The IRRC Institute Press Conference & Lunch on New Study

“Corporate Governance of Political Expenditures: 2011 Benchmark Report on S&P 500 Companies”

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC) Institute and the Sustainable Investment Institute (SI2) will host a lunch press conference to release the findings of a new report, “Corporate Governance of Political Expenditures: 2011 Benchmark Report on S&P 500 Companies,” on Thursday, November 10, 2011, from 12:00 - 1:30 PM at The National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The study comes just one year before the 2012 election – the first Presidential election since the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that lifted key restrictions on corporate political spending. This new study offers the benchmark analysis to reveal how companies and boards are responding to the growing chorus for greater transparency and oversight and examines all types of corporate political expenditures: direct campaign contributions, contributions to political committees, indirect contributions, and lobbying. The event will present findings based on the most comprehensive data analysis available, and will highlight the business and investor perspective.

WHAT:	Press Conference and Lunch to Release New Study: Corporate Governance of Political Expenditures: 2011 Benchmark Report on S&P 500 Companies
	This new report is an update to the first benchmark study issued in 2010 by the IRRC Institute and SI2 that documented political spending governance at all S&P 500 companies. That study, then the most comprehensive to date, found that 86% of companies did not disclose policies on indirect political expenditures.
	This new study analyzes key data and trends on corporate policies, board oversight, and spending disclosures at all S&P 500 companies. It documents changes in the last year and assesses corporate spending footprints, intensity of expenditures, and spending by revenue and sector, and includes case studies.
	The findings will be presented followed by a panel discussion of the investor and business perspective on the study.
WHEN:	Thursday, November 10, 2011, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
	Register at:
	https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=slt7y9cab&oeidk=a07e53un2ad32ee3f76&oseq=
WHO:	Hosted by the IRRC Institute. Speaker and panelists include:
	Amy Borrus, Deputy Director, Council of Institutional Investors
	Charles Kolb, President, Committee for Economic Development
	Jon Lukomnik, Executive Director, IRRC Institute
	Heidi Welsh, Report Author and Executive Director, Sustainable Investments Institute
WHERE:	National Press Club
	529 14th Street, NW
	Washington, DC 20045
AGENDA:	12:00 PM	Welcome
	12:05 PM	Luncheon
	12:30 PM	Presentation of Report Findings
	1:00 PM	Panel Discussion: The Business, Investor Perspective

HOW TO REGISTER: Visit the web site below to register.

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=slt7y9cab&oeidk=a07e53un2ad32ee3f76&oseq=

About IRRC Institute

The IRRC Institute is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York, N.Y. that provides thought leadership at the intersection of corporate responsibility and the informational needs of investors. More information is at www.irrcinstitute.org.