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What if there was a national holiday where we celebrate TREES!! That would be really wonderful for the Earth and all of us living here. What if that holiday was in the Springtime during Earth Month!! Well… guess what… there IS. That national holiday is on Friday, April 28 and it’s called Arbor Day.

Arbor Day celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. It’s global, celebrated in the Springtime around the world. Preservation of trees brings to mind the destruction of the rainforest – a devastating practice that concerns us all. There are many efforts of organizations to plant trees and repair what has been destroyed. Some organizations focus on the rainforest, some focus in areas where strip mining has been done, and some focus on inner city deserts. We will share two of these inspiring stories.

AMS gives their holiday gift to Rainforest Trust because trees matter and rainforests matter a whole lot. AMS is a B Corporation with a focus on preserving the environment. For several years a group of employees, making up the AMS Green Team, has been engaged in reducing our environmental impact. We report on their progress in our Green Team blog.

Interestingly, people have been concerned with the environment for 150 years as evidenced by Arbor Day! Arbor Day dates back to the 1870s when a couple, Julius and Caroline Morton, purchased 160 acres of land in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in a flat stretch of barren land. Julius Morton became the editor of the state’s first newspaper. He used the platform to stress the ecological importance of trees. His readers recognized the importance of his message and from this beginning came Arbor Day.

Arbor Day became an official state holiday in Nebraska in 1885. Within 20 years Arbor Day was celebrated in every state but Delaware. In 1907 the US President, Theodore Roosevelt, issued an Arbor Day proclamation to school children as follows:

“It is well that you should celebrate your Arbor Day thoughtfully, for within your lifetimes the Nation’s need of trees will become serious. We of an older generation can get along with what we have, though with growing hardship; but in your full manhood and womanhood you will want what nature once so bountifully supplied and man so thoughtlessly destroyed.”

How can we celebrate Arbor Day? People often plant a tree and dedicate that tree to a loved one. Trees bring so much reward as they grow and flourish and flower and bear fruit. The founder of Arbor Day left a message that resonates strongly today: “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

Some Tree Stories

There are some fascinating historical stories of people planting trees that go back to Spain in 1594, so this idea is not a new thing. But it is more urgent than ever before as we see vital forests and other areas stripped of their animal, plant and tree life in order to extract resources.

We would like to share with readers two stories, among many, of people and organizations giving back life to the land by planting trees. The first is about what is called a ‘food desert’. In a low-income community, in Miami, where there are no fresh food stores and good food is very hard to find, there is a garden growing, with abundant fruit trees that offer the neighborhood food as well as beauty. Quoting from the article:

“Brownsville is what is known as a food desert. Food deserts are areas in urban and rural settings that lack traditional supermarkets—in other words, processed food wastelands. Nearly 24 million Americans live in areas with limited or no access to grocery stores that offer fresh produce. Like so many food deserts, Brownsville was left with little hope. Until the community came together and grew it.” Enjoy the full story HERE.

Our second story is about a wonderful forest in West Virginia called Monongahela National Forest. Apparently when the US Forest Service acquired the land there were areas in the forest that had been mined and they hadn’t been restored. The soil in these areas was compacted and there was no native tree cover. This brings invasive species. You can read the story of how the Arbor Foundation, the US Forest Service and an organization called Green Forests Work went in, removed the invasive species, prepared the land and planted trees. There are 25,000 acres being restored. Link to the story HERE.

We would like to offer one more link just for fun. At this link you’ll find a list of famous trees, giving honor to persons or events: HERE. If you have the space and the inspiration to plant a tree for someone you love, please follow your inspiration, send us a photo of your tree and your dedication and we will add the photo to this blog below. Send to the Green Team and… Samantha Hicks!
[email protected] 

For several years we have been writing a B Corporation Series, featuring for the readers some inspiring B Corporations in each blog. April is Earth Month, and B Corporations are focused on the environment and environmental issues. One of the most often discussed issues this year is climate justice. In #38 of our Series we will introduce several B Corporations focused on climate justice.

Google tells us… “Climate justice connects the climate crisis to the social, racial and environmental issues in which it is deeply entangled. It recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income and BIPOC communities around the world, the people and places least responsible for the problem.”

The question for this writing, is how are B Corporations facing Earth Month and Earth Day – what are the B Corps doing? Quoting from a recent article at bcorporation.net: “If B Corps are going to lead a movement of real corporate accountability for this crisis, this work must recognize that social and economic inequity and climate change are linked, that business has been the primary actor in driving forward both, and that the communities that do the least to drive the climate crisis are most heavily impacted by its devastation. In short, our movement’s response to climate change must be grounded in climate justice.”

The article goes on to say that B Corporations, every day, work toward an economic system based not on extraction but on regeneration. There are four B Corps that the article features as examples of being centered on climate justice.

Right People Renewable Energy

First is a company called Right People Renewable Energy (RPRE). The article gives a little history, describing RPRE as a company that…“operates in Singapore and Indonesia, transformed from a labor supply company for the oil and gas sector to a renewable energy business providing employment in low-income and rural communities.”

