GUIDELINES TO CURB CONTROVERSIES
OVER "BIG BOX" STORE LOCATIONS

Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. (CBIS) and Domini Social Investments (Domini) have released a new report titled "Outside the Box: Guidelines for Retail Store Siting." In it, CBIS and Domini encourage retailers to create -- and implement -- clearly formulated, well-monitored and effective policies for assessing and mitigating social and environmental risks associated with store siting.

The CBIS and Domini's guidelines recommend that major retailers embrace environmental stewardship; public disclosure of siting policies; advance consultation with affected communities; respect for Indigenous cultures; protection of cultural heritage; and adherence to "smart growth" practices. The report also contains dozens of examples of past controversies, some positive cases, and many suggestions and resources that companies may use to minimize future conflicts.

The following organizations, institutional investors and mutual fund families representing $33 billion in assets under management, support the guidelines: Boston Common Asset Management; Calvert Group; Catholic Healthcare West; Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; General Board of Pension and Health Benefits United Methodist Church; Program Directors for Energy & Environment and Contract Supplier and Human Rights Working Groups of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility; Maryknoll Sisters; NorthStar Asset Management, Inc.; Progressive Investment Management; Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Social Justice Office; Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia; Office of PeacSt. Francis of Philadelphia; Office of Peace and Justice Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth, Michigan; Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia; Pax World Funds; Sierra Club Mutual Funds; The Ethical Funds Company; The Oneida Trust Committee of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; Trillium Asset Management; and Walden Asset Management.