In a society dominated by huge corporations, it's heartening to know that businesses don't have to be purely self-interested. Especially for the green movement, businesses who care about the welfare of their communities can be an important driving force for positive change. Luckily, more and more businesses are discovering that social responsibility can be directly tied to profitability—a win-win for everyone. New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) is a network of businesses committed to socially responsible business practice, a group that continues to explore how kind business and good business can spur each other forward.

Every spring, the NHBSR holds a conference to interrogate how social responsibility relates to the workplace, community, and environment. The conference features a prominent, respected leader in the world of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) to deliver an opening keynote address, and continues through a series of educational workshops, with CSR discussion circles during lunch. The conference also allows plenty of time for networking. This year's NHBSR conference, "Walking the Talk: The Profitability in Values," will continue to explore the integral link between social responsibility and the bottom line.

"CSR is clearly an important issue in today's business climate as evidenced by the number of leading NH companies involved with the event," said Jill Wurm, conference chair and director of public relations at Fairpoint. "All of the speakers we've brought to the conference were helpful in outlining how employees can drive CSR and the benefits to having employees involved in CSR."

This year's conference promises to be a great event—already, many different businesses are signing up to sponsor every aspect of the conference, from the silent auction to the carbon offset costs. The conference will take place on May 14th, at the Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth, and will run from 8am to 4pm. Registration is typically $100 for NHBSR members, $125 for non-members, and $30 for students. Attending the conference is a wonderful way keep up-to-date with the newest tools and strategies for growing your business while still being true to your values, and the event will be a great opportunity to trade ideas with other business people who care.

To register, visit www.nhbsr.org, or call (603) 391-8471.