Common Welfare Guidelines
As you consider your role as a graduate, affiliate, and ambassador, please consider and adhere to these principles.
Recognizing that we are interconnected and interdependent, each of us is charged with the responsibility of caring for One Spirit and its reputation. We consider the welfare of the entire One Spirit community and the common principles and values we share in how we present ourselves and our spiritual service:
As ambassadors and caregivers of this organization, we are asked to think about the possible effects of our decisions on One Spirit and its broader community. We can act autonomously except when our actions or decisions may impact unfairly on someone else or on One Spirit as a whole.
Understanding that we are each the public face of One Spirit, we recognize that representing One Spirit accurately and with integrity ensures that the spiritual home of our service continues to flourish and that others who are looking for the educational programs and spiritual community we offer will be able to find us.
We never take it upon ourselves to draw the name of One Spirit into public controversy. As individuals we are free to discuss or champion any cause we feel strongly about. However, we make clear that we are taking our positions as individual people of conscience and faith and not as representatives of One Spirit.
Fair Use of One Spirit’s Name
As you offer your service to the world as One Spirit graduates, we ask that you abide by the following guidelines regarding your use of the name One Spirit (or variations such as One Spirit Learning Alliance, One Spirit Interfaith Seminary, One Spirit Interspiritual Counseling Program, etc.), especially in promotional materials (web, print, ads, and other promotional materials). These guidelines are intended to maintain the integrity of the One Spirit name, its programs, and every graduate and student connected to the organization.
Assessing Fair Use
The primary assessment we all must make in determining appropriate use of the One Spirit name as part of our credentials is to determine alignment with One Spirit’s primary purpose and message. If you can answer “Yes” to both of these questions, please feel free to use One Spirit’s name in your credentials:
Primary Purpose: Are you promoting your offering of services that were covered in your One Spirit program(s) when using One Spirit’s name as part of your credentials?
Alternative Work Expressions
Many One Spirit graduates offer services that, despite being outside of their One Spirit training, are favorably complemented by their One Spirit credentials.
When providing services other than those covered in your One Spirit curricula, please make sure it is clear in your representation of yourself where you were trained or prepared to offer those services.
When it might otherwise be ambiguous, please state that your ordination/graduation from One Spirit does not imply One Spirit’s endorsement of those services.
Message: Does your writing, teaching, and other communication align with One Spirit’s Vision, Mission, and Values?
Alternative Messages
We believe that One Spirit’s Vision, Mission, and Values are a north star that both
holds the One Spirit organization, staff, student, and graduate community in a baseline agreement of what we stand for as a collective and
provides ample space for diversity of thought, innovation, and exploration.
If your messaging, work, teaching, or communications contrasts or conflicts with these minimum common principles, please make it abundantly clear that your opinions are your own, how they may conflict with your One Spirit training, and that they don’t represent the principles of the organization.
Questions? Tensions?
If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your use of the One Spirit name in any context, please contact Ilene Sameth, CEO.
Violations
If you come across any materials that use the One Spirit name in a way that is questionable or that makes you as a One Spirit graduate in any way uncomfortable, please bring this to our attention.