IN THIS ISSUE:

• Not Very HIP: How To Influence ExxonMobil (XOM) as an Investor & Consumer
• Totally HIP: Join Our June 10 Investor Roundtable on Renewable Energy 
• Roundtable Round-Up:  Fill Yourself Up with Sustainable Food + Beverage 
• HIP Is Hiring: HIP Portfolio Manager
• HIP Your Portfolio with Investor Services

 
ExxonMobil is Not Very HIP:  How to Take Action - as an Investor & Consumer
 
If you own mutual funds or participate in a pension fund, chances are you've got a piece of ExxonMobil - whether you want it or not. News from the oil giant's recent annual meeting isn't good, but we've got strategies you can use to send Exxon a message - as a shareholder and a consumer.

This week, shareholders of ExxonMobil, the second largest firm in the world with $372 billion in revenue last year (topped only by Wal-Mart), ceremoniously rejected proposals to become more HIP. Several measures that fell short of shareholder approval would have created the mandate to up ExxonMobil's HIP factors:

• Increasing renewable energy research (27% support by shareholders)
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions more aggressively (31% support)
• Splitting the CEO from the Chair role so it can be more independent of management and responsive to overall shareholder concerns (39.5% support)
• Instituting non-discrimination by sexual orientation and gender identity (39.6% support - ExxonMobil is the only major oil company to avoid this policy)

This news is no surprise. In a HIP rating of Big Oil companies in the February 2008 issue of Fast Company magazine, ExxonMobil ranked second to last among US-based energy companies (only Valero was worse). Contributing to this low score was an extensive lobbying effort (including opposing the science of climate change) and the worst greenhouse gas emissions performance by volume and ratio of any top-ten energy company.  (See the Big Oil analysis)
 
So how HIP is ExxonMobil?  Not very.  The HIP management practices score rated a 10 of 25, and its impact score, incorporating Health, Wealth, Earth, Equality and Trust, a 39 of 100.  (See Exxon's Score)

What can you do to exert pressure on companies, including ExxonMobil, to become more HIP? A short list:

1. Vote your proxies as a shareholder 
2. Buy gas from HIP energy companies
3. Engage the portfolio managers of your funds
4. Consider renewable energy investments
5. Tell Big Oil what you want!

Want to know more about how to take action?  Read more about these strategies HERE.

Join JUNE 10:  HIP Roundtable on Renewable Energy: "Hot Investments to Cool Climate Change"

If you'd invested in Exxon Mobil (XOM) at the beginning of 2007, your money would have grown 28% in one year. Not bad. But if you'd invested in First Solar (FSLR, which makes thin-film solar panels), you would have realized an amazing 849% return! Renewable Energy is more than a good idea, it can be a great investment.  (So far this year, the two companies are neck and neck in annual share price returns).

How can you help reduce greenhouse gases, help make the U.S. more energy independent - and also capitalize on the coming energy revolution?  Come learn on June 10.
 
Join HIP Investor's rapidly growing Investor Roundtable Series and learn about some of the HIPpest companies in the Renewable Energy industry.

Invited speakers from companies ranging from publicly traded companies investing in renewables to private firms that reduce carbon-intensity will share their expertise and approach to the future of energy. Through speakers and discussion, the Roundtable will address how companies simultaneously solve customer needs, benefit the environment, and make money for investors.

EVENT DETAILS
Date:  Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Time:  6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Downtown San Francisco, close to Muni/BART

RSVP: http://juneroundtable.eventbrite.com/

OUR AGENDA
6:00pm  Network with HIP Investors - from hedge fund managers to MBA students
6:30pm  Learn the latest HIP perspective on Renewable Energy and hear from industry leaders
7:15pm  Discuss Renewable Energy investment opportunities
7:45pm  Meet fellow HIP Investors

If you have any questions, please contact Dana Roytenberg at Dana@hipinvestor.com

RSVP for June 10: http://juneroundtable.eventbrite.com/
 

READ HIP'S BLOG ON RENEWABLE ENERGY
 

May Roundtable Round-Up:  Fill Up on Sustainable Food + Beverage
 
This month's HIP Roundtable featured sustainable, fair-trade and organic food and beverage innovators: 

• Greg Steltenpohl, co-founder of Adina (www.adinaforlife.com) healthy juices, coffees and energy drinks (and co-founder of Odwalla juices, now owned by Coca-Cola) talked about the challenges that a HIP entrepreneur faces - and why it's worth doing things right.
• Alison Vercruysse, founder of 18 Rabbits Inc (www.18rabbits.com), maker of organic granola bars and snacks, shared creative strategies for getting her artisanal products in front of consumers via non-traditional channels, like hotels and Peet's Coffee & Tea locations.
• Carrie Oliver, founder of Oliver Ranch (www.oliverranch.com), which connects customers directly with varietal breeds of beef, explained how she is getting consumers to think of beef the way they think of fine wine.

MORE YUMMY GOODIES:  Coupon codes for Father's Day and July Gifts from Oliver Ranch (good til June 30)!

HIP Hiring:  HIP Portfolio Manager;
and Net Impact Career Center

HIP: Portfolio Manager, Investor Services
HIP Investor Inc. is seeking an experienced portfolio manager to achieve sustainable, profitable growth for our clients - and to help launch our upcoming HIP portfolios and funds.

LEARN MORE and contact Jessica Skylar at  Jessica@HIPInvestor.com

Net Impact Career Center
Check out Net Impact's Career Center, an international hub of socially and environmentally responsible careers.  Search opportunities and post your open jobs today.

START YOUR SEARCH TODAY

HIP Your Portfolio with Investor Services
 
HIP Investor serves a spectrum of investors, from accredited individuals and family foundations, to institutional investors and endowments, to everyday investors.  HIP provides of a range of financial services, including:

• Managing your wealth
• Analyzing your portfolio
• Researching new investments and due diligence
• Coming soon! HIP portfolios and HIP funds

Please contact Jessica Skylar (Jessica@HIPinvestor.com ) to learn more.