Net Impact Minneapolis is a network of leaders in the Twin Cities who use the power of business to make a positive impact, whether it’s environmental, social or economic. Net Impact serves as a collaborative forum where these leaders can learn from each other how to use their career skills to make a difference.

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Net Impact Event on Socially Responsible Investing: Beyond the Bottom Line
January 24, 2012

Net Impact Minneapolis Chapter in partnership with Kelli Puhl from UBS, brings you a presentation on Socially Responsible Investing.

Increasingly, many investors are searching for more than just financial returns on their investments – they want returns from investments that advance our society’s broader goals. Socially Responsible Investments are rooted in the guiding values of environmentalism, socially responsible public policy, and corporate governance while maintaining a focus on earning attractive returns. Discover how Socially Responsible Investments are selected and learn about their ability to impact every investor and the common good. Join us for an overview of the decision-making criteria and the results they deliver in this emerging discipline.

This event is presented by Kelli M. Puhl of UBS, and she will provide an overview of this growing segment of the industry. She is a second generation Financial Adviser and earned her B.S in Management from the University of Minnesota Curtis L. Carlson School of Management. She also holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, and health insurance licenses.

Join us for interesting conversation, free appetizers and networking.  Cash bar also available. 

Register for this FREE event at: http://netimpactmplssri.eventbrite.com/

Meeting Challenges in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability in Hershey’s Supply Chain
Thursday, February 16, 4:30

From our friends at the University of St. Thomas Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC) – an opportunity to learn about Hershey Company’s efforts to operate responsibly in the chocolate and cocoa industry and particularly in the areas of the world where cocoa is grown and harvested.
Speaker:
Andy McCormick
Vice President, Public Affairs
The Hershey Company

Commenting Panelists:
Christopher Michaelson, Ph.D., Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas
James Harkness, President, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Mark Murphy, Assistant Vice President for Cargill Corporate Affairs
and Executive Director of the Cargill Foundation

To register, go to https://webapp.stthomas.edu/EventRegistration/UST/register.jsp?eventcrn=A4992

In the summer of 2011 The Minneapolis Professional Chapter achieved a gold rating.  The gold rating reflects our on going efforts to engage and connect individuals in the Minneapolis area who share a commitment to sustainability.

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Net Impact Minneapolis is an organization of Twin Cities area professionals who represent a variety of business sectors. Our members are committed to practicing and promoting the principles of social responsibility throughout the local community and beyond. We also work with the Net Impact student chapter at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Our mission is to:

• Promote corporate social responsibility concepts among Twin Cities-area businesses.
• Provide area business professionals with networking and learning opportunities.
• Develop a collaborative environment for socially responsible area businesses.
• Build relationships with other socially responsible organizations in the Twin Cities.

Net Impact Minneapolis uses the power of business to make a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. By combining our members’ talent, energy, and commitment with the wealth of business, educational, and other resources in the Twin Cities area, we will work to make our community a vibrant center of socially responsible business activity.

The 2011 to 2012 Net Impact Minneapolis Leadership Team consists of:

David Sheppard – President
Darren McGann – Vice President
Brandon James – Communications Director
Patty Schmidt – Membership
Patrick Nolen – Treasurer
Sally Mills – Secretary

Previous Leadership Teams

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What is Net Impact?

Net Impact is:

• A network of more than 13,000 new generation leaders committed to using the power of business to improve the world;
• A membership organization that brings MBAs, graduate students and young professionals together to network, learn and take action on socially responsible business issues;
• An organization that educates, equips and inspires members to use their business skills for social impact;
• An organization comprised of a central office (Net Impact central) and over 100 Net Impact chapters led by volunteers that work locally to carry out the Net Impact mission.

What is Net Impact Minneapolis?

Net Impact Minneapolis is an organization of Twin Cities Area professionals who represent a variety of business sectors. Our members are committed to practicing and promoting the principles of social responsibility throughout the local community and beyond. We also work with Net Impact student chapter at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

What is Socially Responsible Business?

