1. ATLANTA RETAILERS FOUNDATION
A Path Less Traveled
There are many paths that a well established organization such as the ARA can take.
There is the well worn path of accumulating wealth for personal gain
And there is a path less travelled, one that involves sharing your gains with the community in which you live and work.
The ARA Board has chosen to follow the Path Less Travelled.
Tonight I wanted to give the membership a glimpse of that path.

2. OUR Goal: to create a non-profit foundation that aims to make a positive contribution to the communities we live and work in.
The path less travelled involves a long standing goal of the ARA to create a non-profit foundation that aims to make a positive contribution to the communities we live and work in.

3. OUR INSPIRATION: Service
“The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity, on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good”.
- President BARACK OBAMA
Inaugural Address, Jan
The motive and inspiration for this goal is very AMERICAN.
It is a call to Service.
And I quote President Barack Obama at his inaugural address just over 3 years ago when he said “ ……………..

4. OUR INSPIRATION: Service
“In today’s community of nations, a country’s standing is no longer recognized simply by what it can achieve for itself, but just as much by what it can do for others”.
- His Highness the Aga Khan Graduation Ceremony of the University of Alberta  June 2009
We Ismailis know that CALL TO SERVICE very well.
It forms the foundation of our ethos and a central premise of our existence.
And here I quote MHI at the graduation ceremony of the University of Alberta.
He was talking in Canada, but could well be talking about America and may well have been talking to us
It is self evident that the call to service is not just the American way is also the Ismaili way and thus the it is also the ARA way.

5. OUR INSPIRATION: Bridges That Unite
“The Ismailis are, thus, a transnational community who are, first and foremost, active and loyal citizens of the countries where they live ..
.. to replace walls which divide with bridges that unite.”
-His Highness The Aga Khan
The Foundation Ceremony of
The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
Ottawa, Canada June 2005
And to emphasize the Ismaili way and the ARA way, I quote MHI at the foundation ceremony of the delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.
He said “ ………. “ and then he went on to talk about the need …………………

6. OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To establish the Atlanta Retailers Association as a valued constituent of civil society, with the aim of building bridges and partnering with communities and community service organizations for the benefit of all Georgians.
Therein begins the story of a path less travelled.
The ARA has established a mission statement for it non-profit Foundation, which reads …………………………

7. OUR VISION STATEMENT
Our vision for the Atlanta Retailers Foundation is to establish the ARA as a valued civic organization within Georgia. To realize this vision, the ARA through its Foundation will seek opportunities to contribute positively to the quality of life of all Georgians through philanthropic contributions and community service projects.
The long term vision of this foundation is articulated in this statement “ …………

8. OUR VALUES
Partnership - We collaborate and build strong relationships based on honesty, candor, trust, and respect. We value teamwork and know that by working together, we will achieve far more than we can on our own.
Integrity- We are committed to upholding the highest standards of moral, ethical, and professional conduct.
Citizenship - We strive to be good neighbors and uphold our civic responsibilities by giving back to the communities in which we live and work.
Generosity - Guided by the ethical framework of our faith, we believe in forms of generosity that enable individuals to make the best possible use of their own personal gifts.
And these are the 4 core values that will guide this Foundation

9. THE ARF LOGO
Represents a sustainable partnership – a continuum reflected in a design which has no beginning and no end.
The open design communicates a willingness to engage - without walls or barriers.
Expresses the aspiration to contribute positively to the quality of life of its beneficiaries
Four arms reach out and are also interwoven to reflect unity of purpose – open to the outside and transparent from within.
Like every foundation we have a logo.
One that was designed to be simple yet meaningful, geometry in design and profound in its representation.

10. THE ARF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees are tasked with upholding and implementing the mission, vision and values of the Atlanta Retailers Foundation
Every foundation has its board of trustees who are entrusted to uphold and implement it mission, vision and values