RPRE describes itself as a company that helps customers switch from pollutive fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, stating, “We are your all-in-one solar provider.” The company serves industrial clients and it provides a number of services to help the company make the change. You can visit their website HERE.

Green Heffa Farms

The next company they feature is a Black-owned medicinal plants and herbs farm called Green Heffa Farms, based in North Carolina. They describe themselves as a farm, a tea company, a natural health brand, and an educational resource. Their website states, “We do a lot on our 14.84 acres.”

“It is our mission to provide our customers with an exemplary experience while providing expanding access to agriculture for underserved and under-represented farmers.” They not only grow their products, which are tea blends, steam blends, herb blends and hemp flower blends, they provide everything from teaching farming to employing individuals in the community to the best ecological practices. This appears to be is an exceptional B Corporation. You can visit their website HERE.

Lotus Foods and Jubilee Justice

These two B Corps are featured together as Lotus Foods has diversified and strengthened their natural products company, and their domestic supply chain, by partnering with Jubilee Justice. According to the article, Jubilee Justice is…”an organization supporting Black farming communities with resources that foster restoration of land stewardship and regenerative foodways.”

The mission of Jubilee Justice is inspiring: “We envision an America where the institutional injustices concerning Land, Race and Money, that are rooted in a history of extraction and exploitation, both spiritually and materially transform toward justice, equity and repair. It will require the redistribution of resources, the equal sharing of knowledge and information, cross-racial and personal healing based on a worldview of interdependence and the active acknowledgement of the Earth and soil upon which all life depends as sacred.” Read about Lotus Foods HERE and Jubilee Justice HERE.

As a B Corporation, AMS is inspired and encouraged by these exceptional B Corporations. We hope our readers enjoy learning about the many dedicated B Corporations that are keeping AMS company in this changing world.

On March 29 the Los Angeles Business Journal hosted an important industry event – their annual Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Symposium & Awards at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. We are very pleased to announce that AMS’ CEO, Jay Catlin, was among the business leaders nominated as finalists at the event for the DE&I CEO of the Year Award.

During the morning session three panel discussions took place with experts covering topics that unfolded and explained some of what has been learned from experience with regard to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. The topics were: “The Cost of Inequity;” “Building a Diverse & Multi-Generational Workforce;” and “What’s Really Working: Journey to Success.” The LABJ DE&I awards panels were exceptionally informative and the awards luncheon followed.

The entire event was live, featuring industry experts discussing ways to advance diversity in the workplace and enable equity and inclusion. At the luncheon business leaders were championed for their ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We are very pleased and proud that Jay and AMS Fulfillment were honored for the longstanding commitment of the company to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.

Jay gave the following statement on his nomination as a finalist: “It is both humbling and an honor to have been nominated for the LA Business Journal’s DE&I 2023 CEO of the Year award. I, along with the other finalists, am an advocate of DE&I.  Since AMS was founded over 20 years ago, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been integral to our success. Although I didn’t win the award, I will continue to ensure that AMS is one of the best companies to work for – and DE&I is at the heart of AMS.”

AMS Fulfillment has cherished diversity ever since its establishment – inclusive of all, dealing fairly and equally with all. Long before AMS became a B Corporation, the company was showing employees the utmost respect, fairness and equity. AMS actively recruits employees from underserved communities, and the AMS workforce mirrors the community. Not only does AMS provide a safe work environment, the company is committed to excellent benefits including free college-level educational classes and training for advancement.

AMS Fulfillment knows that diverse organizations bring a wider range of ideas and experiences to problem-solving, helping companies connect with a broader range of audiences in a culturally competent way. As a B Corporation, AMS is committed to putting purpose over profit. B Corporations are a global movement, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as care for the community and the environment.

Congratulations Jay Catlin for a well-deserved honor. We are proud of how you have guided AMS and thankful for the CEOs before you. AMS is actually Being the change we wish to see in the world. Congratulations to our Finalist!!

We have just entered the month of April! It’s an exciting time for all who are ready for the end of Winter and the return/rebirth of Springtime. But April has even more significance to environmentalists and B Corporations. Not only is Earth Day in April, on the 22nd, but the entire month of April is Earth Month – a time when we give our attention to issues that affect us and Mother Nature.

A quick visit to Google, utilizing the search term “man-made environmental disasters” gives one a sad look at what has been done to the earth in the process of doing business and making a ‘profit’. At Treehugger.com we see a list of ten disasters, most of which have occurred from the 1970s to today. It’s our reality, as citizens of this earth, and one which this commemorative month seeks to change for the better.

Earth Month started as a response to a January 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, which caused major destruction to the environment. In response to that disaster, Earth Month was first celebrated on April 4, 1970.

According to National Today, “ …Earth Month became a global event after 200 million participants from 141 countries joined the initiative. By 1992, the United Nations became actively involved too, which further enhanced the organization’s visibility. Today, Earth Month is widely recognized as one of the most important month-long observances in the world.”

