Dear fellow members of the TS and TOS around the world,

Can you remember back to November 2008 when we published our first international TOS electronic newsletter as an initiative to help TS and TOS members keep in touch with what was happening in the TOS worldwide? You have responded most positively to this venture and so, on our first anniversary we look forward to a second year of bringing you news and ideas for service.   

 In this issue our International Secretary, Diana Dunningham Chapotin shares her annual report. (We guarantee you won’t find it boring!) You’ll read about TOS activities in Australia, France, India, Italy and Portugal and find invitations to join social and animal welfare campaigns. Mirabai Bush’s short article challenges us to focus on small acts of service and the information on three UN International Days in early 2010 gives ideas for service activities within our communities. We finish with an endearing story of cross-species cooperation from the animal kingdom.

Remember that the newsletter is designed to be read while you are connected to the internet.

Please consider sending photographs of your TOS activities and news items that might be of interest to fellow TOS members. We would welcome your contributions, either through your National TOS Director/President/Coordinator/Correspondent or directly to the editors at: carolyn.tosinternational@gmail.com

International TOS Annual Report to September 30, 2009

“The dearest wish of TOS members is to support the TS as a place where social action as spiritual practice is valued and actively nurtured,” writes our International Secretary, Diana Dunningham Chapotin.  Read more ….

TOS news from around the world

Find out about recent TOS activities in Australia, France, India, Italy and Portugal.   Read more ….

Join the campaign against Zimbabwe's blood diamonds

Social action group, Avaaz, recently reported that Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe has brutally seized control of his country's diamond fields and is using the profits to finance a vicious political militia. Avaaz is calling for concerned people to join their campaign and sign an electronic petition on their website.   Read more ….

What’s new on the International TOS website?

Did you know that theosophists developed a healing technique that is now used in many countries? You’ll find the story of Therapeutic Touch in the new Featured Article. The work of the new TOS group in Finland is shared in the Featured Project. There are also additions to the TOS photo gallery and the Inspiration section.   Go to http://international.theoservice.org

Start small!

When we start small, we are more likely to remember that not only is it okay to be ourselves but in fact that is the most important thing. Small service is true service...
 This essay is the third in a series by Mirabai Bush that provides a guide for compassion in action.   Read more ….

Campaign to release Vietnam’s bile-farmed bears

Animals Asia Foundation is asking compassionate people world-wide to support their campaign for the release of Vietnam's bears illegally confined for bile-milking.   Read more ….

UN International Days for community activities

We feature three International Days:
January 2          World March for Peace and Non-violence
February 20      World Day of Social Justice
March 8            International Women’s Day
For information and ideas for activities in which TOS groups could engage    Read more ….

An endearing story of a pining tigress who lovingly reared another species

This is the story of a tigress who became depressed after her cubs died. However, when introduced to five orphan piglets she reared them as her own.
Read more ….

Would you like to receive this on-line newsletter automatically?

1. To sign up, just send a message to tos.intouch@gmail.com with ‘Subscribe TOS e-newsletter’ as the "Subject:". Please only do this once unless you change your address. You will be kept on the mailing list until you ask to be removed from it. For any later messages you may wish to send to us, please use some other subject name. Please also advise where you are located and what TOS group you are associated with if any.

2. If you do not want to receive future newsletters you can easily unsubscribe. All that is needed is a blank message to tos.intouch@gmail.com with ‘UNSUBSCRIBE TOS e-newsletter’ in the subject line.

   With best wishes,
      Carolyn and Diana

Diana Dunningham Chapotin is the International Secretary of the TOS and
Carolyn Harrod is the National Coordinator of the TOS in Australia. 

Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.
Albert Einstein

Go to top