The Power of Community

Every month our co-founders, Janine Firpo and Ellen Remmer, share their thoughts on a range of topics, some specific to Invest for Better and some not. These ‘opening letters’ are part of our e-newsletters and they provide a great glimpse into the happenings of our organization and larger community.

Letter from Ellen Remmer
February 22, 2023

Community is what we are all about. And that’s what over 30 of us celebrated this week when we gathered for a cocktail party in Boston. In addition to the many Invest for Better members (including several from the very first IFB Circle!) and Circle leaders who attended, we were delighted to be joined by numerous members of the WISE network. It was a gathering of remarkable women who share the goal of creating a movement to build a healthier economy. We shared success stories, talked about opportunities for the future, and made new connections through a “give and ask” round-robin. And we all agreed that coming together in person nourishes both individuals and the community! Many thanks to Steering Committee Kathleen McQuiggan for hosting this event.

Our recent Activation session with Andy Behar of As You Sow was also a testament to the power of community. Presenting on the theme of Anti-ESG is Anti-Business, Andy educated attendees about the small handful of well-funded disinformation players behind the successful political push to ban ESG investing from state pension funds and take over corporate boards, as well as emerging efforts to push back with real facts about the power of ESG investing to evaluate risk and strengthen returns. IFB members were excited about the opportunities Andy presented to counter this dangerous push, including joining the Amplify ESG platform, and promoting social media messages that correct misinformation and clarify the truth about ESG. To apply to join Amplify ESG, use this form. To watch the recording of this remarkable session with Andy, go here.

One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Margaret Mead’s wise words: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That’s the power of community. And that’s the power of Invest for Better.

Best,
Ellen