The term “socially responsible business” is most commonly applied to commercial enterprises (and their operations) that achieve business objectives while respecting ethical values, the rights of individuals and communities and the natural environment. It involves meeting (or exceeding) the legal, ethical, commercial and other expectations society has for business, and making decisions that fairly balance the claims of all key stakeholders — those who have an interest in or are otherwise affected by the business.

Essentially, therefore, a socially responsible business attaches at least as much importance to how commercial objectives are achieved as it does to the objectives themselves.

The term can be used to describe not only commercial operations that are conducted in a socially responsible manner — i.e. the business strikes an appropriate balance between the interests of all stakeholders — but also to organizations that use their business resources, methods and influence as tools to achieve positive social change.

What does it mean to be a member?

As a member of the Net Impact is interested in furthering the goals of Net Impact, and is willing to take part in events, projects, and outreach activities. Becoming a member will help Minneapolis metro area professionals by linking them with a vibrant community of people who are dedicated to furthering social responsibility, and opportunities to take part in Net Impact programs and fun events.

How do I join?

To join the Net Impact Minneapolis, simply fill out the “Receive Updates” form located on this page.

To join the Net Impact national organization, visit the Net Impact national website.

Who can be a member?

Anyone who is interested in using the power of business to make a positive net social, environmental, and economic impact to improve our community. Net Impact Minneapolis is a great place for former Net Impact student members to continue their efforts, but it is not necessary to have been a member in school, or even to have been to business school. Net Impact Minneapolis is open to professionals of all ages and diverse interests.

Speed Networking with Social Entrepreneurs

A diverse slate of local entrepreneurs joined a lively group of networkers to discuss Socially Conscious Business from across the Twin Cities. Special thanks to our featured guests:

Rod Johnson, Founder of Midwest Mountaineering 
 Jody Treter, Sales director for Peace Coffee
Rachel Maloney, Founder of The Natural Built Home
Jacquie Berglund, Founder of Finnegans Beer
Bryan Ukena and Miriam Holsinger, Eureka Recycling
Chuck Sween, Environmental coordinator for Quality Bicycle Products

Six rounds of small group sessions allowed for dynamic conversations with each expert. Participants shared their own experiences and professions to further enrich the discussion.

To read more, check out our newsletter.

International Antarctic Expedition

The Brave New Workshop hosted a dynamic talk on the March 2011 International Antarctic Expedition. Local member Darren McGann shared his experiences on that journey while expedition lead and environmentalist Robert Swan, OBE joined via Skype from Australia as an additional expert in this multi-media, visually stunning event.

The Chapter thanks the Brave New Workshop for generously providing the space for this event and for engaging their online partner to broadcast the event live online. Thanks too to speakers Darren McGann and Robert Swan who provided insight into the vastness of the Antarctic. For more on this event, please see the webcast of the actual event online at: http://bnw.qwikcast.tv/.

June 20th: CSR a Scandinavian Approach
June 12th: Marshall Johnson, CEO, of Asset Recovery Corporation. His presentation covered the essentials of electronics recycling, with a focus on social and environmental implications.
June 7th: ShamROCK
May 7th – Annual Net Impact Celebration, Featuring Finnegans Irish Amber founder, Jacquie Berglund
March 12th – Happy Hour @ Gluek’s

February 18th – Cookie Cart presentation @ Common RootsJanuary 15th – Host Gustavus Adolphus College students at Ecolab
November 14th – Red Stag Tour
May 31st – Happy Hour @ Gluek’s
June 9th – Volunteering @ Finngegan’s Summerfest
July 19th – National Happy Hour @ O’Donovan’s
October 22nd – Happy Hour at Brit’s Pub
November 1st-4th – National Net Impact Conference in Nashville TN

Return to Net Impact Minneapolis