AMS is a B Corporation, and as such, our focus is on doing our best… doing whatever we can to reduce our negative impact on the environment. Purpose before profit is the goal of a B Corporation, and at AMS we seek to Be the Change in a number of ways, very much including our focus on environmental impact. There is a dedicated “Green Team” at AMS made up of employees who meet monthly to discuss improvements that can be made to reduce the environmental impact of our warehouses and offices.

The AMS Green Team is very much engaged in purchasing and using recyclable or biodegradable products. Our Purchasing Department has created a catalog, for use by our clients, of recommended products. As with any fulfillment company, AMS must deal with plastics and packaging – things that need recycling in order to not end up in a landfill. We have found ways to bundle and donate plastic stretch film for recycling into usable products. And we do many other things with regard to packaging, lighting, equipment… anything we can do to reduce our negative impact on the environment.

April is an important month for us in our environmental focus, and AMS employees support the company’s efforts by volunteering for Earth Day events. This year there are four events AMS employees will be participating in as follows:

*AMS Towsley Trail Hike (Cleanup): Start time 10:00 a.m.
24335 The Old Road, Newhall, CA 91321
Register by contacting  [email protected].

*Quartz Hill Open Space Joshua Tree Cleanup: Start time 10:00 a.m.
Quartz Hill Reservoir, 40th St W and M-6, just past Equestrian Way
Register by contacting [email protected]

*Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup: Start Time 11:00am.
100 Museum Rd, Stevens, PA, 17578, USA 
Register by contacting  [email protected]

*Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity
ReStore Pack-A-Truck: Start Time 9:00am
321 A Independence Blvd, Dover, DE 19904 
More information and Registration at their Website:
http://centraldelawarehabitat.org/restore/  

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest In Our Planet, continuing on the same theme from 2022. It’s a call for governments, businesses and individuals to invest in a better future for the planet. Kathleen Rogers, President of Earthday.org offered these encouraging words:

“In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet.”

At AMS Fulfillment we do invest in our planet every day, and we are pleased and proud to be a B Corporation, being the change that we all wish to see in the world. Later this month we will feature the work of our Green Team volunteers on Earth Day! We encourage readers and everyone to do their part in honoring Mother Earth. Have a Happy Earth Month – Volunteer!!

As we were preparing to write an April Fools Day blog, an urgent message, aka “barkisis”, came in from AMS Executive Olivia. Olivia is very well-known in the AMS warehouse as a relatively nosey, opinionated, regal “good looker”. She is an executive, after all, so we’re accustomed to paying attention to her and doing as she says… “Yes ma’am,” and things like that. “We’ll get to it right away ma’am.”

Olivia, speaking through a human barklish translator named Marco, expressed her concerns about herself and her family members being harmed by April Fools jokes. “Last year someone dropped milk duds outside the bathroom door on the floor as some kind of April Fools joke and thank heaven I have a good nose. I know enough to avoid chocolate! Who did that??? That was NOT funny!”

We apologized to Olivia and promised her the floor. No more milk duds or any other item that might be dangerous to her or her kin. “We’re sorry… we will keep you in mind when we’re doing April Fools jokes… promise.” Olivia turned tail and walked away followed by Marco. She actually turned for a moment and did a symbolic leg lift, which we understand to be akin to the human middle finger.

Then she began again… barklish started pouring out. “Why don’t you people do blogs about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month or National Pet First Aid Awareness Month? What about National Heartworm Awareness Month or Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month? You don’t even celebrate Active Dog Month!! I’m beginning to think you people are lame!” Olivia really chewed us out.

She then walked toward the back of the warehouse to commiserate some more with her pal Marco. Marco is the human who had spotted the milk duds (he mistook them for poop and got really grossed out)! We followed and tried to keep out of the way as she stopped for head scratches and pets from her friends. It became very apparent that Olivia has some power at AMS – she is truly at top dog status among the executives, and we were a little worried. We’d better do a good blog!!

Marco speaks fluent barklish and has a long-term snuggle agreement with Olivia. We waited in the background until Olivia left with the humans she allows to love and care for her. Then we approached to find out what kind of blog Olivia wants us to do for April Fools Day. Marco said, one of her AMS compatriots contacted her via Zoom – it was Chewy. Chewy has allowed AMS’ marketing person named Sarah, in Las Vegas, to adopt him. Chewy is very close with Olivia and he wants us to tell a heartbreaking story with a beautiful ending, which is definitely OK with us!! Good stories are good stories!

Chewy came to Sarah from a place called Vegas Shepherd Rescue. According to Marco, Chewy gave a statement in barklish which has been translated into English. Here’s Chewy’s statement:  “It started out ruff for me.  As a pup, I was in an abusive home and was always scared. I escaped and was rescued by Vegas Shepherd Rescue.  After decompressing, I found my furever home.  It wasn’t easy for me – I was so frightened I didn’t even want to go for a car ride!  My new family was patient.  They even brought in a trainer for themselves!  It was fun to watch them learn how to be good dog owners! I never thought life would be so good for me! I still get startled when people scream and loud noises, but I know I won’t be hurt and that I am loved.”  

