Socially Conscious

What is Socially Responsible Investing?

Socially Responsible Investing, also called Socially Conscious Investing, is the process of only investing in companies that meet the investor's standards of ethics and operational habits.

Usually socially conscious investors invest in companies that are environmentally friendly and not involved in businesses that are perceived to harm the general population such as many fuel companies, casinos, alcohol and tobacco. Elysium Associates has a firm commitment to charities and social causes. We encourage clients to help the greater good by voting with their investment dollars and choosing to invest in socially responsible investments. Indeed, the act of saving and living modestly implies a certain concern for the environment and for community.

Each year, Michael and his family donate money and time to charities, emphasizing sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint and helping to build our community.  Michael added 14 photovoltaic solar panels in 2009 to what was his Glens Falls office at that time.  Installing larger windows and skylights added to the passive cooling and heating of the office and converting all the lightbulbs to LEDs further reduced the environmental footprint of that office.  He has recycled his shredding for years and last year moved his office to Glens Falls to be closer to home and also to reduce the carbon footprint of his business by having a shorter commute.

Alternative energy is something close to Michael's heart and he would be happy to talk to you more about it.  He had a front page article published regarding putting solar panels on the Glens Falls Civic Center a while back and he hopes to buy more panels and an electric car in the next 5 years.  If you would like to discuss alternative energy, whether as an investment motif or as a topic of interest, please call or send Michael an e-mail at Michael@elysiumassociates.com.

How Does Socially Responsible Investing Help?

When you invest in socially conscious investments you are helping social causes in two important ways: First, you are assisting socially conscious companies by investing in them and secondly you are sending a message to other companies that socially responsible investing pays off in goodwill among consumers which translates into profits.

Elysium Associates can help you find a socially responsible investment that fits your situation and preferences. We do this by having you complete an Investor Profile Questionnaire, which we then use to create an Investor Policy Statement. This statement gives you (and us) a starting point to use when we establish your socially responsible investment account, as well as something to use as a frame of reference when we revisit your financial situation in future years, your goals and your needs.

It is arguably impossible to predict what the financial markets will do in the next year. We certainly don't feel that we have that sort of crystal ball! If only we did! What is easier to predict is how an investor might feel if the markets drop a certain amount and how his or her plans would be affected if that drop occurred.

One of the key services we provide is to help investors understand the risks associated with any investment and to help each investor to take on only the level of risk (or less) with which he or she is comfortable. For more information or if you would like us to answer any questions you have please call 866-606-4122, or e-mail Michael at michael@elysiumassociates.com (please be sure to include your name and phone number in your email).