In 2001, a small
group of people started a loose organization they decided to
call the Oregon Network for Compassionate Communication
(ORNCC). They were inspired by the process of Nonviolent
Communication, and, largely, as a result of seeing Marshall
Rosenberg in Ashland and/or Eugene. The ORNCC was named in
part from the then existing sister organization, Puget Sound
Network for Compassionate Communication (now called Northwest
Compassionate Communication). The original founders of the
ORNCC shared the dream of "spreading NVC" throughout Oregon
and southwestern Washington.
We began to gather volunteers in Bend, Eugene, Portland, Salem, and Vancouver to form what we called "regional core teams" to provide networking and project-generating centers within each of these communities. Some of what we accomplished was bringing Marshall Rosenberg and other trainers to the various areas, as well as coordinating some local NVC activities such as classes, practice groups, and community get-to-know-you gatherings of different sorts.
Key Accomplishments
In 2002, the ORNCC incorporated as an Oregon nonprofit corporation, and began the process of applying for the much sought after status of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Between 2002 and 2004, we hosted Marshall Rosenberg in trainings in Eugene and Portland.
In 2004, after significant effort on the part of several existing founding members, the ORNCC was awarded 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and was able to receive tax-deductible donations to support the work of the organization. We hosted Marshall Rosenberg in a new format, creating a tour through several cities including Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Bend.
In 2005, the ORNCC hosted Marshall Rosenberg in Portland for a series of workshops including several on the topics of business and spirituality.
In January 2006, we conceived of and began the nearly two-year process of designing and producing a regional conference at the University of Oregon, which was called "Nonviolence as a Way of Life."
In 2007, we received the IRS "final ruling" of tax exempt status and continued planning the conference project. We filed a DBA with the state of Oregon to form the Coalition for Nonviolent Living as a project of the ORNCC that would include other organizations in supporting and producing the conference. The conference steering committee of eight individuals was comprised of several ORNCC board members, as well as a few people from the Eugene Interfaith Community.
In September of 2008 we put on the three-day Nonviolence as a Way of Life Conference, which included several nationally known speakers including Marshall Rosenberg, Julia Butterfly Hill, and the Reverend C. T. Vivian, as well as 120 workshops provided by community members across 14 thematic areas including education, sustainability, spirituality, restorative justice and conflict resolution.
2009 proved to be a year of consolidation and organizational
house keeping, in the wake of planning and hosting the
Nonviolence as a Way of Life Conference. Key accomplishments
this year included a revamping of the ORNCC website, and
sponsoring the Oregon Prison Project, which was coordinated by
Fred Sly and Steve Blechman.
2010
In 2010 ORNCC continued its institutional revamping, approving
and ratifying updated bylaws and examining the relationship
between the board and the governing council of the
organization. The new bylaws added social change as a major
goal of ORNCC. This was also the year when ORNCC began a
reflection on its mission after Marshall Rosenberg, creator of
NVC, is no longer doing training.
2011
ORNCC welcomed new members to the board and had a review of
the history of the organization by one of its founders. 2011
was a year of clarifying ORNCC’s relation with different
projects. ORNCC and the Oregon Prison Project (OPP) ended
their contractual relationship, although ORNCC continued
supporting OPP through the donation of NVC educational
materials. ORNCC sponsored
Teach4Life, a one week training for teachers facilitated
by CNVC Certified trainers, Sura Hart and Jean
Morrison in Portland.
2012
The board adopted a policy regarding requests from other
organizations for support from ORNCC and decided that ORNCC
will phase out selling NVC educational materials. Most of
the board’s energy was focused on organizing a major event:
the first annual NVC Community Gathering, scheduled for
January 19, 2013 in Salem. ORNCC also hired a webmaster,
Craig Hennecke.
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