstyles, to their weight. Female politicians are judged for their looks far more than men in a way that is distracting and demeaning, and their competitors have even been known to use their looks as fuel against them on occasion. It’s time we put these kinds of observations to rest, across every sector.

These are just a few of the biases and barriers that women in the news faced this summer, but we’re ready to share what’s happening on the other side of the coin – how women are making substantive positive impact in their communities and beyond, and changing the game for other women all over the world. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for their inspiring stories.

Do you know of a female changemaker who is working to make the world a better place for women? Tell us about her! We want to share her story. Here’s how:

• Connect on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Comment below

Women in the Workplace: What Employers Can Do to Support & Empower Female Employees

Last week, we celebrated Women’s Equality Day, a day that commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows women to vote. This finally took place in 1920, after a 72-year-long civil rights movement that formally began with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention for women’s rights.

While gender equality has certainly come a long way since then, Women’s Equality Day still acts as a necessary reminder of the ways in which women are still unequal. One of these ways is in the workplace, where women often hold fewer positions of leadership, are paid less, and face barriers around balancing work and family life. And these inequities and barriers are even more apparent for women of color. In order to address these issues and create the systemic change that needs to happen around gender inequity in the workplace, employers need to first evaluate their own policies and workforce, so as to identify where changes are needed. Here’s where they can start:

Leadership

via Unsplash

Did you know that there are more CEOs named David than there are female CEOs? And only 5% of CEOs in the S&P 500 are women. The inequity is even more apparent for women of color, who make up on 0.4% of that number. If you look at the numbers, this major disparity is true across all sectors. 

Why does this matter?

It’s not just an issue of equality for the sake of equality – though that’s incredibly important – it’s also better for a company’s bottom line to have more women in the C-Suite. A recent study showed that when there is an even gender split in the C-Suite, revenues increase by up to 41%, and companies with more female representation in top management see 34% greater returns to stakeholders. And remember that 5% of female CEOs in the S&P 500? Those companies have historically outperformed the S&P 500 index and generate 7% of the group’s total revenue. 

So making sure that women are equally represented in leadership positions isn’t just good for women – it’s good for the bottom line. For those employers who have a distinct gender gap in leadership, your best move is to first acknowledge that gap, and actively and strategically work to address it.

Equal Pay 

Though some argue the numbers, the generally accepted data around the gender pay gap says that women earn just 79 cents for every dollar men earn. While this is of course not the case in every workplace, it is the average, and it hasn’t changed significantly since 2000. 

Why does this matter?

Women are being paid less for doing the same work as men. While some studies do show that the gap decreases when you compare men and women with the same job titles, there is still a gap in those cases as well. It’s difficult to definitively account for why this gap exists, and there are likely many factors at play, including the fact that less women hold leadership positions, women may negotiate smaller salaries than men, and, sometimes, outright gender bias. 

Regardless of the reason, companies who are interested in creating equal workplaces should take time to evaluate what they’re paying their female employees versus what they’re paying their male employees, and make sure that the numbers are equal for equal work.

Paid Leave

via Unsplash

Right now, only 13% of workers in the United States have access to paid leave through their employers. While every worker will likely need to take a leave during their employment, whether to take care of a family member, address one of their own health concerns, or care for a child, the lack of laws around paid leave disproportionately affect women. The United States is one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t offer paid leave to new mothers, who often need time at home after work for a number of reasons: to physically recover from childbirth, take care of and breastfeed their new babies, and care for themselves mentally during a new phase of life, to name just a few.

Why does this matter?

As a result of these laws, many new mothers are forced to return to work 3 weeks after their babies are born, if not sooner, and find childcare for their newborns, which can be difficult physically and emotionally. Beyond that, lack of paid leave can lead to “poverty spells” in families where mothers have to temporarily leave work without pay after having a baby. Beyond that, companies should consider that paid family leave increases employee retention, which ultimately saves employers money due to reduced turnover costs. 

Breastfeeding

via Flickr

While federal law mandates that mothers be given breaks to pump their breast milk upon returning to work, as well as a place to do it, the conditions under which many employers fulfill this law are often less than ideal.

Why does this matter?

Breastfeeding mothers are often put in very difficult positions when re-entering the workforce after childbirth. While most states do protect mothers’ rights to breastfeed in public, the lack of privacy and social norms are what makes it difficult for mothers to pump when they return to work. Many new mothers are forced to pump in bathrooms or supply closets, which can be embarrassing, physically awkward, and even unsanitary. This can have a negative effect on company culture, and even cause new mothers who don’t have paid leave to quit their jobs, which leads to many of the issues described above.

As an increasing number of companies choose to focus on employee health and wellness, fair and equal workplace policies for all employees must be a substantial part of the conversation. 

Do you know of a company that has done a noteworthy job of creating or maintaining gender equality in their workplace? Tell us about them! We want to know what they’re up to. Here’s how:

• Connect on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Comment below

These Companies Are Making a Difference in Louisiana

Two weeks ago, Southeast Louisiana was hit with unprecedented flooding that killed thirteen and left tens of thousands without homes. In response to the flooding and subsequent displacement, several companies have taken action to support Louisiana residents in need. Here’s how they’ve set out to help:

Airbnb

via Mashable

For those whose homes were destroyed or badly damaged, immediate shelter was needed. While organizations like the Red Cross have provided shelter to more than 10,000, which is incredibly helpful, these shelters are often crowded and temporary. In an effort to provide other options to those who were displaced, Airbnb activated their “Disaster Response Tool,” originally developed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Through the tool, the company emailed everyone with a space listed in nearby areas to request that they offer their listings for free to those in need of shelter. As of earlier this week, over 250 Airbnb hosts had offered up their spaces for free.

Walmart

via KLFY

In the week following the floods, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation provided cash and in-kind donations of $500,000 to organizations focused on relief efforts. Donations supported organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, who are working with local and state officials to coordinate their relief efforts in affected areas. As part of the same donation, Walmart sent truckloads of water to shelters in the affected areas.

