Exhibit q






                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Elizabeth L. Belanger, Amy L.
Domini, Adam M. Kanzer, Carole M. Laible, and Steven D. Lydenberg, and each of
them, with full powers of substitution as his true and lawful attorneys and
agents to execute in his name and on his behalf in any and all capacities the
Registration Statements on Form N-1A, and any and all amendments thereto, filed
by Domini Social Investment Trust, Domini Institutional Trust (each, a "Trust"),
and Domini Social Index Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), or the Registration
Statement(s), and any and all amendments thereto, filed by any other investor
(collectively with each Trust, the "Investors") in the Portfolio (insofar as
each of the Investors invests all its assets in the Portfolio), with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and/or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all
instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any of them, deem necessary or
advisable to enable any of the Investors or the Portfolio, as applicable, to
comply with such Acts, the rules, regulations, and requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any
state or other jurisdiction, and the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms as
his own act and deed any and all acts that such attorneys and agents, or any of
them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Any one of such attorneys
and agents has, and may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as of the 3rd
day of September, 2004.



                                                     /s/ John L. Shields
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     John L. Shields