For the Greater Good - Volume 7, Issue 4

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead

Oregon is now the first state to offer benefit corporations a sustainable advantage. Thanks to her diligence, my Oregon State Representative Thuy Tran helped us pass HB 3572. Here'sthe story you'll find on our blog:

Oregon benefit companies will gain an advantage in competing for contracts from government agencies after Gov. Tina Kotek signed H.B. 3572 into law on Monday, July 31st.

 A contracting government agency will be allowed to select an Oregon benefit company over a contractor that is not a benefit company as long as the values of the bids are separated by less than 5%.
  “Benefit companies often sacrifice cost-efficiency to make sure they’re making decisions that will better our communities,” said Chief Sponsor Representative Thuy Tran. “This bill recognizes businesses that are serving the public good.”

 Oregon benefit companies are businesses that consider impact on society and the environment in addition to making a profit. To become a benefit company, a business must include a statement in its bylaws, adopt a third-party standard to measure its benefit to the public, and publish an annual benefit report.

 “Oregon is sending a strong message in support of sustainability by becoming the first state with this kind of law,” said Tom Hering, co-founder and managing partner of Benefit Corporations for Good, the only Oregon-based third-party standard certifier. “Businesses that consider environmental and social impact should be rewarded for the good they’re doing for their employees, their customers and their communities.” 

 The signing of the bill follows bipartisan votes in the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate, respectively 32-11 and 19-5.

 The Oregon benefit company designation was created through legislation in 2013. There are now over 2,500 active Oregon benefit companies.

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Are you ready to become a benefit corporation and a triple bottom line business? Here are 12 simple questions to help you answer that: https://bit.ly/3H5ArYn

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Now about this issue of For the Greater Good. 

First of all, you can learn about the key steps to becoming a sustainable business. It's what you and your stakeholders want to do. But just how do you it? See what 12 thought-leaders recommend.

Secondly, you can discover how to clarify the purpose of your purpose. Is it really what you think it is? Harvard Business Review gives you 3 key rules regarding the role of purpose. 

And finally, you can read a thoughtful interview with Agnes Zach, founder of Nonprofit Professionals Now and one of our most recently certified BCFGs. Find out why she found the transition from the nonprofit world to for profit world was a natural via the Oregon Benefit Company.

12 Essential Steps to Becoming a Sustainable Business To help you understand the crucial steps toward becoming a sustainable business, we've gathered insights from twelve industry leaders and sustainability experts. From integrating sustainability holistically to building a business on integrity, these CEOs, directors, and other professionals share their top strategies for sustainability. Dive into their wisdom and learn how to make your business more sustainable. Read Now

What is the Purpose of Your Purpose? Are You Really Clear? Today’s business leaders are under pressure to come up with a corporate purpose, much as they were challenged to develop vision and mission statements in the 1980s and 1990s. Although this focus on the role of businesses in the economy and broader society has many positive aspects, a risk is that speed, shortcuts, and spin may take precedence over authentic action. The goal in this Harvard Business Review article is to help leaders be clear-sighted about what they seek to define: the purpose of their purpose. Read Now

How a Business Doing Good for People Doing Good Did Some Good for Itself As a full-service staffing agency for nonprofits, Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) knows a thing or two about doing good. It’s in their DNA. After all, many of the team members of NPN have experience with or working for mission-driven organizations. We recently talked with CEO & Owner Agnes Zach about becoming part of the certified BCFG community. Here’s what she had to say about it, the reasons for adopting our third-party-standard and most importantly, its impact on her company’s stakeholders. Read Now

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HIGHLIGHTS

CONGRATS to CHOCOLAT-E, our most recently certified Benefit Corporation for Good. Here are Norm Rice and  Jeanyves Verdu, two of the founders of a triple bottom line business. Well done Norm and Jeanyves!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL JONAS AND ALICIA CHAPMAN honored as "40 under 40" by the Portland Business Journal as outstanding business professionals in their community. Both are leaders of certified BCFGs, with Jonas leading Rational Unicorn Legal Services and Chapman owning Willamette Technical Fabricators. Kudos Michael and Alicia! 

Michael Jonas, owner and principal attorney, Rational Unicorn Legal Services.

Alicia Chapman, owner and CEO, Willamette Technical Fabricators.

FINALLY, A SHOUT-OUT AND HUGE THANKS TO OUR UO ALLEN HALL PR TEAM who did such an outstanding job for BCFG PR and social media efforts this past school year. I have no doubt they will all be doing outstanding work for people and planet in the careers that lie ahead of them. Here we are celebrating in Eugene in late June:

KNOW A GROUP THAT WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE OREGON BENEFIT COMPANY OR BENEFIT CORPORATIONS? Email tom@benefitcorporationsforgood.com about virtual or in-person presentations for your group or organization. 

LEARN MORE about our 8 standards for becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.

EVENTS

August 17: Small Business Formation Overview
Info here.

August 17: GlobalPDX Development Drinks
Info here.

September 8: What You Need To Know about Business Contracts
Info here.

September 20: 3rd Quarter "Happy Hour for Good" Meet-up
Mark your calendars with details to come soon.

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INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE SMALL BIZ COMMUNITY THROUGH ADVOCACY?

The Small Business Utility Advocates is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that represents, protects, and promotes the interests of small business utility customers. Energy, water, and other utilities have a direct impact upon the success of small businesses.

As strong supporters of the work of SBUA, Benefit Corporations for Good has seen the organization in action before the Oregon Public Utility Commission and in B2B meetings using expertise and experience to push for equitable treatment for small businesses.

 If you're a business leader in the Portland, OR area and want to support SBUA through work advocating for small business, you might be eligible for some compensation for your time and efforts. For details contact diane@utilityadvocates.org.   

For more information about what SBUA has been doing generally and in Oregon see www.utilityadvocates.org/news-and-resources.

KNOW OTHERS WHO BELIEVE IN A BETTER BUSINESS MODEL?

Do you know other people who are interested in the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit? Conscientious eaders and businesses who believe in doing business for the greater good? Then send them this link so they can receive our eletter free every other week devoted, of course, to the greater good!
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If you're interested in seeing the companies we've certified to date, go here.
If you're interested in learning more about our certification process, go here.
If you're interested in becoming an Oregon Benefit Company, go here.