Socially responsible investments

November 2005

Most investors send corporate management a very simple message: Make me more money. Social investors send a slightly different message: Make me money, but not at the expense of the planet and its people.

Social investing is an increasingly popular option for investors who want their money to serve their financial goals as well as their broader goals for society. Social investors recognize that the actions of companies have a tremendous impact on our economic, social, and environmental well-being, which is why they incorporate their values and social concerns into their investing decisions.

Socially responsible mutual fund companies look for promising companies that meet their rigorous financial and social screening criteria. The social screens will vary from fund to fund, but typically include assessments of how the company treats the environment, its employees, its community, and its consumers.

Typically, socially responsible mutual funds use some or all of the following social screens to analyze companies:

• Governance and ethics.
• Workplace.
• Environment.
• Product safety and impact.
• International operations and human rights.
• Indigenous peoples’ rights.
• Community relationship.

The way you invest does matter

Socially responsible investing helps change the world in four ways:

• Encourages disclosure: Social investors help press companies to disclose their social and environmental performance more fully.
• Disclosure helps investors, consumers, and legislators make informed decisions about what they will invest in, what they will buy, and what they will allow.
• Raises public awareness: Social investors serve as an early warning system for companies as well as society on a variety of issues from sweatshops to fair-trade coffee to global warming.
• Changes corporate policies and practices: Shareholder advocacy by social investors has led to positive change on labor practices, environmental standards, and more.
• Fills capital gaps: Social investors channel money to underserved urban and rural communities for the benefit of borrowers, homebuyers, and start-up businesses.
  

Social investment opportunities for WEAC members

The Trust added its first socially responsible fund – Domini Social Equity – in 1997. We have since added three more – Ariel, Ariel Appreciation, and Calvert World Values International Equity – making it possible for participants in our TSA and IRA programs to create a diversified portfolio that consists entirely of socially responsible funds.

• Large-Cap Stock Fund
  Domini Institutional Social Equity (DIEQX)
  
• Mid-Cap Stock Fund
  Ariel Appreciation (CAAPX)
  
• Small-Cap Stock Fund
  Ariel (ARGFX)
  
• International Stock Fund
  Calvert World Values International (CWVIX)

Before investing in any mutual fund, call WEA Trust Member Benefits at 1-800-279-4030 to request a prospectus. We advise you to read it carefully and consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company.

For more information about socially responsible investing in a WEA Trust TSA or WEAC IRA, call one of our consultants at 1-800-279-4030.
For information about the Trust's TSA program, visit weatrust.com, e-mail us at memberbenefits@weatrust.com, or call us at 1-800-279-4030.

2006 rate of return is 4.5% for WEA guaranteed accounts

The 2006 guaranteed annual rate of return is 4.5% for the WEA Trust TSA Guaranteed Investment and WEAC IRA Guaranteed Account.
From January 1 through December 31, 2006, your WEA Trust TSA program Guaranteed Investment and WEAC IRA Guaranteed Account will earn a 4.5% annual rate of return.*

*Interest is compounded daily to produce a 4.5% annual yield prior to the deduction of service expenses of the Trust.

Posted November 4, 2005