About the Compassionate Action Network

In 2008, the City of Seattle welcomed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and other luminaries to an event called Seeds of Compassion. The purpose of the five-day gathering was to nurture kindness and compassion in children and all those who touch their lives. One outcome of the event is the Compassionate Action Network (CAN) that makes it easier for you to make a difference!

What is the Compassionate Action Network?
CAN is a network of self-organizing groups who share a common vision for a compassionate world.

If you're new, please see Get Started! for ideas to participate in this growing global community.

Vision
To awaken compassion in our children, ourselves, and our world.

Mission
To build a global network for self-organizing groups to connect, collaborate, and take action to awaken compassion in our children, ourselves, and our world.

How Does CAN Accomplish its Mission?
In 2010, CAN launched the Campaign for Compassionate Cities. To find out how one city is implementing the campaign, visit the Compassionate Seattle group. In general, CAN focuses on three areas:

1. Groups:
People with shared interests create groups and self-organize around different expressions of compassionate action on the free CAN platform. Each CAN group develops its own events and activities.

2. Events:
(a) The organization hosts gatherings each year in April and October.
(b) The individual groups co-sponsor events and activities throughout the year
(c) Partners and supporters announce events on the website throughout the year

3. Social Network (http://compassionateactionnetwork.com):
Using the Ning platform, CAN offers the following features to support self-organizing groups around the world:
(a) Group Workspaces
(b) News Headlines
(c) Events Calendar
(d) Member Profiles
(e) Online Discussions
(f) Peer to Peer Communications (email and chat)
(g) Videos, Photos, and Music
(h) Coming in 2010: Member Directory and Resources

Do you need help? CAN offers "basic training" sessions online to show new members how to maximize their website experience. If you would like a lesson, please contact Jon Ramer at j.ramer@comcast.net .

Guiding Principles
To support all of the above work, CAN aligns with Native American and First Nations principles that state "Starting From Within, Working in a Circle, in a Sacred Manner, We Heal and Develop Ourselves, Our Relationships, and the World." For more information, please read "The Fourth Way: Guiding Principles for Building a Sustainable and Harmonious World" by Phil Lane Jr.

Leadership Team
Anil Singh-Molares, Board President
John Hale, Board Treasurer
Skye Burn, Board Member
Yaffa Maritz, Board Member
Mario Kuperwajs Tuval, Board Member
Mark R. Jones, Board Member

Maya Nader, Board Member

Wendie Bramel, Board Member

Kirk Anderson, Board Member

Pamela Kilborn-Miller, Adviser
Ari Cowan, Chief Strategy Officer
Jon Ramer, Community Engagement Coordinator
Anne Morgan Stadler, Adviser

Contact Us
1. If you're currently a CAN member, please send email to a Leadership Team member by clicking on a name in the above list and then choose "Send a Message" in the upper left column on their personal profile.
2. Members may also post questions and comments in the CAN groups.
3. If you're not a CAN member, please send email to Jon Ramer at j.ramer@comcast.net.