Wow!! That’s definitely a painful story with a beautiful outcome! Perfect for a blog… but what do we do about April Fools? This Chewy story is no joke… it’s serious stuff. Quite a miracle – good things do happen.

So, we do need to write a blog… and besides… we have to do what Olivia said, with her being an executive and all. A boss is a boss is a boss. Well, how about if we just say Happy April Fools Day – don’t do any jokes that might be harmful to pets – have a heart for all animals, see what joy they bring… and have fun!!

Oh yeah… never mention a relationship with cats in front of Olivia – fair warning!! Do not do it!!!

APRIL FOOLS!!!

In our February Green Team Report we focused on plastic waste and the process of recycling plastic waste. We described a recent recycling solution that the AMS Green Team found to help with the plastic waste generated by the fulfillment process. On average, each facility at AMS receives 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day, and with 5 facilities, that is A LOT of plastic waste. The Green Team located a company to pick up and properly recycle the bailed plastic stretch film once we reach 10K lbs. AMS placed 92 waste bins in all our warehouse facilities so our Teams can properly dispose of this waste, which will be collected, bailed, weighed, and stored.

Item 1 – Plastics

In the March report, we see the following with regard to plastics recycling: “AMS has discovered that one plastic bail weighs on average 250 lbs.  We need about 39 plastic bails to meet our 10K goal to be recycled, and we get money back! Since our plastic waste training on 3/10, the facility that produces the most plastic waste has accumulated 6 plastic film bails.” That’s excellent news – WTG AMS!!

Item 2 – E-book on sustainable packaging

The second item on the agenda was a new, comprehensive, and excellent e-book on sustainable packaging. It contains examples and recommendations on void fill and dunnage, sustainable mailers tape and labels, and sustainable boxes. This catalog allows AMS clients to examine what is currently available and make informed choices if they wish to move toward sustainable packaging. AMS anticipates that many clients will benefit from this catalog and choose best options for themselves and the environment.

Item 3 – Disposal of plastic hangars

The third item is another problem the Green Team has picked up on and done something about. The report says that on the last Green Team walk through the warehouses, on March 15^th, they saw that plastic hangars were being thrown away – to end up in a landfill. They investigated and contacted the client, asking the client to donate, reuse or recycle their plastic hangars, which the client agreed to do.

Item 4 – AMS will be carbon neutral soon

The fourth item on the agenda is about the company’s efforts toward becoming carbon neutral. The report states, “AMS’ journey to being carbon neutral is only a few months away. As of today, our West Coast facilities have officially reported all scope 1 and 2 inventories. We have an estimate of our CO2 emissions and are pleased with the current results! Once we have the East Coast scope 1 and 2 inventories reported, we can officially submit and verify our report to offset our carbon footprint with carbon credits, making AMS carbon neutral. From there, we develop plans to reduce our CO2 emissions.

Item 5 – Great Global Cleanup!

The final item on the agenda is some fun good news. AMS employees, friends and families will be participating in Earth Day, April 22^nd, with the Great Global Cleanup! Readers can learn about it HERE.

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Thank you to Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Organizational Development BP, for the March 2023 Green Team Report. We’ll definitely have some Earth Day reporting to do in April!

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of February: MARY ANNE T., VICTOR L., RUBEN R., LARRY M., HENRY D., ANDREW C., LORI F., and LEA O.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them.

All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch! 

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MARY ANNE T., Staff Accountant (11/30/2020)
HQ Office- Valencia, CA

I would like to nominate Mary Anne for Employee of the Month because she has consistently taken on more responsibility over the last few months, is proactive in dealing with issues before they escalate, and always volunteers to help with special projects within the department. All of that makes her a valuable member of our team, but my favorite part is that she always does it with a smile and a great attitude.  It’s a pleasure working with her!

VICTOR L., Operations Associate II (05/26/2020)
HQ- WH Valencia, CA

My choice is Victor aka “Driver” for February Employee of the Month. He is always doing a great job at helping us transfer product back and forth and does it with a great attitude. Thank you Victor!!

RUBEN R., Inventory Receiving Lead I (12/20/2007)
LIV- Valencia, CA

Ruben is my nominee for February Employee of the Month. He is a dedicated, hardworking employee that is the ultimate team player. Ruben always has his projects finished on time and is currently receiving for AMS’ biggest client at three different warehouses. Ruben is doing an outstanding job. He is a true asset, and he is a pleasure to work with.  Keep up the GREAT WORK RUBEN!!!”

LARRY M., Inventory Receiving Specialist I (09/13/2022)
WIT- Valencia, CA

Larry is a great asset to our inventory team, and he deserves the nomination for Employee of the Month for February. Larry helps wherever he’s needed and a pleasure to work with. He has had another nomination that “seconds that motion”! We appreciate him!