AT&T

via WSET

In the days following the flooding, mobile company AT&T responded in several ways: First, it gave people the opportunity to donate $10 to flood relief efforts by texting “RELIEF” to 80077. All funds collected go directly to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation Louisiana Flood Relief Fund. The $10 donation is added to customers’ bills, but text message fees do not apply. The company also announced that it would not charge those in affected areas for data overages. In the hours and days following the flooding, many of those in a state of emergency went over their allotted data plans in an attempt to contact loved ones, find shelter, and meet their immediate needs. AT&T’s overage forgiveness will prevent them from having to pay fees for their usage. Some also experienced outages as a result of the flooding, and did not have cell phone service. For them, AT&T is providing a credit worth 50 percent off of the cost of their monthly service. Even further, the company donated an additional $100,000 to relief efforts, half of which will go to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation Louisiana Flood Relief Fund, and half of which will go to DonorsChoose.org, to help restore K-12 schools impacted by the floods.

Fannie Mae

via Louisiana Law Blog

When natural disasters hit, costly damages often have long-term, debilitating affects. Upwards of 40,000 homes were affected as a result of the floods in Louisiana, and many of those whose homes remained intact experienced extensive damage to their belongings. Because the floods occurred in areas that were not considered to be in “flood plains,” many residents whose homes and possessions were damaged did not have flood insurance. In order to alleviate some financial stress, Fannie Mae has made a great effort to remind those affected of their options around mortgage assistance. For single-family mortgages, for example, “servicers have the ability to grant an initial period of forbearance to any borrower they believe has been affected by this natural disaster,” temporarily suspending or reducing their mortgage payments for up to 90 days. The company has also authorized servicers to hold off on foreclosure sales and other legal proceedings around mortgage payments. While these elements were included in their guidelines prior to the flooding, we think it’s noteworthy that Fannie Mae has been thoughtful about how they can relieve further stress and disruption in the lives of those affected by natural disasters.

Small Businesses

Small businesses from all over the country have responded to the needs of those affected. For example:

• Cloud’s Meats, a small meat processing company based out of Missouri, sent more than 2,000 beef snacks to the hardest hit areas in Baton Rouge. Southern Uniform, a nearby uniform and equipment company, paid for shipping.
• Off the Hook Fish House in Ocean Springs, MI, has been collecting supplies from its patrons to send to Louisiana since the days following the flood.
• Wallace Resources, a Mississippi-based firm, organized over 250 volunteers to clean up affected businesses in the Baton Rouge area.

We are continuously amazed by the ways in which companies use their products and services for good, particularly in times of emergency.

Do you know of a company that has chosen to do so, whether in response to the Louisiana floods or otherwise? Let us know about them, so we can share their stories with the rest of our community:

• Social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Email
• Comment below

If you’re looking for a way to help out in Louisiana yourself, here are some great options.

3 Ways We Can Do Better in Planning the Olympics

The Olympic Games are meant to be inspiring and uplifting, focusing on the promise of our youth, focusing on our shared humanity, and, ultimately, providing income and positive press to host countries all over the world. But the broader impact on this year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding areas has not been as positive – as has been the case for many host countries. As we discussed in last week’s blog post, it’s been a tumultuous experience for the country, which is going through a major recession and experiencing a great deal of violence, both related and unrelated to the Olympics.

In an effort to reframe the discussion and prepare for a better Olympic future, it’s important to explore what we can learn from what’s happened in Rio, and what we can do better next time. Here are some of our ideas:

Prioritize host country residents

Because many countries view hosting the Olympics as a positive thing, both in terms of pride and even financially, selected host countries often go out of their way to bolster their infrastructure and hide anything that could be deemed as an obvious shortcoming from the international eye. As a result, planners often disregard the needs of the host country’s residents, and even displace them for the sake of the games. In fact, more than 77,000 people were forcibly evicted in preparation for the Rio Games, in order to build more infrastructures.

While this may have been deemed necessary in the short-term, in the long run, the relocation of these individuals and families will likely prove to be problematic. Regardless of the work that needs to be done to support the Games, it’s in the best interest of the host country to find ways to incorporate the necessary infrastructure without permanently affecting its residents.

Make sustainability a major part of the plan

Though Brazil made big promises around sustainability to the International Olympic Committee in its 2009 bid, they haven’t followed through on many. In fact, the environmental situation in Brazil is looking as bad as it ever has. Right before the Games started, Olympic water tests showed 1.7 million times what would be considered a concerning level for viruses.

Also, before the Olympics even started Brazil already had a major problem with traffic (as the fourth most congested city in the world). To alleviate that, the city built a subway expansion that ended up costing $3 billion. They also constructed a bike path, which collapsed before the Games started. While we commend these efforts to plan for more sustainable transportation options, in the end, Rio’s already heavily polluted air will only be worse off as a result of the Olympics.

From the infrastructure, to the transportation needs, to way in which the Games are powered, sustainability needs to be an integral consideration in every step of the planning process if we want to see improvements next time around.

Incorporate social and environmental responsibility into corporate sponsorships

 As we discussed last week, corporations who sponsor the Olympics have a tremendous opportunity to add social and/or environmental value to the Games’ host countries in their sponsorships. What that looks like, specifically, will and should depend on who the sponsor is, and what their own values are.

One great way that corporations can make a difference is by working with planners to make the Games more sustainable. Some great options are donating or subsidizing eco-friendly products and transportation options, providing recycling opportunities to attendees, or offering alternative energy sources to offset the enormous environmental costs of powering the Games.

Beyond sustainability, corporations can help solve a lot of the other problems that the Olympics cause for host countries. To name just a few, they can partner with local organizations to determine how to best serve a host country’s residents, or even awareness campaigns around issues like human trafficking and increased violence around the Games. If corporations take the time to be strategic about the ways that they can most effectively create positive change in host countries, align their sponsorships to their values, and set attainable goals, a lot of good can come from corporate sponsorships.

Do you have ideas for how the Olympic Games could be developed and held in more sustainable and socially responsible ways? Share with us! Let’s get these ideas out there. Here’s how: Connect with us on social (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), send us an email, or comment below.

Rio 2016: Why We Need Corporate Sponsors to Step Up

by Kate Vandeveld

The Olympic Games are an opportunity for countries all over the world to come together and feel proud. That said, they are also problematic. They are incredibly expensive to host, and utilize a lot of taxpayer money in countries that have much more pressing needs. They also require the building of many new, often temporary and shoddily built, infrastructure, and a great deal of short-term beautification that is not for the city’s general betterment, but for the sake of public perception.

What’s happening in this year’s Olympics, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is no exception. In fact, in many ways, it’s exemplary of all that’s wrong with the Olympics.

