Our Social Enterprise Ethos
Compassion 'n Action is proud to be one of Scotland's social enterprises. Social enterprises have social objectives, reinvesting profits for the benefit of the community and local people, rather than maximising profits for shareholders. It is estimated there are over 1,100 social enterprises in Scotland, in a wide range of fields. We're thrilled to be one of them!
Compassion 'n Action serves local communities as well as the community of people interested in mindfulness and Compassionate Communication / NVC. We support a variety of good causes, offer charity rates and do some pro bono work. We aim to never turn away anyone from a training for lack of funds. And because we understand that we all rise or fall together, we follow the example of the original Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream company and commit to paying a fair salary to all employees, with no employee ever making more than 5 times the salary of the lowest-paid individual.
About...
...our aims
Compassion 'n Action aims to use innovative, creative and effective ways to support individuals, groups and communities in living more mindfully and with more compassion. We concentrate on sharing Compassionate Communication as well as mindfulness / MBSR / MBCT.
...the company...
We're a company limited by guarantee in Scotland, SC359426 and a full member of the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition. We are also a not-profit-distributing company. That means that any profits are reinvested in the community, company employees, or the company. We're not a charity but have a very similar ethos of benefitting the community.
We chose a legal structure that ensures -- by law -- that profits can never be distributed, and we cannot have shareholders. We're part of The Great Turning, with an emphasis on life-sustaining systems, not monetary profit.
...the people...
Our Executive Director is Claralynn Nunamaker, with a rich background in business administration, communication, natural resource management and the arts. With a double masters in Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, she has moved from a successful career in forestry to helping people through sharing Compassionate Communication skills she has personally found invaluable.
Claralynn has trained with NVC founder Marshall Rosenberg, as well as well-respected trainers including Dominic Barter (Brazil) and BayNVC's Miki Kashtan.
A practising Buddhist for over 10 years, she serves as a Buddhist representative with various Inter-Faith organisations.
Julie Bell is our administrative assistant, covering general administration and website work.
Who do we work with?
Some of our current and past clients include:
| Institutions & Organisations | Community Groups | Faith Groups | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundee University | Bodhi Eco-Project Glasgow |
FWBO Fife retreat |
Bio-Energy Workshop Dundee |
| Sakyadhita Buddhist Women's Group |
Secret Garden Nursery Letham |
Buddhist Group Edinburgh |
Co-counseling group Carlisle |
| Synergy Yoga Centre Glenrothes |
Penicuik Arts Centre Penicuik |
Quaker meeting Dumfries |
The Big Tent Festival Falkland |
What projects do we support?
We value highly our friends and partners, near and far:
- the Bodhi Eco-Project -- creators of central Scotland's first eco-village;
- Scottish Inter-Faith Council -- national inter-faith body in Scotland;
- Sangha Without Boundaries -- group linking Edinburgh-area Buddhists of many traditions;
- Heartwood Music -- socially aware musician and songwriter.
