Mercy Investment Services is a member of several shareholder advocacy groups, including the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). In collaboration with these groups and other investors who share our commitment to a just and sustainable world, we pursue an activist agenda with the companies owned in our investment portfolios. We vote for social, governance and environmental shareholder proposals that are intended to create accountable, transparent companies or that enhance long-term shareholder and stakeholder value and rights.

Areas of concern, both locally and globally, include equality and workplace issues, human rights, use of capital, environmental stewardship, corporate governance, weapons, consumer issues, access to healthcare, public safety and sustainability. Resolutions calling for greater disclosure and accountability on sustainability, financial and governance matters are generally supported. We will evaluate proposals that ask companies to cease certain actions that the proponent believes are detrimental to society with a special attention to the company’s legal and ethical obligations, its ability to remain profitable, and potential negative publicity from continuing these actions. We support shareholder proposals that are intended to improve the company’s public image and reduce exposure to liabilities.