One major issue is that Brazil is currently experiencing its biggest recession since the 1930s.  To host the Olympics, the Brazilian government spent a whopping $4.6 billion –  “a conservative estimate that covers facilities used for sports only.” With all other expenses included, that number rises to $12 billion. Given the state of the country’s economy and the fact that the country’s entire budget for 2015 was $631 billion, that’s no small number. Though the hope is that Brazil will make money in the end, that hasn’t been the case in Olympics past; in the end, hosting the Olympics will likely do nothing positive for the country’s economy.

Olympic host countries like Brazil often go to great lengths in an attempt to put their best faces on, often to their detriment in the long term. Remember what happened in Sochi? After the Russian government sank $51 billion into the 2014 Winter Olympics, the Olympic park now lies “desolate and abandoned,” and the same goes for many of the hotels and tourist attractions that were erected for the Games.

Another major issue, as is the case with many large-scale sporting events, is the increase in unfair labor, violence and trafficking that happens as a result of the Games. During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, for example, sexual exploitation rose nearly 40%.  And for Sochi, nearly 70,000 migrant workers were brought to Russia, resulting in them being underpaid, overcrowded, and overworked for the duration of their time at the Games.

These are just a few of many available statistics on this issue. Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t been much better in Brazil. Leading up to the Games, workers building Olympic Village went on strike in 2014, demanding fair wages and work hours. The majority of these workers came from some of the most poverty stricken parts of the country.  Brazil already has major issues around sex trafficking, with an estimated half million child sex workers in the country prior to the Games. And with the influx of tourists into the country, that number is only expected to rise as the Olympics carry on.

Because of the numerous economic, social, and environmental issues that Brazil is currently facing, this year’s summer Olympics offered so much opportunity for corporate sponsors to think about how they could have a positive impact in the country. So why didn’t they do it?

Some are saying that mainstay Olympic sponsors like Coca-Cola and P&G have opted to keep their distance from the Games, knowing that the end result could be further economic devastation and chaos. Whatever the reason, very few companies have taken the opportunity to step up and provide social or environmental value to the country.

That said, several are making an effort – here’s how:

The Dow Chemical Company

The Dow Chemical Company is the official Carbon Partner of Rio 2016. What does this mean? Among other things, the company has worked with local farmers to “produce precision agriculture technology and low carbon solutions for seeds” in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is part of Dow’s larger “Sustainable Future” program, which will implement these technologies and solutions across Brazil and Latin America in the coming years. Energy consumption around major sporting events like the Olympics is astronomical, so it’s crucial that companies like Dow step up and offer better options now more than ever. We hope to see Dow measure and quantify their efforts, to pave the way for similar actions by corporations down the line.

 

Bridgestone Corporation

Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company, is the Official Tire of the Olympic Games this year. In advance of the Games, the company made it known that it planned to utilize its sponsorship to showcase its socially and environmentally responsible standards and programs. In recent years, the company has stepped up its efforts in sustainability and has worked to improve its business operations by focusing on employee safety and “corporate citizenship.” Bridgestone has had an incredible opportunity here to offer eco-friendly, sustainable options for many aspects of the infrastructure built for and equipment used in the Games, and we look forward to learning about the ways in which they’ve done so.

 

Samsung

Samsung, an international manufacturer of TVs, digital cameras, DVDs, VCRs and audio systems, opted to approach their sponsorship in a way that is less tangible, but also noteworthy. As we noted above, the Olympics provide us with an opportunity for citizens of the world to come together for one purpose, and feel pride in our countries of origin.  Samsung’s campaign for the Olympics focuses on doing just that – encouraging us to “embrace our shared humanity and the positive change that comes when the world comes together.” In a time when international tensions are high, that’s something we can get behind.

 

Nissan

Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, Nissan, is an official sponsor of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As part of their sponsorship in Rio, the company provided 5,000 vehicles to the Games and the Brazil Olympic team in particular, offsetting costs that would have otherwise been covered by the government. In addition, for the Paralympic Games, Nissan has instituted a mentorship program that pairs 31 able-bodied athletes with disabled athletes leading up to the Games. We applaud Nissan’s efforts to find unique ways to provide social and economic value in their sponsorship.

Do you know of a company that is doing something positive around the Olympics? Whether its through sponsorship or a cause marketing campaign, we want to hear about it. Share with us by:

• Connecting on social – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Sending us an email
• Commenting below

How Businesses Can Encourage Employees to Vote

“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.” – George Jean Nathan

Did you know that in recent elections, only around 60% of those eligible to vote did so in presidential election years, and just 40% during midterm elections? Those numbers decrease further for primary and local elections. 

This means that, at best, only 60% of eligible voters are contributing to decisions that affect our lives every single day – at the local, state, and national levels.

Recently, we’ve focused on the importance of speaking up about and taking action around the issues that we care about. While having discussions with those around us is a great way to learn and increase awareness, one of the most important ways to take action is by making sure that the people in decision-making seats align with your opinions and values. 

Leading up to this year’s elections, one great way companies can have a positive impact is by encouraging their employees to vote. Here are some ways they can do it:

Talk about why voting is important

There are so many reasons why people don’t vote, one of which is that they don’t think that their votes count – but there are so many reasons why they do. With such low voter turnout, our democracy isn’t exactly representative of the whole country, which is problematic. And your vote counts much more so at the local level, since the outcomes of city, county, school board and other local government elections have an immediate bearing on our lives, affecting things like school policy, transportation, infrastructure, law enforcement, and taxes. Communicate these points to your employees, so they know how important it is for them to make the effort to vote.

Make voting easier

No matter what type of business you run, you can encourage your employees to vote by simply making it easier for them to do so. First, you can offer your employees time off to vote. One of the biggest reasons why Americans don’t vote is because they’re working during voting hours at their polling places. This doesn’t mean you have to shut down operations for the day – just ensure that employees have a sufficient break during voting hours to get to the polling place, cast their vote, and get back. 

If you’re able, you could choose to take it a step further and help your employees get to their polling places too. Whether you subsidize their public transportation costs, allow for a work-from-home day, or even provide a shuttle, it will make a huge difference for those who might not otherwise be able to get where they need to.

Provide information

When it comes to voting, knowing the details is half the battle. We’re not talking about providing information about candidates – though offering an unbiased fact sheet couldn’t hurt. We’re talking about information like the following:
-    Deadlines for voter registration
-    Voting dates for primary and general elections
-    What those who will be away need to do to get absentee ballots and submit them on time
-    Polling place locations

It is absolutely essential to note that we do not mean that employers should provide any sort of biased information about candidates, or encourage employees to vote in any particular way. It’s a fine line, and we understand that, but it is crucial that if employers are going to provide information about candidates, it has to be limited to the facts.

