Companionship Operating Principles and Values

Companionship Values and Operating Principles

The Companionship is inclusive and not exclusive. All members who adhere to non-violence, equity, diversity and inclusion are welcome to join the Companionship. The Companionship exists to serve our members.

Mission Statement

The goal of the Companionship is to offer the potential for both individual and collective spiritual growth.

Diversity

Diversity is the presence of human differences within the Companionship. We welcome any ethnicity, religious orientation, nationality or sexual orientation.

Inclusion

Diversity is being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. Everyone who is a member or is considering becoming a member is welcome, valued and is given opportunities for spiritual growth through our ceremonies.

Equity

Equity recognizes that we don’t all start from the same place because advantages and barriers exist. Diversity and inclusion are both outcomes. Equity is not. The Companionship engages all of our members to ensure that people with marginalized identities or economic circumstances have the opportunity to participate, grow, contribute and develop within the Companionship.

Policy Development

The Companionship is not a static organization. We are constantly learning, growing and being guided by the plant medicines and by our own human values. Our policies naturally evolve to encompass this growth.

All members are encouraged to engage within the Companionship, to make recommendations or refine our policies and procedures. Everyone within the Companionship is responsible for upholding our values, policies and procedures or suggesting ways to improve them. All input is valued and is brought up for consideration within our various working groups.

Working Groups

The Companionship operates on working groups or individuals. These can be informal or formally recognized groups or individuals who are tasked or undertake works based on our values and principles. Within this context leaders or champions naturally emerge and can gain support or lose it based on their own conduct, ideas or initiatives.