Just Imagine

Dear Friends,

As is the case with putting together each Charter for Compassion newsletter—there is so much news to report--and what to say. With having close to 350 city initiatives in 45 countries, 75 cities who have affirmed the Charter with their local governments and close to 1500 partners supporting the work of the Charter there are many reasons that we have much to say. In today’s newsletter, we’ll hit some highlights for your consideration and hope you click on the links that will give you more information.

The Charter Tool Box

We’ve added two new sections, the first are the beginning articles to a joint project between the University of Kansas Community Tool Box and the Charter. We are taking the lead in facilitating a new Chapter, Spirituality and Community Building. The "Overview," written by Bill Berkowitz provides a synopsis of the posted articles, and a preview of those that will follow in the next months. Barbara Kerr’s article, “Being Compassionate” helps define the action required in developing compassionate community building and Olivia McIvor, author of Turning Compassion into Action, writes of “Being Charitable Towards Others,” offering many concrete suggestions to making kindness an integral component to compassion. The article “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” is written by Charter partner and founder of the Forgiveness Project, Marina Cantacuzino. Marina writes of the importance of studying forgiveness and reconciliation in community settings, and learning how to apply these concepts to improve individual and community outcomes. The last article in this installment is “Promoting Peace,” written by Terry Greene, member of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows whose brother, Donald F. Greene, died aboard United Flight 93. Moving from her personal story to urging each of us to listen to voices of peace and to recognize that working towards peace is not a singular effort, but a movement.

Our second entry to the Tool Box are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals issued by the United Nations. The Charter site links to a list of actions that each of us can take to be part of the solution for making the world a better place. As stated in the introduction to the goals there are action ideas that we can do from our couch, issues that can be addressed at home, and beyond our own neighborhoods. It is all about compassionate action.

Invitation to Upcoming Charter Conference Calls

May 10, 6:30 am PDT: Is Compassion In Danger By the Race for President? Speaker: Nicholas Carlisle, founder of No Bully

June 8, 9 am PDT: Charter for Compassionate Cities Meeting. See the report from the May 3rd meeting.

June 18, 9 am PDT: Charter Global Read Book Club: The Compassionate Life: Walking the Path of Kindness. Author: Marc Barasch

July 27, 7 am PDT: Charter for Compassionate Cities Meeting.

Charter Education Institute

Registration is open throughout May for all five spring courses. See descriptions for our courses and bios of facilitators and registration links. Scholarships are available.

Just Imagine

We find ourselves thinking about that phrase often. Just imagine if we could respond to every inquiry, reach out to every lead we get, and expand our outreach to hundreds of more cities. We can't do this without you. We worked with our volunteers to find ways that each of us can empower compassion. We need everyone’s involvement to make this a compassion world. Just as Terry Greene tells us in her article. Last month our members gave us close to $2000. We appreciate every dollar. We need your help. Please donate.