CIP Beliefs and Principles

"Significant community development takes place only when local community people are committed to investing themselves and their resources in the effort." From Building Communities from the Inside Out.

· Positive action has NO LIMITS.

· Hierarchies are unequal. We strive to work together with respect and kindness for one another in all circumstances.

· 90% of the support needed is already available within the community. Only 10% of the resources that are presumed to be needed may be required in the form of cash.

· Action will not be limited by lack of funding or resources. We put "right action" first.

· It is imperative to avoid dampening the energy and enthusiasm of ALL individuals, and to build first and foremost on the strengths of local people as the most valuable resource in any community.

· Every individual carries gifts, talents, and passions that will, when released and nurtured, create significant community change. We support individual visions for change, without censorship.

· Community change must be focused on strengthening the weakest links, therefore...

· The vision of those most marginalized and challenged by life's circumstances is MOST important in learning from one another about how to strengthen our weakest community links.

· There are no redundant efforts or services. (Duplication of services cannot exist.)

· What does not work for one of us, cannot work for "all".