Find fun ways to encourage voting 

Other fun ways that you can get your employees more involved in the election process is by creating an atmosphere that gets people excited for it. You could do this by offering small incentives to those who vote, like work from home days or office lunches. Or consider throwing an election night office party, where your team can get together and see the outcomes of their votes. Consider your office culture, and think through ways that you can bring people together around the election. 

Do you have ideas for other ways employers can encourage voting? Share them with us, and we’ll help spread the word. Let’s make voting as easy as possible! Here’s how you can get in touch:

-    Connect on social – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
-    Send us an email
-    Comment below

When Your Company Encounters Hate & Discrimination

Last week, we published a post on the blog sharing some of the helpful resources that we’ve come across in our efforts to inform ourselves about racial injustice in America, as well as actions that we can take to address it right now. When we shared the post on social media, we asked for people to share additional resources, and encouraged conversation about what’s happening in our country right now. We wanted to foster a productive, thoughtful conversation that would encourage deeper thinking and better understanding.

What we primarily saw, instead, was a lot of anger and, at times, outright racism and hatred. We grappled with how to respond – should we engage at all? Should we hide the hateful posts? Should we address each person individually? We were torn about how to respond in a way that felt productive, without fanning the flames further.

After internal discussion, we decided to respond to the hateful comments, in order to correct some of the inaccurate and out of context facts being shared and ensure that our perspective was clearly represented. Through that experience, we realized that, as we continue to address issues and events that could potentially elicit responses that are hateful, discriminatory, or even threatening, we need to think through how we plan to handle these conversations going forward. We don’t want to avoid discussion around difficult topics just because they might provoke negative responses, but we do want to be prepared to address those responses as they arise.

If you’re an activist online – whether you’re speaking as an individual or a business – and are thinking about doing the same, here are our thoughts:

Develop a policy

As an individual or a company, you can develop an internal policy for managing responses to the things that you share and discuss with the online community. For example: Will you encourage people to comment directly on your page, or reach out to you via private message? If you opt for public commentary, will you remove certain messages? If so, how will you determine which messages you will remove? Will you respond to difficult posts via private message?

To avoid feeling required to keep all posts live on your page, especially the ones that are overtly hateful or threatening, you can develop and publish guidelines for appropriate behavior on your page in advance. For example, you can decide that any posts that contain profane or threatening language will be removed from your page, or to engage in a certain amount of public dialogue before turning to private messaging.

Your policy may evolve as you continue to navigate these kinds of comments and conversations, but it will help to have a starting place and a set of standards that you can use to guide your responses.

Align your policy with your values

When developing your policy for these types of discussions, it’s crucial to ensure that it aligns with your values. At WhyWhisper, we’ve put a lot of time into developing a set of values that guide everything that we do, from selecting projects, to working as a team to, now more than ever, engaging in public dialogue. These values of accountability, positivity, purpose, learning, and empowerment are what prompted us to respond to the comments that we encountered last week, and they will continue to guide our policy for future conversations. Your policy, whatever it may be, should reflect your company values, so you can ensure that you respond in a way that is both authentic and empowered.

Prep yourself with facts and support

If you decide to engage in online conversations around polarizing issues, or those that could cause tension or conflict, arm yourself with facts that will help you present your perspective clearly and articulately. While it certainly doesn’t always mean that you’ll be able to turn a negative dialogue into one that is respectful and educational, it will allow you to ensure that the dialogue is not one-sided, and that anyone else who is considering engaging has as much information as possible before they do so.

To all those who chose to engage in last week’s conversation in loving, respectful, engaging ways – thank you. We hope to continue to learn from you, moving forward.

If you have anything to add to the conversation around participating in these types of dialogues online, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out on social – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn – via email, or in the comments below.

What Can I Do to Stand Up for Racial Justice?

Photo source: Jonathan Bachman Photography

It’s been a few weeks since Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were killed by police in acts of excessive force.

With the way our news cycle works, it’s easy to get swept up in the next big piece of news, and become removed from tragic events that quickly become part of the past. But the conversation can’t stop when the news coverage dies down. We can’t wait for another tragedy to occur to take action.

Right now, it’s crucial that we continue to move forward for change around racial injustice in this country. We must continue to do three things: educate ourselves, talk about it with others, and take action. To help keep the momentum going, we’re pulling together a list of resources based on what we’re learning from our research, conversations, and peers.

Please note that this list is not comprehensive by any means. It’s meant to grow and evolve as we continue to learn, talk, and act. If you have any resources to add, or want to talk about a specific resource that we’ve shared here, please feel free to reach out on social – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn – via email, or in the comments below.

Photo via Maranie Rae Photography

Educate Yourself

If there is any doubt in your mind that you don’t know enough about racism in America, which is true for many of us, it’s time to keep learning. It’s not enough to look at each individual killing in isolation – we each need to better understand why they continue to happen. The onus is on us to seek out information, to take in different perspectives, fact check, and develop thoughtful, well-researched opinions based on those facts.

Ready to educate yourself? Here are some resources that we’ve come across that we think are worth checking out:

Racism, Prejudice & White Privilege

• The Atlantic Slave Trade in Two Minutes
• If Anyone Ever Questioned How White Privilege Manifested Itself in America This Is The Perfect Illustration
• 28 Common Racist Attitudes and Behaviors
• Henry Rollins: White America Couldn't Handle What Black America Deals With Every Day
• On Black Women And Erasure In The Face Of Institutionalized Racism
• Racism Explained by a Good Ol' Southern Boy
• Black and White: Racism in America
• How White Privilege Affects 8 People of Color On A Day-To-Day Basis
• 'We Need Co-Conspirators, Not Allies': How White Americans Can Fight Racism

Looking for resources for kids or teens? Try these:

• How to Talk to Kids About Race & Racism
• #BlackLivesMatter Book List for Teens
• Book List for Talking to Kids About Prejudice
• Raising Race Conscious Children
  • Interactive Workshop / Webinar – August 30th

Police Brutality

• All 50 US states fail to meet global police use of force standards
• Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing
• Police Shootings Won't Stop Unless We Also Stop Shaking Down Black People
• The Police Are Killing One Group at a Staggering Rate, and Nobody Is Talking About It
• 15 Things Your City Can Do Right Now to End Police Brutality

Photo via Maranie Rae Photography

Talk About It

Talking about these complex topics can be challenging, especially when it means confronting people we know about them. But when we consider the fact that lives are being lost because of our fear to confront these issues, our own discomfort becomes inconsequential. We’re working to step outside of our comfort zones and talk about what’s happening in our country right now, and we encourage you to do the same. Talk about it on your own online platforms, with your friends and family, and in community settings. Encourage others to connect and discuss racism in America, police brutality, and what needs to change. Your knowledge empowers you to speak up confidently in the face of racist and inaccurate statements.

