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FSPA invests and votes for a 'greener' world environment

by Julie Tydrich, FSPA

FSPA leadership recently added to an investment in Organic Valley Farms. Organic Valley produces quality food without use of dangerous fertilizers or preservatives. FSPA’s investment helps this environmentally friendly, or “green,” company improve health and the environment. Uncountable medical problems point toward environmental causes. Chemicals and pollutants contaminate air, water, soil, plants and food. FSPA believes in investing with companies improving health and environment. FSPA votes investment shares in favor of improvements in environmental practices. Green investing accomplishes a dual mission for FSPA: improving the environment and providing for future health and income.

FSPA has a long history of disciplined investing to provide for future needs. Investment is as necessary for FSPA as it is for any citizen to fund future needs. Historically, FSPA often earned room and board only, without health or retirement plan benefits which are now standard with many employers. Supplemental income from donations and investments are therefore essential for funding routine expenses and providing supplemental funding needed at FSPA-owned spirituality centers and programs (Franciscan Spirituality Center–La Crosse, Prairiewoods–Hiawatha, Iowa, Marywood–Arbor Vitae, Wis., WomanWell–St. Paul, Minn., and GATE–Global Awareness Through Experience).

With the guidance of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) based in New York, and the MN/WI unit of ICCR coordinated by Rev. Michael Crosby, OFM Cap, FSPA also invests in not-so-green companies. ICCR does thorough research and assists shareholders in discussing concerns with officials at not-so-green companies. Only when officials refuse to discuss or address concerns are shareholder resolutions filed. Filing shareholder resolutions gets important issues on the annual proxy ballot of the company. Proxy ballots mailed to all shareholders facilitate shareholder voting and enable shareholders to vote without having to attend the annual meeting of the company.
Each shareholder’s proxy ballot identifies, and is weighted by, the number of shares owned. For example, the proxy ballot of a person that owns 1,000 shares, casts 1,000 votes. Return of a completed proxy ballot can be done by paper mail, e-mail or Internet (typically left to shareholder’s preference). Every shareholder can influence a company by voting shares held. Unfortunately, too many investors fail to review, vote and return their proxy ballot. [See important issues for investors: www.iccr.org.]

As a concerned citizen, you too likely have opportunities to influence corporate policy and vote from an environmentally-friendly, Franciscan standpoint. While not everyone can be a major corporate investor, never underestimate your influence as a shareholder, no matter how big or small. Your vote can and does make a difference.

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