THE MCPHERSON MEMO

ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Senior Account Executive Lauren Hill, who is still watching cheesy holiday movies for joy! :)
 
A year after January 6th
Amidst the Jan. 6th committee investigations, it’s hard to believe this week marks one year since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Immediately following the attack, many businesses and business leaders opted to suspend political contributions to GOP members who objected to the election results. But according to a recent survey conducted by The Conference Board and the National Association of Business Political Action Committees, more than 75% of businesses that initially paused contributions ended up resuming them in 2021. Client Daniella Ballou-Aares with the Leadership Now Project discusses the dangers of this in this article from The Hill and her most recent newsletter details how businesses can protect democracy today. 
 
Is it 2020 too…
The start of the New Year has some of us feeling like it’s 2020 all over again. Just this week, the U.S. reported 1 million new Covid cases, due to the surge of the omicron variant. Business leaders are revisiting timelines for their previously outlined return-to-work plans and school districts are rethinking back-to-school after winter break. School leaders are tightening coronavirus rules to keep everyone safe, and the CDC just announced a recommended Pfizer booster shot for 12-15 year olds. With so much uncertainty still looming, here’s how Mom 2.0 is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education to provide parents with accurate information about Covid vaccines for children aged 5-17.
 
Employer New Year resolutions
As we embark (or don’t) on our individual New Year’s resolutions, it’s important that employers think through how they can better care for their employees. Our founder Susan McPherson weighs in on the resolutions that employers should be making in 2022. Providing work flexibility is still at the top of the list in addition to democratizing decision-making and continuing to do our collective part to fight pandemic inequities across the globe. For those who are still working on individual New Year’s resolutions, check out this article on how to start (and keep) a healthy habit from WIRED.
 
ON OUR RADAR
Read:

• 2021 opened a Pandora’s box. Here’s why mental health is a top priority for employees in 2022.
• ESG investments soared in 2021. Here’s how the government can boost them even more.
• American Girl debuts Chinese-American doll to better model and nurture an inclusive community.
• From The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Why Embedding an Artist in Your Nonprofit is a Sound Investment.
• The struggle for your health is not just a battle between you and the scale, Big Food marketers are also to blame.

• Netflix’s new movie, Don’t Look Up, serves a broader purpose for brand reputation and social responsibility leaders—a primer for communicating in the age of media clutter.
• This Sesame Street clip of Elmo and Zoe has resurfaced and Twitter can’t get enough.

• With a focus on creating a more equitable world, Senior Editor at Fortune Ellen McGirt is launching Sweet Equity Media.
• For those who click “post” on their social media channels, check out this newsletter, Link In Bio, for tons of social media ideas and resources.
• Check out the "Inside Social Innovation" podcast from Stanford Social Innovation Review.

• Check out the 2021 Philanthropy Award recipients from Inside Philanthropy.
• Shondaland recognizes these 5 women giving back.
• Here are the winners of The New York Times 2021 Good Tech Awards.

• Education Reimagined is looking for a Communications and Marketing Manager.
• Participant Media is hiring for a VP of Social Impact.
• Stanford’s new school focused on climate and sustainability is hiring for several faculty positions.
• Our team is on the lookout for a senior executive who can help us drive meaningful results for our clients in the social impact space. Learn more!