If you’re looking for some support, here are some resources that might help: 

• When Your Facebook Friend is Racist
• To My White Friends Who See Tragedy in the Black Community and Say Nothing, Make it Personal

Photo via Maranie Rae Photography

Take Action

While education and discussion are absolutely crucial, they aren’t enough to create systemic change.  We need to be advocates, activists, and allies in practice, and that means taking it a step further – showing up and putting in time.

If you’re ready to take action, here are some ways you can get started:

 Sign and Share Petitions

• Call on President Obama to De-Fund Police Departments that devalue Black lives: Color of Change Petition 
• Ask for public support for the Movement for Black Lives: Pledge to Stand with the Movement for Black Lives

Give Resources and / or Time to Relevant Organizations

• Black Lives Matter
• If you’re planning to attend a rally, please read this first: For White People Who Want to Attend #BlackLivesMatter Protests
• Black Youth Project
• Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund
• ACLU

Push for Change in Your City

• Learn about your city’s police conduct review process and speak up for change where it’s needed – here’s how
• Research your city’s government officials and vote for those who are reform-minded 

Do you have something to add to any of these lists? Please share them with us – we’ll add to this post and continue to spread the word. Also, hit share on this post! We need to get these resources out there.

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Much gratitude to Dr. Cora Neumann of RESET and The Global First Ladies Alliance for sharing resources and knowledge. 

How Can Businesses Take Action Against Racial Injustice?

by Kate Vandeveld

Last week, two black men were killed by law enforcement officers: Philando Castille and Alton Sterling. Philando Castile was sitting in his car with his girlfriend and her 4-year old daughter when a police offer shot him four or five times. Alton Sterling was being held down by two police officers when they shot him multiple times at point blank range.

Video footage at the site of each shooting indicates that neither man ever reached for his gun; and yet, in both cases, each man was killed in an act of excessive force on the part of law enforcement. These aren’t isolated instances. Similar cases of excessive force include those of Trayvon Martin, Tanisha Anderson, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Yvette Smith, John Crawford, Eric Garner, and so many more…

Time and time again, we are being confronted with the horrifying reality that racism is prevalent, thriving, and institutionalized in our country.

As we work to educate ourselves and foster discussions around race, racism, police violence, and the actions we can take on a daily basis to contribute to systemic change, we also want to think about how corporations can begin to take a stand against racial injustice.

Harnessing the Power of Business for Good

Businesses and corporations hold a great deal of power across all sectors. They influence public opinion, run operations with massive social, environmental, and economic impact, and pour a significant amount of money into lobbying expenditures –  $2.6 billion a year, in fact.

This power can be used to affect positive change in our country. For example, when North Carolina passed House Bill 2 (HB2) and effectively legalized discrimination against lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people, a number of businesses and corporations spoke up and took action against it.

So where is the corporate action against the racially charged police brutality in our country?

Is it because the issues surrounding it feel so complex that it's hard to know where to begin? Is it because its reaches are so geographically widespread that corporations can't simply pull their business from one specific city or state in order to take a stance? Is it because the thing that’s wrong here isn't one particular bill, it's an entire way of thinking, an entire system?

We don’t have the answer right now.  

What we do know is that the immense power of corporate America is capable of taking immense action. To start a conversation, we pulled together some of our own ideas for what businesses and corporations can do right now.

Please note that this list is just the beginning and by no means is it exhaustive. We are looking for your thoughts and your feedback wherever and whenever you have it, and will be updating this list accordingly.

Speak Up

To start, businesses and corporations can use their extensive reach to speak up about the systemic violence against black lives. While it might be difficult for companies to initially join the conversation because of the complexities they’ll be forced to unpack, many have the resources to take the time to do so. They can use those resources to offer a well-informed and authentic response or host community events to bring people together in proactive discussion. Words from large-scale corporations that people know well can go a long way in educating people and encouraging them to stand up and take action.

Educate Employees

So often, we aren’t aware of how much it is that we don’t know. This statement is truer than ever when it comes to racism in the United States. How often do we hear people say that racism is no longer a major issue in this country? How many times have you come across someone decrying the #BlackLivesMatter movement in support of “All Lives Matter,” a statement that underestimates and undervalues the issues at hand? Businesses and corporations should be putting a greater effort into educating their employees about racism and white privilege, so they know better in their daily lives and when these tragedies occur. While the onus isn’t solely on employers to educate their employees about these issues, information that comes from the top carries a great deal of influence.

Use Their Money for Good

With money comes power. We need more businesses to allocate funds towards supporting the organizations, politicians, movements, legal services, and research that are working for systemic change. For example, Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, donated $3 million in grants to Bay Area organizations working against racial injustice. If more companies follow suit, the influence, reach, and effectiveness of similar organizations can grow, and address the issues we’re facing right now.

What are your thoughts on how businesses and corporations can constructively address these issues?

As we continue to educate ourselves, we will be pulling together a list of resources that we’ve found to be credible and helpful that we’ll be sharing with you soon. Do you have any that we should include?

We want to know about them. We also want to know about actions that you’ve taken or plan to take. Education is necessary, but action is also crucial.

Please share in the comments below, send us an email, or connect with us on social – we’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google+.

This Summer, I Declare My Independence From…

by Kate Vandeveld

Most of us understand that taking care of ourselves is important. So you’d think that we would all prioritize self-care above most other things, right?

In reality, prioritizing our own mental and emotional well being can be really difficult – especially when we’ve got a lot going on (as most everyone does).

Self-care takes thoughtful effort and time. To stay on top of it, we need to regularly evaluate our own well being, and continually determine which aspects of our lives and habits are positive, and which are bringing us down.

This summer, we’re doing just that. We’re taking stock of the things in our lives that negatively affect us, and we’re shutting them down (as much as we can). In celebration of the upcoming holiday, here are some of the things that our team is declaring our independence from:

Being tethered to technology 24/7.

