Another useful electronic medium is the telephone, it being the
tool of choice in the officeplace (outside of the computer). While
most SRI organizations welcome callers - members, clients, or
otherwise - they have not made extensive use of this technology
for automatic distribution of information. In this regard, they
are no different from most other businesses.
There do exist, though, some examples of efforts to provide information
via the telephone, and also, in some cases, to establish a revenue
stream from it. The SIO has a 1-900 information line, with a per-minute
charge, Franklin Insight has a hotline, and the SIF has a faxback
service.
"Established November 1996, the social investment information
line is an interactive phone and fax program that will allow callers
to access all the necessary information required to make informed
social investment decisions.
An interactive menu of information, the 1-900 information line
provides information on the SIO, socially responsible mutual and
labour sponsored funds, financial advisors, SRI and CSR special
events and other social investment opportunities."
[page no longer available]
Franklin Insight Inc.'s 'Professional Service' includes, among
other things, "a telephone hotline providing weekly
recorded updates on the financial markets and recommended companies."
[page no longer available]
The Social Investment Forum has a fax-back service for obtaining
a SRI Mutual Fund Performance Chart.
