Social Responsibility Statement
The purpose of Alma Matters, Inc. is simple; to capture and honor the unique purpose of organizations and those affiliated with them. We do so by creating distinctive patterns using our patented algorithm that combines unique characteristics of the organization including the time/place it was founded with primary colors that distinctly represent the organization. Each pattern is further enhanced with secondary colors meant to reflect the organization’s collective heart, mind, and spirit. The result is a subtle, sophisticated fashion brand called Timeless Tartans.
Our corporate name - Alma Matters - is derived from the Latin word “alma” which means nourishing care. In this sense, we are concerned with “matters” that help sustain deep affiliations that people have with organizations that matter most to them. Organizations, like individuals, are created at a unique time and place in history by a group of people who share a common purpose. At Alma Matters, we believe that one’s purpose can be found by evaluating the intersection of the: Heart (i.e. the things we are passionate about), Mind (i.e. the things we know) and Spirit (i.e. the values that motivate us to act).
We believe that Alma Matters’ purpose will thrive in the marketplace of both products and ideas by building responsible relationships with our:
- Customers, whose passion we hope to earn,
- Suppliers and Employees, whose knowledge we value and depend upon, and
- Products, which embody our values and the organizations they represent.
Alma Matters’ purpose may be timeless, but the relationships required to sustain our purpose are dynamic. For this reason, these relationships must be actively monitored and managed to ensure that they continue to support our purpose as Timeless Tartans grows into a nationally recognized brand.
Alma Matters takes its responsibility seriously as our continued survival is dependent on maintaining licenses with some of the most trusted organizations/institutions in the United States. As a small business, Alma Matters relies upon every Employee and Supplier to be aware of, and committed to, our responsibilities to our Customers and the Products we produce for them. With limited resources, we depend upon objective criteria to select Employees who understand and are committed to adhering to the values we use to design and produce our products. This Employee/Supplier framework relies less on formal audit structures and more on the personal commitments of every Employee and small group of like-minded Suppliers, most of which are also small businesses.
Developing a socially responsible Employee/Supplier network begins with complying with our Code of Conduct and legal requirements in every country(ies) in which we employ people; we require the same of our Suppliers in their respective country(ies). We are bound to this legal compliance through the License Agreements that we sign with our Licensors; we require the same compliance of our Suppliers who are required to sign Authorized Manufacturing Agreements (AMA) before we engage them to produce products for us.