These days, it’s so hard to shake the feeling that we need to be constantly connected. Because we have access to social media and email virtually everywhere we go, we feel pressure to stay on top of everything, all the time. But being constantly connected to our technology makes it difficult for us to maintain true connections with those around us, and doesn’t even lead to greater productivity in the long run. We’re making a conscious decision to disconnect when we don’t need to be connected, and focus instead on the things that are happening around us.

Feeling the need to be “busy” all the time.

We live in a culture in which busyness is perceived as a sign of success – a “badge of honor,” even. But really, being overextended is bad for you and everyone around you. To put an end to this norm, we need to rethink the way we perceive success, and change the way we work accordingly. Rather than feeling a need to be “busy” all the time, we’re focusing on productivity and engagement, while living fully outside of work too.

Saying “yes” to everything.

When you’re managing your own time and workload, sometimes it can feel like you should say “yes” to everything without hesitation. Yes to new projects, yes to every meeting, yes to every client request, regardless of scope. But this can, so easily, lead to burnout. Instead of saying “yes” right away, we’re taking the time to evaluate what each decision will mean for us in terms of value, capacity and timing, saying yes only when we really mean it.

Working with clients whose values don’t align with ours.

When it comes to taking on new clients, we’ve learned how important it is to be thoughtful about value alignment. As a team, our values of accountability, positivity, purpose, learning and empowerment fuel everything that we do. We’ve found that when we work with clients who share those values, we’re able to work and communicate more effectively, leading to better outcomes and more positive relationships.

Old school networking.

For many of us, the word “networking” has negative connotations – business cards, awkward introductions, and lots of small talk. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, some of the most fruitful professional connections we’ve ever made have come from organic conversations in airports and restaurants, and introductions made by our friends. This type of networking reaps the same results, but is generally much, much more comfortable. If traditional networking makes you uncomfortable, let it go – it’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be.

Prioritizing profit above all.

Trust us, we know that money matters. We are the first to admit that we’ve taken on projects that weren’t totally value-aligned, or were too much for our schedules for the sake of paying the bills. But when it comes to the big picture, we do our best to balance purpose alongside profit. This requires more careful planning and evaluation, but leads to projects that we’re truly passionate about.

Working within traditional work hours.

We’ve been taught that we need to be working, at a bare minimum, from 9am until 5pm every weekday – no questions asked. Whether you’re feeling productive or not, those hours are supposedly imperative. But why should it be that way? Instead, we’re working hard when we’re feeling productive, and giving ourselves the flexibility to do other things when we’re not. As consultants, we have freedom to build our schedules so we are as effective as possible – we’re using it, and encourage others to do the same.

We think it’s important to add that we understand we’re not always in a position to declare our independence from all of the things that bring us down – and we would never want to insinuate that’s the case. But self-care is so important, and to the extent that we can make moves to be better to ourselves, let’s do it.

What are some of the things that you’d like to declare your independence from for the sake of self-care? Give us some inspiration by…

• Commenting below
• Sending us an email
• Sharing on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

15 Ways You Can Curb Your Energy Use Every Day

by Kate Vandeveld

Earlier this month, we talked about how solar power is changing the game when it comes to energy use, and shared our favorite options for solar powered products that can fuel your summer fun. If you’re planning on camping, grilling, or even just relaxing outside this summer, be sure to check it out!

That got us to thinking about how we can be better about our energy use in other aspects of our lives, even when renewables aren’t necessarily on the table. As it turns out, there are so many seemingly small things that we can change in our daily habits that will have a big impact on our energy use.

Here are just a few small steps that you can take today:

via unsplash.com

Cooling

• Change your fan setting so it runs counter-clockwise for the summer. By flipping a switch on your fan (usually found at the base) during the summer months and running it at a faster speed to move the breeze around, your fan will function more efficiently in the summer.
• Turn off kitchen and bath exhaust fans when AC is on. By now, we all know to shut our windows and doors when AC is on to conserve the cool air, but turning off your exhaust fans will save even more.
• Auto-time your thermostat. Rather than keeping your AC running constantly throughout the day when you’re away, turn it off in the morning when you leave and set it up to kick in a bit before you get home. That way, it’ll always be the temperature you desire without wasting energy.
• Set your thermostat to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. For each degree that your air conditioner is set at 75 degrees or below, you use three to five percent more energy, making 76 the most efficient setting.
• Draw curtains and shades when possible. Blocking out the sun when you’re not at home will protect your home against solar heat, and require less energy to cool it down when you need to.

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Lighting & Appliances

• Replace standard bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs give off the same amount of light as incandescent light bulbs, but they’re more energy and cost efficient in the long term.
• Choose light-colored lampshades. Light colored lampshades allow for a greater dissemination of light, so you’ll need fewer lamps to keep your room bright.
• Set your refrigerator temperature between 35 and 38°F. This is all that’s necessary to keep food cold, without overusing energy.
• Keep your freezer full.  When your freezer is full, it uses less energy than when it’s empty. **Pro tip: Filling your freezer with large containers of water saves even more energy.
• Wash and dry your clothes in succession. When you take time between loads, your dryer will cool down and require more energy use when you prepare for your next load. **Pro tip: Run full loads whenever you can, and air dry your lightest fabrics, whenever possible.
• Match your pot size to the burner on your stove. When you put a small pot on a large burner, you lose a good amount of unnecessary heat. 

via unsplash.com

Technology

• Unplug electronics and turn off power strips when not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, even when nothing is plugged in or devices are turned off.        
• Set your computer to sleep or hibernate when not in use for more than 20 minutes. Doing this instead of using a screen saver uses less electricity during periods of inactivity.
• Use your computer’s power management settings. Check out how your computer is using power, and manage your settings to decrease energy use – it can cause significant savings.
• Adjust your TV settings. If you have the option, switch from the “vivid” to “standard” setting on your TV menu – the former uses up to 20% more power for little visual difference.

If you really want to go big this summer, plant a tree or two! If you plant one on the east, west, or northwest side of your home, it will create shade that will reduce summer air conditioning needs, and could cut your costs by up to 35%.

Have any tips for small changes we can make to save energy? Share them with us in the comments below or on social! We’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

#WeStandWithOrlando: These Companies Are Stepping Up

by Kate Vandeveld

This past Sunday, many of us woke to deeply alarming and saddening news: The night prior, 49 people were killed at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando. 

49 people dead, another 53 injured. It was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.  

As the search for answers began, so did an outpouring of love and support from all over the world. Support for the LGBTQ community, for the Latinx community, for victims and survivors, for their families. So many – individuals, organizations, activist groups, politicians, celebrities alike – stood in solidarity with Orlando, donating blood, making statements of support, and finding other ways to take action.

