VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/30/15)—As part of its Socially Responsible Investing Ministry and in time for the 2015 proxy voting season, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) shares the “2015 Proxy Resolutions and Voting Guide” from the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR).

“Proxy voting is an important way for faith-based investors to speak into the values and practices of corporations,” says Michaele Birdsall, ABHMS deputy executive director/treasurer and chief financial officer. “It’s a way to give credible voice to why providing a living wage, protecting the environment and working for a more just and sustainable world is key to protecting and enhancing shareholder value.”

The guide features information about 227 ICCR member-sponsored shareholder resolutions, including those regarding carbon dioxide emissions and climate change, genetically modified and fair-trade food, human trafficking, pay disparity and corporate governance.

“Proxy voting is an important part of your shareholder rights and responsibilities,” says Dave L. Moore Jr., ABHMS director of investments.

Another resource for American Baptists is ABHMS’ “Revised Guidelines Relating to Social Criteria for Investments.” It outlines corporate securities in which ABHMS does not invest, including those related to tobacco, gambling and pornography.

A coalition of approximately 300 faith-based institutional investors, ICCR seeks to transform the corporate world by integrating social values into corporate and investor actions. ABHMS is a founding member of ICCR.

For more information about socially responsible investing, visit ABHMS’ website or contact Moore at dave.moore@abhms.org or 800-222-3872, x2385.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.