New England Forestry participates in the policymaking process through direct lobbying, trade association engagement, and political contributions. Our work to shape public policy helps us maintain our license to operate—to plant and nurture healthy, abundant, and sustainable working forests for the benefit of both current and future generations.
This policy covers the use of company funds, assets, and resources for political purposes, including the support of candidates and political initiatives. This policy applies to directors, officers, and employees of New England Forestry and its subsidiaries.
Responsibilities
We are committed to upholding ethical practices in our involvement with the political landscape. To ensure compliance with the law, company funds, assets, and resources may not be used for political purposes without the prior written approval of the Public Affairs Department, which shall obtain any other required or appropriate approvals. These include, without limitation:
- Contributions (monetary or in-kind) to current or potential candidates for political office, including their election campaigns, political action committees, fund-raising initiatives, or similar organizations;
- Contributions to any political party or issue advocacy organization;
- Allowing any candidate or political organization use or visit a New England Forestry facility or present to New England Forestry employees;
- Providing goods or services from New England Forestry to any candidate or his/her campaign, such as office space, volunteer time by New England Forestry employees while on the job, computer services, copying/publishing materials, food, transportation, or similar items; and
- Contributions to industry associations and arrangements to fund industry-based initiatives, whether directly or indirectly.
Oversight
Our Public Affairs Department oversees and has final authority over all the Company’s political spending. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors also has regular oversight of the Company’s political expenditures made with corporate funds.
Our political contributions promote the Company’s interests as an organization, and are not influenced by any individual director, executive, or employee's personal political preferences. Our political spending is not aimed at anticipating or receiving any official act in return. We do not contribute to federal independent expenditure organizations, super PACs, or 527 groups.
Owner: Public Affairs Department
Approved by: Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications
Number 3.10 | Effective: 7/1/12 | Revised 3/5/24