Connecting Great Ideas and Great People Guiding Principles for Socially Responsible Associations & Nonprofits

Project Overview  Vision – Mission  Articulating a set of core values that promote socially responsible action by associations  Asking organizations to  Embrace  Support  Enact  Within their individual spheres of influence

Premise  Voluntary guidelines and commitment to action  Aligned with the principles in the UN Global Compact  Reflecting the independence and diversity within the association community

History  Project Team created at Global Summit  Models Collected  UN Millennium Development Goals  UN Global Compact  Existing Principles Documents from Associations  Initial draft created and opened for public comment

Benefits to Associations for implementing Socially Responsible Practices  potential cost savings  more engaged members  motivated staff  increased visibility,  easier employee recruitment  better risk management  higher member retention and recruitment rates.

Responsible Advocacy  Enlightened Self Interest  Advocate on behalf of our constituencies in a manner consistent with general public good  Aligned with universal principles of the Global Compact

Environmental & Economic Sustainability  Promote environmentally responsible technologies and practices  Within our associations  For example, meetings and conventions  Within the industries & professions we represent

Environmental & Economic Sustainability  Act as catalysts for development of sustainability strategies and capacity  Engage leaders of industries we represent  Contribute to economic growth  Within our represented trade and professions  Within new partnerships for development  Globally  Under-represented populations/communities at home

Public Protection  Ethics  Promote exemplary ethical standards and practices  Self Regulation  Protect the interests of those who rely on our trade or professions products/services

Public Protection  Human Rights  Protect internationally proclaimed human rights  Of particular relevance to associations …  Freedom of association  Collective action  Free speech

Diversity  Value and seek participation  Diverse  Inclusive  Within the association  Within the trade or profession represented

Philanthropy/Community Service  Associations & their members will be good corporate citizens.  Sensitive to the local community’s culture & needs & needs  Giving back to the community where we can

 Promote and develop socially responsible leaders  Within our associations  Within the trade or profession represented Leadership

Leadership  Make our organizations’ models of these principles in action  In our planning, policy, decision-making  In our promotion of these principles within our sphere of influence  In our impact and results  In our communications of the need for and impact of socially responsible action

Where We Are Going...  Encourage broadest possible involvement in refining the Guiding Principles  Public and ceremonial signing of the final document  ASAE & the Center Annual Meeting, Toronto, August 2009 August 2009  Incorporation of the Principles into ASAE & the Center’s governing and strategic planning processes

Ways to Get Engaged  Comment on the draft principles  Talk to and with your leadership  Volunteers  Staff  Business partners  Recruit other associations to become involved  The number & diversity of interests supporting the Principles matters!  Key Industries  Key Associations

For more on the Global Principles, please visit For more case studies, tools and resources, please visit Connecting Great Ideas and Great People