April 11-15, 2008 - Seeds of Compassion gathering in Seattle, USA
Seeds of Compassion was an unprecedented gathering to engage the hearts and minds of our community by highlighting the vision, science, and programs of early social, emotional, and cognitive learning. Anchored by the deep wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this community–focused event celebrated and explored the relationships, programs and tools that nurture and empower children, families and communities to be compassionate members of society. Each of the five days provided parents, educators, business and community leaders with an opportunity to better understand the real benefits of compassion, and concrete steps on how to bring compassion into their lives.
May 4th, 2009 - Compassionate Action Network founded
Compassionate Action Network (CAN) was inspired by the Seeds of Compassion and then launched in Seattle to be a "network of networks." The organization proclaimed its desire to unite "people across our community—parents, children, youth, teachers, clergy, activists, politicians, philanthropists and leaders at all levels and in every sphere—to create a more compassionate world."
CAN's intention, expressed in its founding document, was to create "an association of like-minded programs, projects and organizations that collectively represent the power of thousands of relationships."
April 24, 2010 - Cities Campaign initiated by Compassionate Action Network
The City of Seattle became the first city to formally sign the Charter for Compassion, thus launching an international campaign for communities around the world to endorse the Charter. Cities joining the movement pledged to work consciously to bring the principles and practice of compassion to life in cities everywhere. CAN's Jon Ramer was initiator of the campaign as well as founder of Compassionate Seattle.
March, 2012 – Compassionate Seattle Founded
Compassionate Seattle was organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), including but not limited to the following:
- To work with and support individuals, groups, organizations, and networks in creating a culture of compassion in the Seattle region.
- To steward the 10 Year Campaign for Compassionate Seattle consistent with the Charter for Compassion adopted by the City of Seattle in April of 2008 and oversee networking support, inspiration, coaching, facilitation, technology and communications support, data collection and reporting, and administrative services as necessary for its success.
- To support and incubate new initiatives and to seek out, identify, engage and serve existing community-based compassion-related initiatives.
- To inspire a broad-based community endorsement of compassionate action to promote the well-being of all.
- To realize our vision that by 2020, our region will include compassion as a high priority value when establishing social, economic, environmental and political policies and that our citizens will embody compassion in all aspects of their interactions with others.
- To serve as a Compassionate City or Chapter of the Charter for Compassion International and to provide and receive support in projects and networking.
