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.
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