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

We trust that you are beginning 2010 with a sense of optimism and a conviction that every small act of service imbued with compassion and given selflessly will make a positive difference to life on this beautiful planet.

In this issue we celebrate the publication of our International President’s new book, The World Around Us. You’ll find news from TOS Groups in India, Australia, Pakistan and Tanzania, an article about the Copenhagen summit and an invitation to join a campaign to help animals in circuses. Our article is by our International Secretary, Diana Dunningham Chapotin and Australian member, Dorothy Bell. They share their ideas on how the work of the TOS can support the Theosophical Society. The information on two more UN International Days in early 2010 gives ideas for service activities within our communities. As usual, we finish with an inspirational story, this time beautifully illustrated.

Remember that the newsletter is designed to be read while you are connected to the internet. We hope that you will continue to enjoy keeping in touch with what is happening in the TOS worldwide and find inspiration and ideas for service.

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

Radha Burnier publishes her fifth book

Radha Burnier, the International President of both the Theosophical Society and the Theosophical Order of Service, has recently published her fifth book. The World Around Us is a compilation of her editorials, “From the Watchtower”, published in The Theosophist over the past thirty years.   Read more ….

TOS news from around the world

Find out about recent TOS activities in the Assam and Arunachal Region of India, Melbourne in Australia, Pakistan and Tanzania.  
Read more ….

After Copenhagen - the continuing need for climate change action

Many people and organisations pinned their hopes for dealing with climate change on the capacity of the international community to reach agreement during the Copenhagen summit and to commit to positive action. This was not to be and for many, the unwillingness of countries to sign up to definite action is seen as a failure. However, perhaps we should realistically regard the December 2009 UN talks as a starting point.   Read more ….

What’s new on the International TOS website?

The simplest mobility aids can make a world of difference to a person with a disability, yet they are often not available to poor people in India. The new Featured Project describes the valuable work of the TOS in India to provide mobility aids. Australian TOS member, Dorothy Bell shares insights from the heart in the new Featured Article. There are also additions to the TOS photo gallery and the Inspiration section.   Go to http://international.theoservice.org

How to move forward? The Theosophical Order of Service lends a helping hand

Service to others is possibly an element common to all our visions for the future of the TS, writes Diana Dunningham Chapotin, International Secretary of the TOS, and Dorothy Bell, Australia. What then could be more natural than for active members of the Theosophical Order of Service to talk about how the TOS can help the TS move forward?   Read more ….

Campaign for the welfare of circus animals

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is currently campaigning for the welfare of circus animals. Their present focus is the treatment of baby elephants who are cruelly bound with ropes and wrestled by several adult men to learn circus ‘tricks’. The baby elephants scream, cry, and struggle as they are stretched out, slammed to the ground, gouged with bullhooks and shocked with electric prods.   Read more ….

UN International Days for community activities

We feature two International Days:
April 22             Earth Day
May 15             International Day of Families
For information and ideas for activities in which TOS groups could engage,    Read more ….

An inspirational story of a cracked pot

The moral of this story, told in a beautiful slide show, is that it is wise to value all of our attributes.   
View as a video …. (very low volume music)
View or download as a Powerpoint show

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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. 

Wisdom is a root-principle in man, which has to flower in right thought, right action and right living.
N. Sri Ram

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