Mark and I were in New York last week for the September meetings of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). The meetings are a time when we gather with other institutional investors to develop strategies and actions for shareholder engagement with companies we own, as well as a time to hear about the latest developments on items such as human rights issues, the environment, and news from the socially responsible investing community.

Top on the agenda was the SEC’s continued deliberation on action relative to rule 14a-8. Without the rights guaranteed to shareholders by rule 14a-8, MMA and many other social investors would be left with no legal basis for pursuing shareholder advocacy - arguably our most effective tool for influencing corporate policy. The SEC’s comment period runs through October 2, and everyone is encouraged to lend their voice against any potential changes at SaveShareholderRights.org

Below are two press releases sharing the latest news:

MMA Press Releast on Shareholder Rights, 30 KB Word

ICCR/SIF Press Release, 31.5 KB Word