HENRY D., Operations Supervisor I (09/13/2021)
WIL-Valencia, CA

Henry is my choice for Employee of the Month this month. He has really grown in his position as an Operation Supervisor and manages multiple accounts successfully. He is a very hard worker, willing to help his peers in any way needed and help his co-workers. He is dedicated to his clients and his employees. He handles pressure very calmly and makes the best out of worse scenarios. It is a pleasure working with Henry.

ANDREW C., Developer I (01/28/2008)
New Holland, PA

We are nominating Andrew for February Employee of the Month because he is a huge asset to our department and is incredibly deserving of this recognition. He is always there to lend a hand and is not afraid to dive into any problem. He is insightful, upbeat and a great team member to have. Despite his working a lot of overtime to handle issues with our shipping software application, he has always made himself available for questions or assistance in other areas, and always with a great attitude. He consistently demonstrates exceptional skills and knowledge and makes a tremendous impact on our systems. His positive attitude and excellent communication skills make Andrew a pleasure to work with. Andrew truly embodies the qualities of an outstanding employee and deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication.

LORI F., Billing Specialist I (06/18/2001)
New Castle, DE

Lori holds it all together for us here at AMS New Castle and she is our nomination for Employee of the Month. We can go to her for any of our office supply needs, office furniture, packing and shipping material and so much more. She designs and creates informational flyers and posters, as well as any signage we need for our warehouse. Lori also has accounting responsibilities she keeps up with on a regular basis. From your favorite writing tools to monitor risers; anything we need to keep the job going Lori will procure it for us, and she does it with a smile.

LEA O., Exact Staff Newark (09/22/2022)
Newark, DE

We are nominating Lea for Employee of the Month for February. She has been with us since September, and she is a model employee. Lea is here every day and always on time. She always has a positive attitude and is always trying to make everyone around her feel the same. She will stay late whenever she is needed and is always making sure her work is completed for the day. Lea will help wherever she is needed, and she is an important part of our team. So, thank you Lea for all your hard work!!”

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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

KEEP DOING YOU!

March 21^st has been designated as a day to recognize the long and ongoing struggle to eliminate racial discrimination in the world, in our countries, in our workplaces and in our communities. We are all aware of the growth that has been experienced in our culture, and we appreciate and celebrate all progress. We also are aware that there are areas where racism is unfortunately woven and hidden within the structures, which we would call systemic racism. Systemic racism is real and it takes effort to bring an end to it.

The International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination is established by the UN and observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Apartheid existed well within our lifetimes, and it took effort, organizing, and focused action to finally bring it to an end.

Don’t remember apartheid? Wikipedia says, “It was a system of social stratification wherein white citizens had the highest status, followed by Indians and Coloureds, then black Africans.” The whole world had to get involved to change this, and they did. Human beings brought an end to apartheid. The point is, things change, and we are the ones who change things.

From the UN website we see the following:

“The United Nations General Assembly reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. In its most recent resolution, the General Assembly also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.” Read the full article HERE.

It has been 75 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted. We encourage you to read this beautiful document HERE. The UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race and color, among others.

Racism in the US

As we well know, the US has come through a long and painful journey with regard to racism and discrimination. Although racism comes in many colors, the primary battle in the US has been to eliminate racism directed against the descendants of enslaved African men, women and children. We can look back at battles and victories including civil rights and affirmative action.

As mentioned earlier, we are still challenged with systemic racism which is woven into systems such as judicial, educational, healthcare, prison, policing and so forth. It’s the sad truth, but things are always changing for the better, because we do so. With awareness comes the ability and insight to make effective changes. On this commemoration day we can look both at the progress and the work that is yet to be done.

Changes in the Corporate World

In the corporate world, present day efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace, in hiring and promotion, fall under a set of policies and initiatives called DE&I – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. DE&I initiatives are actions taken by a corporation to prioritize building a diverse workforce, and creating a work environment that is equitable and inclusive for everyone.

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation that practices DE&I, and has done so for some time. We have seen that prospective employees are attracted to our company when they see us seeking to establish a workforce made up of diverse backgrounds, with inclusion programs and leaders that support underrepresented groups, especially those that may have faced exclusion and discrimination in other workplaces. DE&I initiatives also serve to keep turnover rates low at AMS and they improve employee morale.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a mindset that encourages a sense of belonging and improved workplace relationships. Employees are encouraged to embrace differences and deal respectfully with conflict. We also encourage our teams to trust each other and know that they can comfortably address concerns with supervisors. Managers are encouraged to be compassionate and have empathy in resolving disputes. They are asked to focus on the needs of their team.

We asked AMS Senior Program Administrator, Samantha Hicks, for her thoughts on how DE&I is utilized at the company: “We ensure all benefits are provided to all employees. All employees have access to internal job openings. We enroll employees of all backgrounds to all our company trainings, which range from trainings on empathy and cultural differences to college course training. AMS has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, including bullying. Our recruitment team targets under-represented communities, and HR takes steps to ensure all disciplinary action and/or promotions are not due to color or culture, but strictly upon performance, ensuring all employees are treated fairly and have the same opportunity for growth.”

