|
Economic Justice
|
|
The Advocacy Center focuses on Economic Justice through: the Economic Justice Loan Committee, the Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, active participation in the Economic Justice and Domestic Hunger Program Ministry of the National Council of Churches, and by providing a liaison and financial support to the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice.
Economic Justice Loan Committee. This committee, created in 1998 by Executive Council, combines two former loan committees. The committee is given stewardship of $7 million dollars to make loans to projects to benefit poor and marginalized people, for such purposes as low cost housing, small-business development, childcare programs or establishing credit unions. The committee develops criteria for Council approval and oversees the application and loan process deciding where loans are made, for how much and under what terms. These loans are available for domestic and international projects that promote economic justice. Loans range from $100,000 to $350,000 for a period of five to seven years.
The Episcopal Church works with National Community Capital Association (NCCA). NCCA performs due diligence on new loan applications and helps the Episcopal Church monitor existing borrowers. Prospective borrowers can contact Tom Bernardin of the Episcopal Church at tbernard@econs.umass.edu or Beth Lipson of NCCA at bethl@communitycapital.org.
Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility. This committee of Executive Council was created in 1972 (as the Social Responsibility in Investments Committee) and has monitored the Church's investment portfolio for social performance ever since. The name was changed in 2008 to more accurately reflect the committee's mission and actions. The Episcopal Church is a pioneer in the shareholder activism movement through its earlier tireless anti-apartheid work. Today, among other issues, the committee analyzes and monitors corporate behavior on the environment, equality in the workplace, overseas ethical criteria, arms contractors ethical criteria, health concerns and bank lending practices to minorities. The committee meets twice yearly and by regular conference calls; it has produced resources and holds programs on different aspects of ethical investing. It is an active participant in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.
|
|
|
In The News
|
|
10/6/2009
|
The Card Game: Prepaid, but Not Prepared for Debit Card Fees
A cottage industry only 10 years ago, reloadable prepaid cards have tapped into the vast pool of about 80 million consumers who have little or no access to bank accounts. Typically, it comprises low-income people and immigrants who have fewer financial options than other Americans. The appeal can be irresistible, making the reloadable cards among the consumer banking industry’s fastest-growing products. But their convenience comes with a catch: fees, often hidden in the fine print.
|
|
Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
For More Information
Michael Schut
Associate Program Officer for Economic & Environmental Affairs
,
Advocacy Center
Regional Office
,
Seattle
,
Washington
E-mail:
mschut@episcopalchurch.org
Michael Schut serves as the Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer of The Episcopal Church, following 11 years on the staff of Earth Ministry. He is a writer, teacher, and speaker, focusing on the nexus between faith, sustainability, economics, and justice. His new book is Money and Faith: The Search for Enough. Michael edited and co-wrote Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective, which won the second best book of 2000 award by the Catholic Press Association. He also edited Food and Faith: Justice, Joy and Daily Bread. His work history includes serving as a Park Ranger, leading wilderness trips, and offering retreats and workshops. He enjoys most any outdoor activity, and likes to travel, garden, sing, read, dance and hang out with his friends and family, especially his nephew Carter! Michael has a BS in Biology and an MS in Environmental Studies and lives in Seattle.
|