While we absolutely believe that words hold power in the face of such tragedy, many members of these communities needed more immediate and tangible support. In response to their needs, several businesses and corporations stepped up – here’s what they did:

The Walt Disney Company

On Tuesday, The Walt Disney Company announced it would donate $1 million to support victims, survivors, and their families by way of the city’s newly set up, OneOrlando Fund. The fund will support non-profit organizations that focus on the needs of those affected by the massacre, both immediate and longer-term. Disney is also offering accommodations to victims’ loved ones, as needed. Lastly, in addition to this direct support, Disney will match employee donations dollar for dollar, and also set up blood donation centers across their Orlando resort property, so as to facilitate easy donation.  

Chick-fil-A

A restaurant chain well-known for its leadership’s opposition to same-sex marriage, Chick-fil-A’s response surprised us in a good way last weekend. The chain’s longstanding policy is to close on Sundays for religious reasons, but last Sunday, one restaurant near Orlando chose to overrule that policy. Employees came in to the restaurant to make and deliver food and drinks to the local blood bank where residents were encouraged to donate blood for survivors. In a Facebook post that day, the restaurant said “We love our city and love the people in our community.‪ #‎prayfororlando.”

JetBlue 

Following this tragedy, it may have been difficult (or even impossible) for victims’ loved ones to make their way to Orlando at such a crucial time. Fortunately, JetBlue has offered support by way of free seats on flights to and from Orlando for all immediate family members and domestic partners. In addition, the airline waived fees normally associated with making last-minute changes to travel plans for those who needed to make them. The company also donated $100,000 to the OneOrlando Fund, and encouraged their crewmembers to do the same by establishing a crewmember donation channel on the fund’s website.

Note: Allegiant Air has also offered to help the families and friends of those affected by the shooting, encouraging those who need assistance to contact them to make arrangements.

Local Businesses

• Many local businesses also stepped up to show their support in the hours and days after the shooting. To name just a few:
• Local eatery Sus Hi Eatstation will donate 100% of its proceeds through June 18th to Equality Florida’s GoFundMe account.
• The city of Orlando will provide free cemetery plots to victims, as needed.
• Florida Hospital Church is offering free funeral services to victims’ families.

Do you know of other businesses that have stepped up to provide support, or responded in another meaningful way? Share with us in the comments below, or connect with us on social – we’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. 

As for us as individuals, here’s what we can do to take action in response to this unconscionable attack on the LGBTQ community:

• Donate blood: Find out where you can do so here
• Donate money: Equality Florida’s GoFundMe supports services for victims and their families
• Attend a vigil: Find out where one will be held near you here
• Inform yourself: Find out if your representatives accepted campaign contributions from the NRA here
• Speak up: Call Congress to demand action on gun violence

Every single voice and every single action makes an impact. #WeStandWithOrlando

Concerned About the Energy Crisis? Solar Power Your Summer

What do you know about solar power?

Did you know that it's a considerable and essential source of renewable energy? In fact, in the first half of 2015, 40% of all new electricity-generating capacity came from solar. This is an incredibly positive development, given the decreasing availability of non-renewable fossil fuels that have historically been used to power our world.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the global supply of oil reserves will only take us through 2040 at the current rate of use. You read that right…one of our primary sources of energy will last us just 24 more years.

But solar power, when there’s enough of it, can provide sufficient energy for many of the things we use each day that are usually powered by batteries or electricity. So this summer, rather than relying on increasingly scarce non-renewable energy sources to fuel our fun, we decided to check out our solar powered options.

Here are some of our favorites:

For Camping

via unsplash

For many of us, summer means spending as much time outdoors as possible. One of our personal favorite ways to get outside is by camping, a relatively environmentally-friendly activity in and of itself. That said, this solar powered camping gear helps you take it to the next level, while also proving to be incredibly convenient:

• Lantern – Whetstone
• Portable Battery Charger – Anker  
• Camp Stove – GoSun Sport
• Flashlight – Harrington

 

For Hanging Out

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Truth be told, one of our favorite summertime activities is just…relaxing. Whether alone or with people we love, it’s always nice to slow down in the summer. Whether you like to listen to music, enjoy an outdoor meal, or lounge around to relax in the summer months, check these out:

• Headphones – Helios
• Radio – Eton Corporation
• Outdoor Cooker – SolSource
• Lighted Patio Umbrella – Sun Ray
• Entertainment Lounger – Hammacher Schlemmer (Just a little bit out of our price range, but still pretty cool)

 

For the Water

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If you have a pool, you’re probably well aware of the costs associated with its maintenance. In addition to annual upkeep, you’re likely spending a significant amount powering pool pumps and heaters. In fact, homes with pools use 49% more electricity per year than homes without them. Luckily, solar power is a perfect alternative for pool-related energy needs. Try these options:

• Pool Heating Rings – Hammacher Schlemmer
• Pool Pumps – Sun Ray
• Light Up Chlorinator – PoolSupplies.com
• Pool Skimmer – Solar-Breeze

 

For Cooling Off

via unsplash

When temperatures soar, you probably use a lot of energy just trying to cool off. Whether you’re looking to stay cool on the go, or want to invest in solar powered air conditioning, these innovative products will help keep you comfortable through the hot summer months:

• Ceiling Fan – Solectric
• Cooler – Solar Cool Technologies
• Air Conditioner – Lennox SunSource
• Passive Solar Homes – While this may not be an option for most of us right now, it’s a really cool concept: Passive solar houses are designed to work with preexisting elements, generally the sun, to keep your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

If you use another cool solar powered product that you think we’d be into (we will!), share with us in the comments below.

We also talk about things like energy efficiency and sustainability a lot on social media, so feel free to join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

If you’d like to learn more about solar energy, take the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar IQ Quiz – it’ll show you what you don’t know and fill in the gaps, so you can make more informed choices about your energy use in every area of your life.

Cause Marketing 101: Getting Started

by Kate Vandeveld

Did you know that 90% of U.S. consumers say they would switch to a brand associated with a cause, given comparable price and quality? In other words, even beyond the positive implications on our communities and our world, it’s also good for the bottom line.

This is one of many reasons that an increasing number of businesses are finding ways, big and small, to incorporate social and environmental causes into their business models. 

