Karuna-Shechen exists thanks to the involvement of its members, whether they are volunteers, employees, interns, or trainees. Together, we work daily to provide the best possible service to the people supported by our programs.

The association strives to embody what it advocates. Thus, altruism is established as a work culture and manifests in various forms, contributing to personal fulfillment and the emergence of a work environment that fosters both efficiency and kindness.

Our field teams are entirely composed of local professionals from our intervention regions, whose cultural and spiritual diversity we fully respect.

343 members
including 163 volunteers

13 nationalities
represented

54% women
46% men

Self-governance

Self-governance is an alternative to both democratic collective decision-making and hierarchical pyramid decision-making. The decision-making authority rests with the person initiating the project (also known as the source) as long as it does not harm the living organization and aligns with the annual strategic plan approved by the Board and the CEO. Therefore, self-governance is neither anarchy, nor a pyramid, nor mere horizontality.

Wholeness

Linked to the development of each individual’s emotional skills, wholeness invites all members to open up to others, to be authentic, and to show all their facets—including their vulnerability. In this way, the full human potential of each person can be harnessed for the effective functioning of the organization.

Evolving Purpose

The organization is a living entity with its own energy and sense of direction. The leadership team allows missions to evolve according to the context and the direction each member wishes to give them. Everyone strives to listen to where the organization is naturally inclined to go.

At Karuna-Shechen, everyone is encouraged to cultivate an altruistic mindset in their daily interactions, particularly through shared work values that form a common foundation for all members.

These values are based on expressing kindness and empathy towards one another. They encourage us to act with full awareness each day for the collective well-being. They help create a welcoming and pleasant work environment.

Integrating and applying these values daily is a mental exercise, a commitment from our members to each other, as well as to the individuals we support and the benefactors who support our work.

A meeting at Karuna

The meeting process at Karuna-Shechen is based on a distinct set of principles and practices. Meetings begin with a moment of collective meditation to cultivate presence, followed by a round where each participant shares their inner state. To ensure attentive listening, a talking stick system is used. At the end of the meeting, each person expresses a final word to share their gratitude or any tensions.

This meeting structure is applied not only to work or service meetings but also to governance meetings and encounters with partners or benefactors.