RECIPROCITY: A dynamical flow between two things, in this case a back and forth engagement between human beings and physical places. Underlying concepts are mutual respect, dependence and equality.

RESONANCE: The word resonance means “re-sound”, which indicates a flow of energy or vibration between two things, in this case two or more people. The word has also been used in contexts outside of physics, such as in psychology where it connotes empathy, or in the spiritual realm where oneness or unity of things is implied.

SOURCING: a receptivity to origination or underlying essence or purpose; opening to that which is arising; making connection with a place or point where energy and intentionality enter into a system.

STEWARD/STEWARDSHIP: Organizations are collections of relationships. The role of a steward is to preserve and amplify the quality of those relationships. According to Peter Block, stewardship is “the willingness to be held accountable for the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service, rather than control, of those around us.”

STORY OF A PLACE: the shared history or narrative associated with a particular location or geographic setting; meaning connected with what has transpired in a place.

THINKING PARTNER: A person or persons invited to join one another to think about an idea, imagining or question as a reflective partner. The person(s) listens thoughtfully, asks good questions, helps identify assumptions, helps to reframe the information, notice patterns or put words on what is being considered. The person join together to listen for what is showing up and sensing what is emerging.

TRANSLOCAL: We believe that large-scale systems change emerges when local actions get connected globally-while preserving their deeply local culture, flavor and form. There is the possibility of widespread impact when people working at the local level are able to learn from one another, practice together and share their learning with communities everywhere.

WITNESSING: Bearing witness, according to Bernie Glassman, is directly experiencing reality in the present moment. In the moment of bearing witness, we invite new insight and understanding along with a broader sense of compassion and connection. He writes: “When we really listen, when we really pay attention to the sounds of joy and suffering in the universe, then we are not separate from them, we become them. Because, in reality, we are not separate from those who suffer. We are them; they are us. It is our suffering and it is our joy. When we don’t listen, we are shutting ourselves off—not from others but from ourselves.” “We can’t do this from a place of knowing. When we think we know something we don’t listen. We have to empty ourselves over and over, return to unknowing and just listen. And listen. And listen.”

ZERO WASTE: Zero waste is a philosophy and a movement that aims to redesign our production and consumption cycles to reduce waste to zero. The intention is to create circular systems where all outputs from one cycle become inputs to another cycle so that as much waste as possible is reused—similar to the way it is in nature.