January 19, 2006

A Movie Screening of:
Independent America 

5:30PM - 8:00 PM

The MathWorks, Inc.*

3 Apple Drive, Natick, MA

Please join the Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston for a screening of the film Independent America, a new film that uncovers a growing discontent with corporate America and a growing movement toward "local" in communities across the country.

The filmmakers interview people from all sides of the issue - economists, activists, political leaders, union members, entrepreneurs, Wal-Mart executives, and concerned Americans from all walks of life. The film provides no easy answers, but puts forth a lot of ideas for our community to discuss and consider. We hope you will join us!

More About Independent America
This 80-minute documentary feature follows award-winning journalists and filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes as they hit the road and travel 13,000 miles through 32 states across America.  Traveling by secondary highways and country roads, and only doing business with Mom & Pop, the couple finds a nation at loggerheads with the free market it so proudly mastered. From bitter battles with corporate America to revitalized Main Streets, Hanson and Heather find a truly Independent America.

Forty years ago, Mom & Pop businesses were an endangered species as corporate retail advanced quickly through the consumer heartland of the world.  But today, small business is clawing its way back as Americans look to shore up their local communities in the face of daunting globalization, terrorism, corporate scandal and divisive politics. 

Schedule:
5:30 PM Welcome and Networking
5:45 PM Movie Screening

7:15 PM Facilitated Discussion and Q&A 

* Although the Mathworks is is pleased to host this RBA event, the views expressed in the film are NOT those of The MathWorks.

April 5, 2006

A Movie Screening of

"The Corporation"

Wednesday, April 5, 2006
5:30PM - 8:00 PM
The MathWorks, Inc.
3 Apple Drive, Natick, MA

Please join the Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston for a screening of the film "The Corporation", a documentary that looks at the concept of the corporation from inception to present day.

The Amazon.com review:

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in its behavior, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also what people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

More About The Corporation

In this acclaimed documentary from the co-director of MANUFACTURING CONSENT: Noam Chomksy and the Media, 40 corporate insiders and critics—including Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky, NO LOGO author Naomi Klein and Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman—explore the nature and spectacular rise of the most pervasive institution of our time. Combining analysis with footage from advertising, television news and industrial films, THE CORPORATION is an entertaining and provocative look at the inner workings, curious history, controversial impacts and possible futures of the modern global conglomerate. 

The film covers a lot of ideas for our community to discuss and consider. We hope you will join us! 

Schedule:
5:30 PM Welcome and Networking
5:45 PM Movie Screening
7:30 PM Facilitated Discussion and Q&A

RSVP: Kathleen Goodrich (978) 692-7672 or KathleenGoodrich@comcast.net by April 3, 2006

*Although the MathWorks is pleased to host this event, the views expressed in the movie do not necessarily represent those of the MathWorks.*

May 18, 2006

Building a Sustainable Boston

RBA's 17th New England Conference on

Socially Responsible Business

The Lenox Hotel, Back Bay Boston

Agenda

8:00--- Continental Breakfast     

8:45--- Introduction and Welcome      

9:00--- Opening Plenary Session 

·     Jim Hunt, Chief of Enironmental and Energy Services for the City of Boston-

    How the City of Boston is Helping Build a Sustainable Boston     

 9:45--- Questions and Answers      

10:15--- Break      

10:45--- Interactive Workshops on Sustainable Best Practices  

·     Building a Vibrant Local Retail Economy in Greater Boston: Michael Kanter, Cambridge Local First

·     Promoting Green Business Development:Barbra Batshalom, The Green Roundtable/Nexus

·     Boston as a Green Convention and Tourism Destination-Stimulating Movement towards a Sustainable Region

12:00--- Buffet Lunch      

12:45--- Plenary Session on Sustainability and Economic Justice      

1:15--- Q and A       

2:00--- Small Group Brainstorming and Interactive Sessions on Building a Sustainable Boston  

·     Best Practices Committee and Boston Sustainability Awards Program--Liz Callanan, MathWorks; Adam Mitchell, Save That Stuff

·     Online sourcing data base--Mark Buckley, Staples

·     Economic Justice and Sustainability

·     Working with the City of Boston for sustainability--City staff member

·     Boston Local First--Laury Hammel

·     Clean Cabs for Boston    

3:15--- Break      

3:45--- Closing Plenary Session  

·     Douglas Foy, former Chief of Commonwealth Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and former president of the Conservation Law Foundation

4:20--- Q and A      

4:50--- Closing comments     

5:00--- Adjourn

Details <http://cambridge.ifpeople.net/events>

Wednesday November 29