One effective and relatively uncomplicated way for businesses to do so is through cause marketing, or a marketing campaign geared toward a social or environmental cause. Such campaigns or initiatives can be run as a collaborative effort between a for-profit business and a nonprofit organization, or by a business on its own. And they can have a variety of goals, from fundraising, to raising awareness, to advocacy. 

If your business is interested in developing a cause marketing campaign, here are our tips for getting started:

Find a Cause That’s Aligned With Your Values 

As you might expect, the most important aspect of a cause marketing campaign is determining which cause you’ll be supporting. As with all CSR-related initiatives, it’s crucial that you align with your brand’s identity and core values. If you don’t approach your campaign from this angle, it’s likely to come across as insincere or irrelevant, which makes it difficult for consumers to connect and engage. When the connection between your values and your campaign makes sense and feels genuine, it will be easier to market, resonate with your audience, and achieve your intended impact.

A great example of alignment in cause marketing is Reebok’s partnership with the Avon 39 Walk to End Breast Cancer. This annual walk is meant to increase awareness about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, educate people about the importance of early detection, and raise money for cancer research, and an athletic event with a cause is a natural opportunity for an athletic shoe company to get involved. With Reebok’s support, the campaign has been able to raise over $500 million for breast cancer prevention and research.

Find the Right Partner(s)

Once you’ve decided on the cause you want to support, the next step is choosing a potential partner(s). Here’s what you should look for:

• Their mission(s) align(s) with your cause marketing goals
• They are able to clearly measure and demonstrate the positive outcome of their programs
• They have the internal capacity to work with you on a campaign (i.e. they have at least one staff member with bandwidth and strong interest)
• They have a built-in audience you can activate in addition to your own

Remember, the best partnerships create mutual benefit for everyone involved, thereby incentivizing strong participation on both sides.

Get Creative with Your Plans

These days, there are a number of social responsibility initiatives and cause marketing campaigns out there. While this is a great thing, you’ll need to get creative to get your message out in a way that is attention grabbing, genuine, and impactful. Simply aligning yourself with a nonprofit partner and talking about it online won’t be enough – you need to think outside of the box and be smart with your timing, designs, and messaging.

For example, in 2011, Patagonia launched a cause marketing campaign around Black Friday and Cyber Monday called the Common Threads Initiative, which called on consumers to buy less – including less of Patagonia’s apparel. The campaign encouraged conscious consumption by calling out the environmental cost of producing every item we purchase, while simultaneously selling sewing kits for clothing repair. It was risky and innovative enough to garner a great deal of attention while still achieving its purpose of touting the durability of Patagonia clothing.

Use Your Available Assets

To run an effective campaign, you’ll also want to be sure you’re leveraging all available assets – both your own as well as those of your partners.

One great example is Dunkin’ Donuts’ annual Cop on a Rooftop campaign. Each year in Chicago, Dunkin’ Donuts partners with Illinois Law Enforcement to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. To promote the campaign, Dunkin’ Donuts utilizes  its brick-and-mortar Chicago stores as well as the manpower of Illinois Law Enforcement. Law enforcement officers stand on the rooftops of participating locations and encourage patrons to make a donation to the Special Olympics, offering prizes to those who donate certain amounts. Since its inception 13 years ago, the campaign has raised over $2.3 million.

Have you seen or participated in a particularly unique or effective cause marketing campaign? Tell us about it – here’s how:

• Connect on social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• Send us an email
• Post a comment below

Empower Mint: Ben & Jerry’s Takes Action for Change

by Kate Vandeveld

Hopefully, it’s finally started to warm up in your neck of the woods. And if so, we’d venture a guess that your ice cream intake is about to increase…ours is!

So it’s probably a good time for us to share a really cool initiative that one of our favorite companies (and a fellow Certified B Corp!), Ben & Jerry’s, recently launched as we lead up to this year’s presidential election. But it isn’t about which political candidate you should support – it’s about the greater issues that our country’s democratic system is facing as a whole.

What are these issues?

The two overarching issues that the campaign seeks to address are financial corruption in politics, and the challenges that low income and minority voters face as a result of unfair voting laws. 

When the Supreme Court made the decision to give corporations the same rights to freedom of speech as it does American citizens, it made it so that “the richer you are, the louder your voice.” Beyond that, corporate money that goes through Super PACs is largely unregulated and untraceable, so wealthy donors and corporations can give as much money to the candidates they support as they’d like. This means that not only do a small number of Americans have the most power when it comes to getting their candidates elected, but that once those candidates are in office, they’ll owe their supporters and be inclined to pass laws that benefit them.

This problem is exacerbated by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to invalidate a key part of the Voter Rights Act, which was in place to ensure that citizens’ right to vote is upheld across the board. Now, states with a history of discrimination are no longer subject to the same level of federal oversight as they once were when it comes to voting laws. For example, voter identification legislation in some states means that the 21 million Americans who do not have the necessary government-issued ID can’t vote. And some states have limited voting hours to remove those times that have historically been most popular with hourly workers – evenings and Sundays – making it extremely difficult for them to vote.

A flavor to benefit Democracy: Ben & Jerry's Empower Mint. Launched in North Carolina with the NAACP NC, this fudge-filled flavor reflects our belief that voting gives everyone a taste of empowerment, and that an election should be more "by the people" and less "buy the people." Democracy is in YOUR hands.

How is Ben & Jerry’s working to fix them?

Through their ‘Democracy is in Your Hands’ campaign, Ben & Jerry’s is seeking to call attention to and inform a greater number of citizens about these crucial issues, and provide support to the organizations and initiatives that are working to address them.

The company launched their new ice cream flavor, Empower Mint, in conjunction with a campaign that supports recent efforts by the NAACP to increase voter turnout in North Carolina, one of the many states that has passed legislation to make it harder for people to vote in recent years. The Empower Mint flavor will benefit the state’s NAACP chapter, an organization “dedicated to ensuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and eliminating racial hatred and discrimination.”

Why do we love this so much?

As you probably know by now, we’re big advocates of businesses that choose to support a particular cause or set of causes and stay committed to those causes over time. Long-term, sustained support is important for creating real change.

We also love that Ben & Jerry’s regularly uses its products and brand to support a variety of causes. They often choose to partner with social enterprises and organizations that are working for change, like their collaboration with New Belgium for action around climate change.

Plus, their campaigns always include an educational element. This one, for example, provides clear and easy to understand information about issues around voting rights and money in politics. It even provides links to voter registration, and a petition for the Supreme Court to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act.

What other companies do you know of that are openly discussing the need for change in politics? Tell us about them! Here’s how:

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