United Methodists asked to participate in socially responsible investing survey

General Conference task force seeks input.


United Methodists are invited to participate in an online survey about socially responsible investing.

The 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s highest policy-making body, established a task force to develop a common standard for determining investments to be avoided and those considered to have a positive social impact.

General Conference decreed that the standard should be consistent with the United Methodist Social Principles, and be applicable to both individual and institutional investors.

Byrd Bonner, executive director of the United Methodist Church Foundation (UMCF), convened the task force. It comprises representatives from the General Boards of Church & Society (GBCS), Global Ministries (GBGM), Pension & Health Benefits (GBPHB), General Council on Finance & Administration (GCFA) and the National Assn. of United Methodist Foundations.

“The task force recognizes that numerous other individuals and institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church invest funds,” Bonner said. “We want to ensure that the task force considers the opinions of as many UMC investors as possible.”

The task force developed a brief survey regarding investing practices and standards. “The survey is designed to assess where we are as a denomination in the area of socially responsible investing,” explained Wesley Paulson, editor of the survey. “Some investors follow a do-not-buy investment policy, while others seek to encourage engagement with corporations through shareholder advocacy.”

Paulson, who is chief financial officer of GBCS and the General Commission on Religion & Race, said the survey solicits information about types of socially responsible investing, methods used to determine investments in general, and actions that may stem from investment decisions. It also asks about social justice issues, including human rights issues, important to investors.

The survey should take no more than five minutes, according to Paulson. It is being handled through a secure server to ensure confidentiality of information.

To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=1oaTQLcQDQqWw8xU3m5%2bNwJIn%2fEba%2fZe6JE0e28bGNI%3d&

Deadline to fill out the survey is March 10.

The task force will report its progress to the 2012 General Conference.

You may contact any task force member for more information.

Members of the Socially Responsible Investing Task Force besides Bonner and Paulson are the following: the Rev. Faith Fowler, GBCS board member; Dan Gara, treasurer, California-Pacific Conference and GCFA member; Bill Junk, president, Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation; the Rev. James Mentzer, director of planned giving, United Methodist Foundation (North Carolina); Vidette Bullock Mixon, GBPHB director corporate relations; Wayne Moy, GBGM associate treasurer and co-executive director, United Methodist Development Fund; John Redmond, GBGM board member; and Dave Zellner, GBPHB chief investment officer.

Bonner can be reached at (615) 308-9178 or bbonner@umcfoundation.org.