Floating this here: Chamber of Commons

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Tue Sep 15, 2015, 11:20 AM - Edit history (1)

EDIT TO ADD: Rather than update this post, I'm updating the text as I tweak things this morning HERE: http://ourgood.org/chamber-of-commons/

The site is near completion. Thought I'd share here to see how DUers respond to this:




WHO ARE WE?

We are an alliance of community-supportive, commons-oriented, caring, ethical individuals (activists, entrepreneurs, community members, organizers and leaders), enterprises and organizations committed to our Common Good, guided and inspired by the following values:

Compassion
Courage
Inclusivity
Collaboration
Integrity
Optimism
Transparency
Wisdom


WHY WAS THE CHAMBER CREATED?

To provide a truly collaborative, international membership organization built on solidarity, with the goal of catalyzing systemic transformation toward a caring, compassionate, just, sustainable world. The Chamber is envisioned as the conscience or touchstone of these values.

HOW DO WE PROPOSE TO INITIATE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE?

By working together to raise awareness of The Commons, and to cultivate and support:

– Caring Commerce
– Caring Culture
– Caring Democracy
– Caring Economy
– Caring Ecosystems
– Caring Education


The Chamber of Commons acts as a clearinghouse for aligned individuals, enterprises and organizations which have specific areas of focus compatible with Caring Values and the above Caring Systems.


WHAT IS THE CHAMBER’S VISION?


Members of The Chamber of Commons pledge to:

• CARE…care about, care for and care with others toward the goal of supporting Our Common Good. (Caregiverism)

• Recognize and support non-violent measures aimed at economic, racial and social justice and equality.

• Remember that money is a tool, not a value and not the ultimate end goal of any endeavor.

• Align with the following caring values and incorporate them into your decision-making process:

• Compassion: Decisions are made with compassion and empathy; not only for yourself, your family and your organization, or your local community but for the Common Good, which includes all life on this planet we all call home.

• Courage: Decisions are made with courage to choose more nurturing, less exploitative and destructive actions; the courage to allow for “enoughness” rather than the constant market-driven quest for growth; and the courage to defend and support economic, racial and social justice. We acknowledge that we have the power to change the trajectory we’re on as a species, and how we’re impacting other humans, other species and the planet.

• Inclusivity: Decisions are made with all levels of community in mind: Individuals, families, neighborhoods, local community, national community, global community. We appreciate how important diversity is in sustaining healthy ecosystem-aware organizations. The desire for solidarity and harmony drives our inclusive decisions.

• Collaboration: Decisions are made with the knowledge that robust diversity and genuine cooperation, rather than detrimental competition and fragmentation, are necessary for lasting success which benefits The Common Good.

• Integrity: Decisions are made by individuals and the organization as a whole with sincere respect for The Common Good as the guiding force. We pledge to stand up and speak out against oppression and exploitation in all forms and to not be willing participants in the same. Honesty and Respect = Integrity.

• Optimism: We believe that the way things are is not how they must remain. Visionary, hopeful, community care-based thinking is supported and encouraged. We are committed to putting our optimism and awareness of The Common Good into action via practical ways each day.

• Transparency: We pledge to be mindful of transparency and to remain open to meaningful, respectful discussion (for organizations, both internally and externally) as we strive to maintain the values of the Chamber of Commons.

• Wisdom: We pledge to do our best to make wise decisions. Wise decisions are balanced, thoughtful, mindful and sustainable, informed via critical thinking, individual intuitive wisdom and collective wisdom. Wise decisions consider the impact of our actions on different sectors of The Common Good: civic, economic, cultural, and environmental.


To work for the Common Good requires an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things. True progress is achieved when members of a community, convinced of this interconnectedness, engage in actions that transcend individual interest and benefit the whole…the whole of Humanity and the whole of this planet we all call home.

What would our communities look like if Caring Values were embraced and acted upon by more individuals, enterprises, organizations and institutions, with a dedication to The Common Good? Imagine the potential transformation toward justice, equality and harmony in our culture, civic life, economic activities, and the environment.

Joining The Chamber of Commons is a path of solidarity, a new way of doing and being, a path which runs parallel and collaborates with many other efforts which are aligned with and supportive of Our Common Good.


WHO CARES? WE DO!


The Chamber of Commons is a project of Our Good.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. PM kick n/t

[MindfulOne]

4. I just saw this, amazing idea.

Thank you for such a great idea, I hope I can be involved in some way online, I don't have anything to give but time right now.

[cheapdate]

2. What a great idea! I LOVE IT!

The business chamber dominates our local government and decision making. It drives me crazy. I'm in a local activist group that opposes them when we can, but it's not easy -- they (the chamber) have built-in access and influence, full-time staff, and lots of money.

We're trying to influence the direction of a growth planning initiative, but our influence is very modest so far. We're not on the steering committee and it's hard to find leverage.

But I love, love, love this idea!

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Yay!!!

So glad you see a need for the concept and like the idea. If it's okay, I may PM you soon, when it's a bit further along.

[cheapdate]

5. That would be great.

PM me anytime. Keep up the good work!