Wow! That’s all I can say after yesterday’s NH Businesses for Social Responsibility 6th Annual Spring Conference.  I’ve always enjoyed being around people who are doing the right thing for the right reasons and yesterday I was surrounded by business leaders who are truly making a positive difference in their communities. Here’s a brief write-up about the event. Special thanks to Kate Luczko at NHBSR for all of her background work and copywriting and to NHBSR Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith for allowing me to serve on the board of this fantastic organization.

Hypertherm was named the 2009 Cornerstone Award winner by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) at NHBSR’s 6th Annual Spring Conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH.

“It’s entirely fitting that we are honoring Hypertherm at a conference that is celebrating sustainability and corporate citizenship,” said NHBSR Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith. “With a corporate culture that focuses on care for the community and the environment, Hypertherm is a company that sets the pace in terms of ‘doing well by doing good.’”

Based in Hanover, this world class plasma cutting manufacturer consistently partners with organizations and engages in activities that strengthen and create sustainable, positive change in the communities and environment. The Hypertherm Owners’ Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) program fulfills the company’s commitment to share its success with the community. The program’s focus is on promoting the well-being of children and families by supporting organizations in the areas of arts and education, affordable housing, healthcare and the environment. Over the past several years, millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours have been donated to nonprofit organizations.

The four other finalists for this year’s Cornerstone Award were: Antioch University New England, BAE Systems, Electronics, Intelligence & Support, Stonyfield Farm and Simply Green Biofuels.

The NHBSR Cornerstone Award is presented every year at the NHBSR Spring Conference to a company, organization or individual that exemplifies the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and promotes the concepts of CSR to the greater business community within the state of New Hampshire.

This year’s NHBSR Spring Conference, titled “Sustainability – The New Frontier For Revenue Growth,” focused on how businesses can incorporate more sustainable practices in the workplace while saving resources and creating a return on investment.

The conference incorporated a variety of ‘green’ elements including carbon offset, recycling, minimizing waste and sustainable menu choices.

Additionally, the conference featured two prominent keynote speakers; Andrew Savitz, Author, The Triple Bottom Line: How Today’s Best-Run Companies Are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success, and Dr. Tom Kelly, Director, Office of Sustainability, University of New Hampshire. It also featured numerous morning and afternoon educational breakout sessions, lunchtime CSR discussion circles, and a “Green Drinks” themed cocktail hour to end the day. To learn more about NHBSR, visit www.nhbsr.org.

– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director