BE the Change

At AMS we seek to Be the Change. Yes, there is change that the world longs to see. We are grateful for all B Corporations who make a legal commitment to change the system… the way of doing things for profit alone. Unthinkable things have been done for the purpose of increasing profit. ‘Profit above all’ is a business structure that is changing. As history tells us, we human beings are continuously seeking to make human rights a reality. It is good to look at history and see what we did right

On this important day, we can pause to remember what the Member Countries of the UN wrote – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – some 75 years ago. The changes we are making to systems are one of the many outcomes of this outstanding Declaration.

And we can also gratefully remember the 69 peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, whose death brought change to that inhumane system.

In our modern culture St. Patrick’s Day means fun, parades, some alcoholic beverages, the color green, Irish food, four leaf clovers, leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold and maybe some dancing – and anything else Irish we can think of!! It’s a day to have fun with appreciation of the Irish culture.

Google gives us this instruction: The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. (Céilithe means dance party.)

What’s going on at AMS?

At AMS Fulfillment we’re having some fun. If you wear green on the 16^th (AMS West) and the 17^th (AMS East) you’ll get a raffle ticket and maybe win a trip to the prize room! In honor of the leprechaun and the pot of gold, there will be a Gold Coin Challenge. Chocolate gold coins will be placed around the facilities and if you find the lucky number on a coin you’ll get a trip to the prize room! A third trip to the prize room can be won by guessing how many marshmallows are in the Lucky Charms Counting Jar. The closest guess gets the trip to the prize room!

There must be some nice stuff in the prize room!

AND, on that day, 16^th or 17^th, there will be an Irish Themed Potluck special treat sponsored by the AMS volunteer committee. All staff are encouraged to bring an Irish themed dish.

What does St. Patrick’s Day commemorate?

We found some very interesting historical information! Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was actually born in Britain. His parents were both Roman citizens and his mother gave birth to him in 385AD.

Slavery was what brought St. Patrick to Ireland. According to this historical account, when he was a teenager St. Patrick was kidnapped by a pirate raiding party and sold into slavery in Ireland. For many years he was enslaved, looking after sheep, until he was able to escape to a monastery in England. While at the monastery he became a Christian and a Bishop. He then returned to Ireland as a missionary. The story tells that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The point being that there are three leaves making up the same whole.

You can enjoy the full story HERE, and we’ll quote one more paragraph: The tradition of drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is said to have started with the saint himself, who announced that everybody should have ‘a drop of the hard stuff’ after an innkeeper was less than forthcoming with a bottle of whiskey. While there was a brief period where drinking on St. Patrick’s Day was banned, the tradition has since returned in full force.

Here are some more enjoyable facts!

* Irish Americans wore green as a reminder that they were nationalists first and foremost.
* The mythical belief that wearing green would make you invisible to leprechauns originated in America.
* People began pinching those who didn’t wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch green-abstainers.
* The Irish eat bacon and cabbage, not corned beef and cabbage.
* St. Patrick probably didn’t drive all the snakes out of Ireland.
* Scientists have said that it’s highly unlikely that there were any snakes to begin with and there are no fossils to disprove the theory.
* St. Patrick’s given name was Maewyn Succat. When he became a priest he adopted the name – Patrick.
* The day a saint passes away is considered a holy day to celebrate their ascension into heaven. St. Patrick passed away on March 17.
* ‘Drowning the shamrock’ (drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day) is said to have started with St. Patrick!
* It is offensive to wear orange on St. Patrick Day. Orange has been identified with unionists or loyalists, people who are loyal to the British crown.
* There is a story that St. Patrick left his ashwood walking stick in the ground while he went off to try and convert the villagers of a small town to Christianity. The effort took so long that the walking stick became an ash tree. 

For how long has this holiday been a holiday?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.

So there we have it! A 1,000 year old celebration! Thumb’s up to the Irish! Let’s enjoy this historical legacy and give some due respect to the wearing of the GREEN!

It’s Pi day today – yes – Pi, not Pie. But if the day inspires you to eat a piece of pie go right ahead!! Pies are circular after all.

We’re not mathematicians! There are some math experts at AMS and we’ll check in with one of them later. But for now, most of us are Pie lovers, not Pi lovers. So what is Pi day, and more importantly… why do we have a Pi day?

Pi is a unit of measurement. Imagine a circle with a line across it. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of that circle to its diameter—a number just a little bit bigger than three. The diameter is twice the radius or double the length from any point on the circle to its center. Got that? The circumference is the distance around a circle.

An irrational transcendental number?

We are told that the symbol π has helped scientists understand the universe. When they defined π it inspired a new notion of the measurement of angles. It was a new unit of measurement. What’s kind of mind blowing about Pi is when you do the math, the resulting number is never ending – it just goes on and on!

