REV. SCOTT W. ALEXANDER 

Vero Beach, by almost any standard, is a good place to live.  We have a wonderful tropical natural setting full of recreational opportunities, a low population density (which makes the pace of life – not to mention getting around — pleasant), and a high cultural density (which makes life here rich and stimulating).  We are blessed with solid schools, good shopping, wonderful restaurants, and many non-profit and philanthropic organizations which devote themselves to the larger good of society.  When friends from “up North” visit, they often comment on the “Southern Hospitality” they receive here, and I take pride in the fact they that notice the overall high quality of life here on the Treasure Coast.

But recently, a number of unpleasant events here in Vero Beach – where some individuals were treated with less respect, inclusion and compassion than they should have been — have caused a large number of the clergy (representing a wide spectrum of local congregations) to come together to ask if there might not be a way to intentionally make our community a kinder and more compassionate place.   Our attentions soon turned to an international, non-sectarian initiative called the Charter for Compassion — created some 15 years ago by Christian historian and theologian Karen Armstrong — which hopes to activate “The Golden Rule” around the world.  The full text of the Charter for Compassion is available at  www.charterforcompassion.org , but here is its core affirmation:

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect. 

More than 100,000 individuals — and many cities and organizations around the world — have signed on to the Charter and its vision of purposefully making the world (one person and community at a time) a more compassionate place.  A diverse group of clergy here in Vero Beach decided they would initiate a similar project here called Compassion Vero to bring an increasingly humane sensibility to our community.  Here is the outline which will guide this community-wide effort:

COMPASSION VERO -2014

THE VISION

The goal of this local, community-wide initiative – spearheaded by religious, business, governmental, educational, and non-profit leaders of Vero Beach working collaboratively – is to increase compassion, consideration, kindness, acceptance and inclusion in every area and aspect of our shared living here in Vero Beach.

THE MEANS

We will address these problems in our local community by working together to place human compassion, understanding and kindness at the center of our attentions.  Compassion can become the common ground and unifying force that will make our community a place of exceptional decency, justice, equality and respect.

THE NEED

While there is already a great deal of compassion and caring regularly expressed in our Vero Beach community – including much kindness and generosity on the part of many citizens — there are many areas where our beliefs, actions and behavior falls far short of the human ideal.  Therefore, as a community, let us work together to:

• Practice true hospitality in our daily rounds – by exhibiting  respect, patience, kindness, and inclusion for all other human beings, including those workers who serve our needs…
• Practice respectful, considerate and kind communication in the halls of government, in places of business, in our religious congregations and schools, on the airwaves, and in our local print media.
• Eliminate the bullying, harassment and exclusion of those who are vulnerable and minorities in our schools and other settings…
• Refuse and reject intolerance, bigotry, and prejudice directed  toward any persons – based on race, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation or religion.  

THE CITY-WIDE EFFORT

The International Campaign for Compassionate Cities is “a global campaign inspired by the Golden Rule (treat all others as you wish to be treated yourself) to raise awareness of the benefits of compassionate action. Its purpose is to encourage city leadership from around the world to create and bring together efforts towards increasing compassion through local initiatives, policy, and projects.” There is a growing list of American cities who have engaged the campaign, from Anchorage, Alaska to St Augustine, Florida; Danbury, Connecticut to Dallas Texas; and Detroit, Michigan to Louisville, Kentucky.

It is our hope that the leaders of City of Vero Beach – governmental, business, religious, educational, and non-profit – will work together on this community-wide initiative for greater compassion, kindness, respect, civility, and inclusion.

As Compassion Vero gets underway, there will be many opportunities for local citizens to get involved, and express their commitment to the goals of this initiative of the heart.  We hope you will be inspired to join with us in making Vero Beach a kinder and more compassionate place.