Initiatives
SumOfUs

SumOfUs can be a powerful tool for restoring democracy -- and saving the planet

Burgess COMMENTARY

The Issue of Metrics ... Lots for profit, little for people and planet

The SumOfUs initiative makes a lot of sense, and I wish it success. I have a passion for metrics, in part because they are immensely powerful. The problem we have as a society and global economy is that the dominant metrics are the terrible trio of (1) money profit for business; (2) stock prices for investors; and, (3) GDP growth for policy makers. There is nothing in the mainstream metrics that account for impact on people and planet in a manner that is rigorous and quantified in an understandable manner.

When did you last go to a major sporting event where they didn't keep score?

I am working on a system of metrics that will have the same level of rigor for people and planet as is the norm for profit. It is not easy, but it can be done thanks to modern technology.

I have considerable experience in corporate management including CFO and experience in the global humanitarian and development sector where human issues are bigger than profit. Unfortunately there is massive asymmetry in the state of metrics in these two arenas.

SumOfUs makes the point that we can make a difference. I argue better metrics will help.

Peter Burgess TrueValueMetrics

Gmail Peter Burgess
Fwd: Taking on corporate power
Mark Roest
Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Bcc: peterbNYC@gmail.com

Hello All,

SumOfUs can be a powerful tool for restoring democracy -- and saving the planet. I invite you to introduce your networks to it, with the understanding that it is just a beginning, but potentially strategically important. Other groups can ally with it and with each other, to shift our resources to nurturing and sustainable directions.

Regards,

Mark

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Taren S-K, SumOfUs.org
Date: Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Subject: Taking on corporate power
To: Mark Roest

Welcome to consumer movement SumOfUs! Could you do us a quick favor and reply to this message, just to say 'Hi'? Sending us that simple word once will let your email provider know that we're welcome in your inbox as we continue to build a better world, together.

Mark,

Doesn’t it seem like every time you turn on the TV or log onto Facebook, big business is once again pushing an agenda that maximizes profits over workers’ rights, consumers rights, and basic human rights?

Whether it’s earning record profits while the rest of us languish in debt or causing environmental crises and then covering them up; whether it's working employees to death or wiggling out of every tax and regulation the government can manage to pass; or... The list just goes on and on! You name it, and corporations are behind it. And instead of being held accountable, CEOs are getting richer by the second while the rest of us hope to make it to our next paycheck!

But the world doesn’t have to be this way. Because we have a secret: We own the corporations that are causing all these problems. They rely on us to buy their products. They count on us to buy their stock. They need us to work for them. Without us, these massive corporations have no power.

That’s where we -- SumOfUs.org -- come in. By taking action this week, you have joined a new movement of individuals from all over the world, uniting together to demand that corporations put people over profits.

Here’s what we stand for:

• Governments that answer to citizens – not corporations;
• Fair treatment of workers and the right of every human being to make a living, safely and ethically, for themselves and their families;
• The right of ordinary consumers to buy products that are produced and marketed ethically, sustainably and transparently;
• The right of communities to manage and protect their own environment and natural resources;
• Business models that put people and the planet first instead of being driven by short-sighted greed.

We are the SumOfUs, and together, we can build a just society for all.
- Taren, Kaytee, Claiborne, Rob, Angus, Anthony, and the rest of the team

SumOfUs.org is a new world-wide movement for a better global economy.

Here’s what we stand for:

• Governments that answer to citizens – not corporations
• Fair treatment of workers and the right of every human being to make a living, safely and ethically, for themselves and their family;
• The right of ordinary consumers to products that are produced and marketed ethically, sustainably and transparently;
• The right of communities to manage and protect their own environment and natural resources;
• Business models that put people and the planet first instead of being driven by shortsighted greed.

We’ve witnessed again and again what happens when powerful corporations get their way:

• Environmental and health catastrophes like Fukushima and the BP oil disaster;
• A global financial crisis that destroys entire economies;
• Rising food prices and starving children;
• Families from Kalamazoo to Timbuktu losing their houses and land;
• Poisons pouring into our air and water.

But the world doesn’t have to be this way. And here’s the secret: We own the corporations that are causing all these problems. They rely on us to buy their products. They count on us to buy their stock. They need us to work for them. They need us to continue to elect governments that let them get away with murder.

We are SumOfUs.org, and we’re not going to take it anymore.

SumOfUs.org is a 501c(4) non-profit incorporated in Washington, DC, with a 501c(3) fiscal sponsorship arrangement through the New Organizing Institute Education Fund.

SumOfUs.org is a member-driven movement, and we want to hear from you! Do you have a suggestion for a future campaign, a way to improve our website, a personal story you would like to share or a tip on something we could do to make us more effective? Let us hear from you through the form on the right!

If you’d prefer, you may also send us mail at:
SumOfUs
PO Box 20447
New York, NY 10011
United States