Introduction

The United Religions Initiative is a growing global interfaith community. It is being created by people on five continents who share a common vision: that our religious and spiritual lives - rather than dividing us - can guide us to build community and respect for one another.

The URI is composed of self-motivated and self-organizing groups called Cooperation Circles (CCs). Currently there are over 360 Cooperation Circles in 65 countries. CCs pursue their own purpose and are globally connected through the URI network. Through this network, CCs exchange experience, knowledge, inspiration and encouragement.

When you and your group create a Cooperation Circle you become part of an extraordinary force for good in the world.

Creating Cooperation Circles

A Cooperation Circle is formed by people who come together to initiate acts of interfaith cooperation and peacebuilding. Cooperation Circles share perspectives from different traditions; offer humanitarian relief; organize music festivals; clean rivers, offer hospice counseling; develop educational programs; create opportunities for intercultural encounter and interfaith reflection, and a host of other activities.

• Imagine a growing global community of Cooperation Circles. Imagine yourself as a part of that community.
  
  
• Imagine how a URI Cooperation Circle could take root where you live to address a particular community need or interest.
  
  
• Discuss how such a group could develop from the passion, determination, creativity and resourcefulness of people from diverse backgrounds who gather together.
  
• Explore why an existing group to which you already belong might desire to engage as a URI Cooperation Circle as part of its work .
  
  
• Discuss benefits of connecting with other CCs around the world .
  
  
• Imagine what your CC could do to serve the worldwide community.

Existing Groups and Organizations

An existing group may choose to become a CC. For example an existing interfaith organizations might join the URI as Cooperation Circles because they desire to be part of a global interfaith network for collective action.

Or, faith communities or spiritual groups dedicated to one tradition may create a CC by inviting in others from different traditions and forming an interfaith group to pursue a particular purpose .

Suggested Steps to Get Started

1. Gather People Together

Who would you invite? Begin with people you already know. Then extend your invitation to include people from different religions, spiritual expressions or indigenous traditions.

If you think a group to which you belong might benefit from becoming a CC, plan a time to introduce them to URI. Ask them to consider how they might benefit from URI and how they might contribute to URI.

2. Appreciate One Another’s Abilities and Values

Begin by getting to know one another. An appreciative interview is one way for people to bring their hopes, values, experiences and talents to the circle.

You might begin with meditation or prayer and then invite people to participate in an effective process called appreciative interviews.

3. Re?ect on the Preamble, Purpose and Principles

As a group, read the Preamble, Purpose and Principles aloud. You might read the Preamble and Purpose in unison; then go around the room with a different person reading each Principle.

Reflect upon what is inspiring, significant, challenging in these words. When in your life have you been part of something that reflected the values expressed in these words? How might your group embody these principles?

Guidelines for Creating CCs

• Cooperation Circles have a minimum of 7 members.

• Cooperation Circles welcome and honor diversity. CCs include people from at least 3 different religions, spiritual expressions, or indigenous traditions.

• Individuals, associations and organizations can join a Cooperation Circle.

2. Decide the name and purpose of your Cooperation Circle. CCs are encouraged to create a more focused statement that reflects their unique sense of Purpose that is in accord with the overall URI Purpose. What purpose expresses the primary reason for your group to gather?

3. Decide who will participate in the CC. The URI welcomes diversity and includes voices that are not often heard. What diversity will your CC reflect? How many people will participate? Will you invite organizations to participate as well as individuals?

4. Choose the decision-making processes. Cooperation Circles have a right to self-organize. Their deliberations and decisions must be made by methods that fairly represent the diversity of affected interests and are not dominated by any.

• Discuss the ways your group would like decisions to be made. What processes will your CC use to make decisions?

5. Discuss rights and responsibilities of members listed in the Charter.

• Share any questions or needs for clarification your group has about rights and responsibilities.

6. Give a gift to the URI. CCs have the responsibility to develop financial and other resources to help meet their needs and help meet the needs of other parts of the URI. In order to help support the worldwide URI community, CCs are asked to make a financial gift or contribution of service.

• Discuss what kind of financial gift or contribution of service your CC would like to offer

7. Groups interested in forming a CC apply to the URI Global Council for membership. Application forms to become a Cooperation Circle member are available from URI website or from regional and global offices. View Applications

URI Worldwide Community

The URI worldwide community includes CC members, Affiliates, Supporting Members, Global Council trustees and global staff.

Affiliates and Supporting Members are individuals, groups or organizations who support the values expressed in the URI’s Preamble, Purpose and Principles and desire to be included in URI communication and activities but do not desire the rights and responsibilities of belonging to a Cooperation Circle.

These members receive the URI newsletter, e-update and invitations to URI local, regional, and global gatherings, and may participate in an online community to share ideas and possible collective actions.

Global Council

The Global Council serves as the Board of Directors for the URI. The Global Council’s central spirit is not one of control, but rather one of service. The GC inspires and supports the URI worldwide community in cooperative global action. Their actions reflect a yearning to help people of the URI fulfill their aspirations to be a positive force for peace, justice, and healing in the world.

The GC is responsible for developing financial and other resources to meet the needs of the URI. The GC approves eligible applicants for membership to the URI and manages its business affairs. Every three years, Cooperation Circle members elect trustees to serve on the Global Council.

Global Assembly

A Global Assembly is scheduled to occur every three years, in different places around the world. The Global Assembly magnifies the capacities of URI members to carry forward their dreams and initiatives. It aligns people’s strengths and offers a forum for speaking as a collective voice. Cooperation Circle members are invited to participate in the Global Assembly.

Global Staff and CC Services

Global Staff help to provide services and promote effective communication among new and existing CCs.

CCs are provided opportunity to communicate with one another using websites and listservs. CC activities and events are highlighted in global newsletters and e-bulletins sent to all CCs. CCs are invited to participate in URI regional and global assemblies and are encouraged to organize gatherings locally for mutual support and exchange of information.