Here’s a quote from google: The pi value in fraction is 22/7. It is known that pi is an irrational number which means that the digits after the decimal point are never-ending and being a non-terminating value. Therefore, 22/7 is used for everyday calculations.

Here’s a little more from Google for us: If you want to measure its diameter, you could use a normal tape measure wrapped around the object to measure its circumference – that is the distance around the outside of the object, and then calculate the diameter by dividing the circumference by pi.

So, divide the number by 3.14 or 22/7 as the previous paragraph said. The answer will be an irrational transcendental number? This is too much thinking.

Why it matters enough to have a DAY!

According to History.com they chose March 14 as Pi Day because 3.14 represents the first three digits of pi, and it also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday. Here is the full story.

“March 14 marks Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign pi. Founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw, March 14 was selected because the numerical date (3.14) represents the first three digits of pi, and it also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday.

“The first Pi Day celebration took place at the Exploratorium (Shaw’s place of work), a San Francisco-based interactive science museum, and featured a circular parade and the eating of fruit pies. It wasn’t until 2009, however, that it became an official national holiday when the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation.

“Why all the fuss about pi? The Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes is most commonly credited with being the first to accurately calculate the estimated value of pi. Since it is an irrational, transcendental number, it continues on to infinity—the pi-ssibilities are endless! The seemingly never-ending number needs to be abbreviated for problem solving, and the first three digits (3.14) or the fraction 22/7, are commonly accepted as accurate estimations.

“In mathematics, this infinite number is crucial because of what it represents in relation to a circle—it’s the constant ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is also essential to engineering, making modern construction possible.”

Essential to Engineering! That’s fairly easy to see, that Pi would be essential to modern engineering and construction. This is a very significant day to lots of folks in our world – thank you Creator for π.

What does an AMS ‘math person’ say?

We asked Shannon Crader, our Software Development Manager what Pi day means to her. Shannon said, “Pi day is so much fun. I love the puns and the completely legit reason to eat pie (cherry, of course)! It’s also a way to create some excitement around math which is typically a somewhat dry subject for kids. Since Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, pie and pizza both work to make learning fun on Pi day!

“Did you know that there was a Super Pi day? It was celebrated on March 14, 2015. This was because the date was 3/14/15, adding two more digits of pi. The real excitement came two times later that day when the first 10 digits of Pi were represented by including the time: 3/14/15 9:26:53 (am and pm).”

Shannon concluded, “One more fun thing for you: If you write the first 3 digits of Pi backwards (3.14), it looks like the word PIE.”

If you prefer to appreciate pie, well all is not lost. While searching the net we found a lot of places offering free pie on Pi day. Pillsbury has a special pie recipe, for the Pi Pie! It looks like for pizza makers this Pi day is a big annual celebration day!!

So, have some pie today and enjoy the fact that π exists and that the shape of round goes on and on and on… and on.

One more thing from Shannon: “Here is a nifty College Humor song on you-tube that is fun to listen to and watch on Pi day:” LINK

In the Spring of 2020 the AMS Safety Team took on the greatest challenge to employee safety they had ever been presented with. Employees at the AMS Fulfillment Center were considered essential workers, asked to stay on the job and risk the threat of COVID exposure. The safety team worked triple speed to separate the workstations by six feet and install plexiglass shields. Shields were installed throughout the warehouses, in the lunchroom and classroom – everywhere needed. 

AMS increased the number of bathrooms, hired a team to sanitize all surfaces throughout the day, placed stations where employees could wash and sterilize their hands, installed devices to check all incoming personnel for elevated body temperature, had custom face masks made for all employees and visitors – the safety team did everything they could.

AMS Safety Team was Exceptional!

The team’s efforts were so thorough, and safety was given such high priority that we decided to do a series of safety blogs as a guide to other warehouses. We did a series of 24 blogs, covering the various choices and changes AMS was making. 

Marco Pelaez, VP of Operations, took one more exceptional step and arranged for vaccine clinics to be held on the AMS campus. Over a period of two years Marco held 14 clinics that administered vaccines to people from within AMS and the surrounding community. People received the vaccines at no cost, and they could bring their children, ages 12 and up. AMS employees and the community took strong advantage of these clinics.  

Is the pandemic over? 

Gradually we began to emerge from the pandemic. Over the past few months rules that AMS had in place on mask wearing, sanitizing and temperature taking have eased off in the warehouse. Knowing that 98% of AMS employees are fully vaccinated, Marco and the team followed the CDC guidelines carefully and started easing up the mask-wearing and the safety distancing. They have continued to follow the proper protocols when employees are sick with COVID-19.

Have we reached the end of the pandemic? A headline from Reuters.com states: “US to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11!” The article states that the current administration will end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. This means that COVID tests and vaccines are no longer going to be free of charge.  

