Letter from President and CEO, Sally Jewell
September 2009
As the largest member-owned cooperative in the nation, REI is a different kind of business. Stewardship has been intentionally built into the co-op's core purpose — to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. We fulfill our commitment when our communities benefit, the planet thrives and more people experience the wonders of nature.
REI's stewardship efforts are present in our workplace culture, partnerships with nonprofits, and engagement with our members and communities. Increasingly, collaborating with our industry peers also plays an essential role in collectively supporting lasting change where our businesses impact communities around the world.
While we continue to manage REI through a challenging economic climate, our commitment to stewardship remains steadfast. This includes grants of money, gear and volunteers to nonprofits that share our dedication to connecting children to nature, supporting outdoor recreation, and environmental conservation. We also work to run our business in a manner that reduces our environmental impact while delivering financial results.
We invite you to read our 2008 stewardship report. Our intention is to provide a candid assessment about achievements and challenges in our social and environmental efforts.
We welcome your constructive feedback on our report through the survey available here. Your candor will help ensure we are providing relevant information in future reports and co-op communications.
Thank you for your interest in REI's stewardship efforts. I look forward to seeing you on the trail and I encourage you to bring along a young person who can begin a lifetime of loving nature!
Warmly,
Sally Jewell
REI President and CEO
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