Since the beginning of time, people have felt the deep need to gather to celebrate spring, life and light. Faced with the daily headlines that constantly remind us of the woes of the world, the Celebrant Foundation & Institute (www.celebrantusa.org) decided it was more important than ever for people to come together and celebrate our humanity.

On March 8th the Celebrant Foundation and Institute is throwing a Holi Festival of Colors celebration event to do just that. Holi is a joyful festival originating in India centuries ago, and is now celebrated globally with dancing, music and culinary delights. This popular Indian holiday ushers in the coming of spring and promotes unity for all people. Distinguished speakers include US Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal and Montclair, New Jersey Mayor Jerry Fried. They will talk about the importance of unity, cultural exchange and understanding among diverse peoples.   Read more...

Did your non-profit organization make a great video in 2008? We want to see it!

Video submissions are now being accepted for the 3rd Annual DoGooderTV Nonprofit Video Awards, co-sponsored by NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network and See3 Communications. Nonprofit organizations and foundations are encouraged to submit their videos at www.dogooder.tv/contest2009.   Read more...

Remember Woodstock? All those outstanding rock bands, thousands of screaming fans, and muddy camping? If you're interested in relationships you'll want to know about the first ever Conscious Relationship Summit Virtual Conference featuring 35 of the top personal growth and relationship experts in the world, accessible live by telephone and internet from anywhere in the world.

The Conscious Relationship Summit is the first and only international tele-conference to focus on creating the awareness and inspiring the action needed to create conscious relationships in all areas of life.   Read more...

Have you ever heard someone say, "I wish I was dead" when facing difficulties they think they cannot overcome? I have died millions of deaths. It need not be a goal. The "big one" is actually guaranteed. No need to strive towards it, it is always on its way. No need to hurry.

And still, there are the tiny deaths. Moment by moment by moment, the person that was, dies. In each moment, someone else, slightly different is born again. This happens over and over, 86,400 times in each day.   Read more...

What’s the best way to fight childhood obesity? The Welsh have decided that it’s to get their kids back out onto the streets...but obviously not in a negative sense. They want to see more children playing outside and being active. Organizations like Sustrans and Play Wales plan to work with the UK planning authority to improve and create new housing that will allow children to play outside. They believe this will boost the quality of life for everyone involved.

Play Wales Assistant Director Marianne Mannello said, “Play Wales recognizes the rising concern over children’s health. Time, space and freedom to play outside may have diminished but the contribution these factors can make to children’s self-reliance, emotional and physical resilience, and their sense of inclusion and participation in their own community remains unchanged.”   Read more...

The UN Global Compact was launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 1999 and put forth the powerful idea that corporate engagement on global issues benefits both business and society over the long run. "We must break the tyranny of short-term thinking in favor of long-term solutions. This will demand a renewed commitment to core principles," says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on international cooperation.   Read more...

Climb the Green Ladder (www.climbthegreenladder.com) is a book that shares practical advise on how employees, at all levels and in all industries, are moving sustainability forward in their workplaces. From your local coffee shop to your university, company, government office, supermarket and more, many of us are embracing social and environmental responsibility. Learn practical advice to help move your workplace and career forward.

We'd love to hear from you! Please take our short survey (under 9 minutes) and receive an exclusive report on employees and sustainability. Your input will feed directly into a book that Amy Fetzer (UK) and Shari Aaron (US) are co-authoring for Wiley, to be published Fall 2009.   Read more...

In the West African nation of Ghana, two American women are employing a creative approach to help their native counterparts build successful, sustainable businesses. Since 2003, Renae Adam and Kristin Johnson have assisted hundreds of women across the country to dramatically increase their income, pay off debts and find a global market for their products.

The effort grew out of their experiences as Peace Corps volunteers in the 1990s and their shared belief that helping women gain economic independence is the most effective way to create prosperous communities.   Read more...

"Loesje wants to conquer the world with creativity and posters," her website boasts. Every month, her organization publishes a series of posters that reflect on current events and world issues. The text is usually positive and avoids moralistic, dogmatic sayings.

With her posters, Loesje hopes to inspire people to take a stand in areas like human rights and democracy, international peace, environmental issues, and personal development and daily life. Loesje shared these thoughts with President Obama in a letter dated January 12.   Read more...

Savor the journey and the destination. Leave the car behind, explore stunning wilderness, and end each day with a comfortable bed, a glass of wine, a good meal, and maybe even a soak in a hot tub. Walkabout California: Hiking from Inn to Inn is an engaging series of essays that guides the reader through multi-day hikes walking from inn to inn through the wilds of California. Walkabouts guides include the Marin and Mendocino Coasts, Lassen Volcanic Park and hiking over the Sierras on the Emigrant Trail. Each chapter, a trip of its own, describes the natural and cultural history of the land as well as the details needed to plan a trip.

Walkabouts range from challenging hikes with occasional 15 to 20 mile days to leisurely strolls of 5 to 7 miles. Each Walkabout is available for electronic download at www.WalkaboutCalifornia.com where readers will also find a lively discussion generated by Walkabout enthusiasts