The article states, “The government has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines, some tests and certain treatments under the PHE declaration. When it expires, those costs will be transferred to private insurance and government health plans.” It ends with a warning, “COVID-19 cases are declining in the United States, though more than 500 people continue to die each day from the disease, government data showed.” 

Remember to Protect Yourself and Others

This statement agrees with Marco, who offered the following. “Even though the government is lifting all restrictions, please keep in mind that the virus is going to stay around for a long time and, we need to be mindful about experiencing any symptoms of getting sick and act to protect ourselves and others at the workplace. We ask employees to wear a mask if any symptoms are present and feel free to remove the mask when well.

“Just remember to protect yourself first so you can protect others. And most importantly, if you test for COVID-19 and the test is positive, stay home and get well. If the test is negative, depending upon the severity of the symptoms, stay home or wear a mask to avoid getting other people sick.”

Thank You to the Safety Team

We asked Marco what it has been like, to protect essential employees during this very dangerous time. He stated, “Keeping employees safe during this pandemic has been a very stressful experience. We had to learn about this virus, not knowing how it behaves, and at the same time try to keep people feeling safe and secure at the workplace. We also had to learn about the CDC safety protocols and implement them at AMS. They were two long years of stress, tears and satisfaction.

“When we were able to bring the vaccination clinics to our workplace and see the employees’ response as they brought their friends, kids, and family members to our clinics it was a big win for AMS. We knew that we were providing our employees with the best protection against this virus.”

We would like to offer a very sincere THANK YOU to Marco and the entire safety team for being an example for other warehouses and businesses with essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. This is a day when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women, and we also look at areas where women still face discrimination or oppression.

We all know the history and the struggle, and we wonder… what are women facing today? In the business world there has been a lot of progress, and the glass ceiling is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Progress is being made in the STEM arena and we appreciate that. Also we’ve looked at the top position in Fortune 500 companies and there is improvement there too. But, around the world there are still more severe battles to be fought with regard to education and there are areas of the world where oppression is the norm.

The Biggest Challenge

An article in Politico magazine asked a group of women lawmakers and presidential candidates what they see as the biggest challenge facing women in the US, and internationally. We’ll look at two responses.

Answer #1: “One of the struggles that underlies all of our policy battles is the continued lack of women in positions of power. From corporate boardrooms, to the courts and political leadership around the world, the lack of women in senior positions continues to stymie progress on issues from pay to humanitarian aid to discrimination in all its forms. The sooner we understand that the lack of women in leadership roles holds back not only women, but all people, the sooner we will be able to advance society as a whole.”

Answer #2: Women in the world, particularly in developing and middle-income countries, face the far more elemental problem of still being considered property. Saudi Arabia’s system, for one, is open about this relationship, requiring women to get the permission of their male “guardian” to enroll in school, travel or take a job. But in many countries, women are still forced to be legally and socially subservient to men, with no means of gaining financial or social independence, much less equal agency. A global women’s movement must thus focus on creating legal and social conditions in which women and men have equal access to nutrition, health care, education, jobs and the ability to control their bodies and choose a mate. We will be making progress when parents around the world greet the birth of a girl with equal pleasure and expectation as the birth of a boy.”

The world of Business

In the world of business, there is a measure that tells a lot. Here is the headline from a January 2023 issue of Forbes Magazine: Women CEOs run more than 10% of Fortune 500 companies for the first time in history. Women have made great progress in the business world, and there are many companies where women hold CEO, President, CFO and other executive positions, but the Fortune 500 representation lets us know there is significantly more to achieve. Here’s a paragraph from the article:

“It’s fair to ask whether it’s worth celebrating a meager 2% difference, especially when it also makes clear how far we still have to go for equal representation (almost five times where we’re at today). Yet, these victories, however small, do matter. After all, the biggest leaps require innumerable small steps to make them possible. So before rolling up our sleeves and getting back to work, let’s take a moment to recognize how far we’ve come by celebrating some of the history-making women who brought us over the 10% line.” To read the stories click HERE.

How is AMS Doing

One might ask… how is AMS Fulfillment doing with regard to women in top management? We can brag a little about that as we have a very balanced and strong representation. Last July we began a blog series called “Women in Management.” In that blog series we interviewed ten of AMS’ women in management.

Our first interview was with someone the entire company loves and respects, Betty-Lou Wiseman, President of AMS West. You can enjoy that interview HERE. We also did a great interview with AMS CFO Bobbie Booher, click HERE, and another fun interview with Dori Bornstein, Human Resources Manager for AMS East, HERE. All ten of the interviews are available at this LINK. The featured image for this International Women’s Day blog is of the latest woman to join the AMS team, Sarah Smith, VP of Marketing. Enjoy her interview HERE.

The International Picture

What can be done to be of help to women of the world? This question is discussed at the United Nations under the theme of “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

The UN website explains, “This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), ‘Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls’.” We encourage you to visit the website HERE and read about what the UN is doing to support the women of the world.

We close with a salute to all of the women of the world on this International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023. It has been a long journey, and we still have a way to go, but oh the victories!!