Why Build Conscious Community?

America is divided from within. Political and religious differences have left many to feel that they are in “warring” camps. Lack of civility and disrespect have become the norm and positive spiritual and civic virtues are not at the forefront of our lives. The result is a breakdown of family and community order where the bonds of community that hold us together unravel as materialism and consumerism are valued above the spiritual needs of the individual, family, and community.

Observing the current spiritual and civic state of our country is painful to those of us who care. When we are worried about whether a child will come home alive from school, something is terribly wrong. It's time for personal and community-wide renewal to re-weave the bonds that connect all of us as one extended family.

Merck Family Fund Study: Yearning For Balance
A study by the Merck Family Fund gives support to the premise that society is out of balance. According to the study, the majority of Americans (more than 80 percent) feel our lifestyle is not aligned with our interior values. Materialism, greed and selfishness seem to increasingly dominate American life and crowd out the traditions and values of our society rooted in personal responsibility, family and community. While most of us hope to achieve financial security, according to the study, our deepest aspirations are non-material ones. (more)

It's Time For A Wake-Up Call
Have you noticed that it takes personal tragedy or a natural or man made disaster like Hurricane Katrina or September 11 to wake us up from our preoccupation with the everyday demands of our materialistic society? It is only then that we seem to change our perspective, pull together as a team, and go beyond our man made differences. But why wait for a tragedy? It's time to live this way every day!

Finding The Common Ground
Recognizing common virtues, forging a common vision, and translating them into a community-wide effort are needed if we are to have any hope of moving beyond the polarization and fragmentation prevalent today. It's time to connect the “Good.”

Conscious Community Campaign
The good news is that many people and organizations are already trying to bring balance back into their lives and make a difference in the community. The Conscious Community Campaign is a grass-roots movement to bring together those people and organizations in a consolidated effort to build a more intentional community where spiritual and material needs are in balance, and to engage the whole community to participate. It’s time for citizens to be proactive and not wait for society’s institutions to initiate a solution. It’s time to raise our awareness and take responsibility for our part in creating the culture that we hope for.

The Vision
To build and grow spiritual awareness and engage in social renewal for the betterment of our community and the world.

The Purpose
To serve as a catalyst for action to do “Good” in the community, and to create a purpose-driven community by focusing on the Good we do; the Good we are yet to do; and how we can actualize the Good in our lives and in the community as a whole by Living Our Virtues Everyday.

The Virtues
The following list of virtues were the result of input from the community and from looking at the "core values" of many social institutions including service groups such as Rotary Club; business; the US Military and police departments; non-profit and civic organizations; religious groups; city governments; etc.

It is evident that all sectors of our society share a belief that these virtues are important, but, in reality, they may not be at the forefront of our daily life.

LOVE
Power that connects
***Compassion, Kindness, Generosity, Forgiveness, Humility, Patience, Joy, Appreciation

INTEGRITY
Doing what’s right. Ability to hold together and properly regulate all of the elements of the personality
***Authenticity, Responsibility, Honesty, Trustworthiness, Balance, Self-Reliance, Simplicity, Honor

COURAGE
Strength to do what’s right, overcome fear, adhere to a higher standard no matter what happens.
***Strength, Perseverance, Acceptance, Dedication, Discipline, Restraint, Nobility

SERVICE
An ethic of “Service to Humanity” in daily life.
***Goodwill, Sharing, Caring, Involvement, Community

RESPECT
To demonstrate positive regard for ourselves and others.
***Mindfulness, Fairness, Civility, Cooperation, Dignity

The Plan
We have begun a community-wide campaign during the Summer 2006. This includes a comprehensive public relations effort to promote awareness that leads to action. We are forming ongoing teams of like-minded individuals who want to make a difference (who meet at regular times once a month) to discuss the "good" we are doing already and the "good" we intend to do in our personal lives. Teams have started to do "good works" together by initiating "service projects" throughout the community that started in June 2006. We are also planning a community-wide service project in September prior to a community-wide Celebration at Bartley Ranch on September 30th, 2006 from 1-6 PM.

Connecting the Dots With Teams
Teams are the basic unit of the campaign organization. Teams (up to 12 people) meet once a month and are open to everyone. They are not closed meetings but are offered at different homes and community locations to be convenient to our busy schedules. We encourage the development of leadership within the teams so that those who have the desire can form their own teams, thus expanding the number of people involved. And, we envision teams forming within organizations throughout the community—within workplaces, schools, religious and social groups. We can connect the dots with teams as the vehicle for promoting positive virtues throughout the community and by bringing together diverse organizations for common effort. (more)

We Need Your Participation
This is an open community-building process where your input is not only appreciated but essential. Help us to create a chain reaction of Goodwill---personally, in our families, in our community, and eventually, the world.

• Volunteer to help us spread the word.
• Do A Kind Act! Then, post your Intentional Acts of Kindness on our online forum so others can appreciate your gift.
• Live Our Virtues Everyday! Join a team and do team initiated service projects. Next team meetings are August 8th, 9th, 13th, 16th, and17th. Call Terry Bertschinger at 852-7123.
• Raise Your Awareness! Come to a monthly community meeting. Next meeting is August 28th, 4685 Lakeside Dr., 6:30 PM.
• Connect the Good. Attend the Fall Celebration and bring your friends and family for a day of fun, music, and other activities.
• Have your organizations endorse the Conscious Community Campaign. E-mail rflyer2@yahoo.com.