Do you look for financial return at almost any cost?

If your retirement plan provider knowingly supports investments that support governments engaged in crimes against humanity, e.g. Sudan, would you switch?

That’s exactly what the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) did to Fidelity.  UUA switched away from Fidelity when it became clear that “Fidelity’s position on investing in the Sudan hadn’t changed one iota,” according to Peter Muellar, President of UUA .

Unitarian Universalist is a liberal religion with Judeo-Christian roots. It has no creed. It affirms the worth of human beings, advocates freedom of belief and the search for advancing truth, and tries to provide a warm, open, supportive community for people who believe that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion.  The Unitarian Universalist Organizations Retirement Plan provides benefits to about 2,800 UUA staff members, ministers, church staff, and their families, with investments totaling approximately $178 million. Fidelity has managed the UUA accounts since 1999.

Sometimes, we go too far in our analysis of what we buy — should I buy organic free range non toxic carpet cleaner for my yacht?   In the case of crimes against humanity, however, its not a joke.  We can do something about these atrocities when we object to financially backing them.

One of the key characteristics of our community, is the strong desire to pay attention to what we buy and who we support.  We are torn about pulling into the BP station for a fill up; “Am I using too much petroleum?  Why am I supporting BP?  Don’t I hurt my neighbor when I boycott his station even though he has nothing to do with the spill?”

We cannot get every decision right. Moving toward a sustainable and responsible lifestyle is a process not a destination. We’re always considering options.  We’re constantly asking ourselves, “How far should I go?”

Investing is an area where many are easily confused about impact and options.  Understanding and offering appropriate investment options as an employer of a mission driven organization is a whole new row, which most don’t want to hoe.

In primitive times, it was an easy choice to choose Fidelity for a 401(k) option.  As a retirement plan record keeper and administrator, Fidelity is one of the best.  As a result, I see a lot of mission driven, sustainable, responsible and conscientious organizations with Fidelity 401(k) plans.  However, the fact remains that Fidelity’s position on certain investments are not in-line with those employee’s beliefs and moral compasses.  If you are currently using Fidelity ask them to divest from the Sudan, and see what they say. If your employer is using Fidelity ask them to consider switching, and see what they say.

Check out the links below and begin to consider not only who your provider is, but what companies the funds they offer hold.

Money Central has a great tool to look at top 25 holdings of almost any mutual fund.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/partsub/funds/holdings.asp?symbol=csxax&Funds=1

Scan your fund for animal testing, GMO crops, environmental degradation, human rights violations, and genocide, and determine whether your money is growing with the right people.

These recent press releases speak to the issue of genocide.

UUA Moves Retirement Plan from Fidelity to TIAA-CREF. Announcement from the UUA, May 21, 2010. (UUA.org)
Special Board Meeting, May 20, 2010. Agenda and reports. (UUA.org)
TIAA-CREF. Will begin managing UU retirement funds beginning in the fall of 2010. (tiaa-cref.org)
End Crimes Against Humanity in Darfur, Sudan. Action of Immediate Witness passed by the UUA General Assembly, 2005. (UUA.org)
UUA pressures Fidelity over Sudanese investments Retirement plan holders urged to change funds. Jane Greer