Seventh Generation is governed by eight elected directors, one female and seven male, including, in 2008, our president and CEO, Jeffrey Hollender. Of the eight directors, five are independent. Our directors bring a broad range of experience in sustainability, finance, investment banking, consumer packaged goods and leadership of innovative growth companies. All our Board members share a strong passion for the health and wellbeing of our planet and the people within it. Board members serve as representatives of our entire shareholder base and are elected annually based on a few core principles:

• deep commitment to the Company’s global imperatives and mission;
• demonstrated commitment to the development of the company and the people within it;
• extensive and complementary experience in varied aspects of consumer package goods, branding, marketing and retails sales; and
• willingness to accept fiduciary, strategic and generative responsibilities.

We fully acknowledge that we have a significant need to nominate more diversity to our board as well as to obtain more industry-specific experience - a major focus for 2009. We also need our Board to engage with our internal community and the unique culture we value so highly. We are beginning this process in 2009 by having our Board participate in our annual company-wide retreat following upon a successful community “get-to-know-you” lunch with three of our Board members in 2008.

Board Responsibilities

Our Board holds three primary responsibilities. First and foremost, through quarterly meetings with the Senior Management team, the Board ensures Seventh Generation is well managed and operates in a manner that not only meets but exceeds the expectations and aspirations of its owners. Second, the Board collaborates with Management in what we call our strategic work. This ongoing part of our quarterly meeting process involves the Board and the Strategic Planning team in an exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing the business. Together we consider topics varying from competition in the market, changes in the world driven by our fragile economy, and ways we can uniquely make a positive difference in the world. Finally, and very important to us all, the Board oversees and exercises control over the company’s assets and ensures the company’s funds are used effectively and in a manner that is consistent with the company’s values.

The following are the current standing committees made up of Directors and Management.

• Executive Committee
• Compensation Committee
• Audit Committee
• Governance & Nominating Committee
• Finance Committee

The Board will evaluate the addition of a sustainability committee in 2009 to provide a vehicle for more direct involvement in this critical aspect of our company’s work.