For the Greater Good - Volume 7, Issue 5

"You've been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved." 
- Anonymous

Is there one simple thought that motivates a purpose-driven leader? You know, that one thing that gets them up every single morning to move them closer to their purpose?

I think it's a safe bet there is. Whether it's a favorite quote, a mantra or an image, we all need something from time to time to fuel us toward our destination.

But in the event you're lacking a real spark when your mojo is on empty, may I offer you the quote above? 

It's how I describe our small business leaders in the growing BCFG community. And if you want to see who the "movers" are, simply take a look at our community page.  

Happy July!
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Since our June newsletter, the following has happened:

• 2 new BCFGs have joined our community

• 3 current BCFGs have recertified, and

• 12 states and 1 Canadian province now feature a BCFG certified business

BCFG Manifesto

We dare to believe that every business can positively impact the world.

We believe that by joining the benefit corporation movement you reinvigorate the planet with sustainability, transparency and empathy.

We believe in the 3 P’s practice of putting People and Planet first because it means more Profit for those who see the wisdom in serving the “greater good.”

We believe in helping empower companies to become benefit corporations because we know that a rising tide lifts all boats. Call us crazy, call us dreamers but we have the audacity to believe we will answer JFK’s words, “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

Want to learn more? Check these out!

How To Reduce Your Small Business Carbon Footprint (3 Steps)
Adopting green practices puts your small business in a better position with potential clients, team members and stakeholders while helping to protect the planet. Business leaders should take action on: 
(1) Business operations that you directly control,  (2) Energy sources, and (3) Partners, vendors, and suppliers. 

How do you as a small business leader initiate things? BCFG’s second white paper in a series gives you a proven, attainable blueprint to get started. READ NOW

BCFG Biz Named "Oregon Retail Champion"
Gourmet chocolate retailer Chocolat-e has been named one of 50 America’s Retail Champions by the National Retail Federation, the Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for the nation’s 4.6 million retail establishments.

The America’s Retail Champion program, “celebrates small retailers who are exceptional advocates for retail and the communities they serve,” according to the NRF. READ NOW

Certified BCFG Leader Interviewed about Building Community around the 3BL
Megan Bott of Positive Energy Solar, a certified BCFG, was recently interviewed on the "Awarepreneurs Podcast" about building community and sharing resources. You can listen and hear her thoughts on: (1) Finding and supporting values-aligned companies, (2) Making sustainability the foundation of business operations and (3) Creating equity and investing in employees' lives, plus more. LISTEN NOW 

Highlights:

Congratulations to our most recently certified BCFG and first business on the northern Oregon Coast, North Coast EOL Collective. Here are Founders Carolina Starrett, Margo Lalich and Abby McNeil. Well done Team NCEC!

Congratulations to Farmacopia Farms, Chocolat-e and Power NW for their recertifications and the all the good they're doing for people and planet.

Upcoming Events:

July 16: Networking & Support for Portland's Female Entrepreneurs
Info here

July 23: JEDI 101 for People Managers
Info here
 
July 25: Sustainable Startup Happy Hour
Info here

CURIOUS about why your small business should become a triple bottom line company? Get a Free download of our book about the "why" and "how" of the benefit corporation.

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 leaders 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.