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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>First Step was awarded the 2008 Torch Award from
the inland northwest Better Business Bureau. The award is given to
businesses with exemplary marketplace ethics.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you want to read more about this, look below for
a copy of the article from Sunday's (that is March 2, 2008) Spokesman
Review.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From my own experience, I think First Step fully
deserves this honor. For example, First Step hosts our community
discussion on Vision 2020 at no charge. The company techno-wizards have
given V2020 many hours of free trouble-shooting and countless technical
upgrades. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Congratulations to First Step.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>BL</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>--------------------------------------------------------
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<H2>The Spokesman-Review</H2>
<H2>Better Business Bureau--</H2>
<H2>Best practices deserve a place of honor </H2>
<P class=byline><SPAN class=name><A
href="http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news/bylines.asp?bylinename=Jan Quintrall">Jan
Quintrall </A></SPAN><BR>March 2, 2008</P><!---------Code for Big Ads-------------------><!---------End Code for Big Ads------------------->
<P>Frankly, for the most part ethics is a dirty job. We hold the marketplace
accountable on both sides of the transactional coin, and that is not always a
happy experience for the individual and business involved. </P>
<P>On Feb. 28, we celebrated regional ethics in the marketplace. But more
importantly we celebrated the collaboration of students and business people to
reward the best ethical practices in our region. </P>
<P>In fall 2007, the BBB made a call for nominations in all three states it
serves, then passed them on to teams of Gonzaga University business students
and, for the first time, Washington State University business students.</P>
<P>
<TABLE align=left>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The students worked with the nominated companies
to help complete award applications. Judges selected one winner in each size
category.</P>
<P>We contacted winners and scheduled interviews with the principals that were
filmed and edited by a group of Gonzaga broadcast journalism students.</P>
<P>While the BBB values recognition of best business practices, this process is
really about students experiencing ethics in everyday life. One student team,
for example, helped a company work through its application package, only to
conclude the company had mostly nice, shiny policies with little meat on the
delivery of those values. All of these are lessons they will not soon
forget.</P>
<P>The 2008 Torch Award winners for marketplace ethics are:</P>
<P>• Under 12 employees: Jerry's Auto Repair of Pullman.</P>
<P>• 13-99 employees: First Step Internet of Moscow</P>
<P>• 100-999 employees: The Davenport Hotel and Tower of Spokane</P>
<P>• More than 1,000 employees: REI</P>
<P>• Franchise or part of larger corporation: Clinkerdagger of Spokane</P>
<P>Honorable mentions this year went to Garco Construction, Fidelity Associates
and Itron.</P>
<P>Both BBB accredited and non-accredited businesses are eligible for the
awards. A satisfactory BBB record and a willingness to submit is all that's
required to enter.</P>
<P>What made these companies stand out from 60 other applicants? A couple of
things rang true throughout judges' comments:</P>
<P>•All of the winners have clear values, ethics statements and policies, but
before any of that works, they are sure their employees know how much they are
valued as individuals and team members. The chef at Clinkerdagger told me a
story about how the company insisted on sending him home in the middle of his
first month of training so he could be with his family over the holidays. They
even paid for it. He will never forget that message of, "we value you as a whole
person."</P>
<P>•Community citizenship is more than a promise; it is a value shared with
everyone, even vendors. First Step Internet serves all of Whitman County's
libraries and did the hardware work that the big guys saw as unprofitable. They
serve some very remote outlying areas and took it upon themselves to apply for
the grants to get service into these areas. </P>
<P>•When people really love their jobs, passion radiates and the level of
dedication and service is high. The Davenport Hotel and Tower is not just
another hotel, and the people who work there breathe that difference. The video
interview team was impressed with this company's glowing message, which is
unusual in this day of sparse loyalty and historical insight. As for REI, its
staffers are not only a wealth of information, but they also are excited about
the outdoor lifestyle and the environment. It is contagious.</P>
<P>•The bottom line is not the driver behind all decisions. Jerry's Auto Repair
donates money made by recycling waste oil to help less fortunate individuals pay
off medical bills. To those who complain about not seeing enough good news,
please savor this column and know we are surrounded by some amazing stories of
businesses doing the right thing.</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>