Who We Are and Our Vision


We envision a community where we live in peace and compassion for all.

Compassionate Communication of Central Ohio (CCCO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to the principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), as developed by psychologist and international peacemaker, Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, and inspired by the teachings of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jeff Brown (pictured at right) is the Executive Director of CCCO. Jeff is a Certified Trainer with the international Center for Nonviolent Communication, and has led NVC trainings in 16 U.S. states and 6 countries. Learn more about Jeff here and watch a short video of him presenting at a retreat.  Jeff is also an Associate Trainer with the NVC Training Institute.

 

Our Board of Directors includes:

Jerry SaundersJerry Saunders, Sr. (pictured at left), Board Chair. Jerry is Chief Executive Officer and President of Africentric Personal Development Shop.  Learn more about Jerry's work.

 

  • Carole MengeCarole Menge (pictured at right), Treasurer, is Director of Family Education and Grants at Buckeye Ranch, Inc.
  • Gayle Miller is First Vice President and Senior HR Business Partner for Retail Financial Services - Chase Bank.

  • Victoria PeytonVictoria Peyton (pictured at right).
  • Kim Raderstorf
  • Susanna Warren


Our Guiding Principles


Within CCCO, we commit to foster the spirit and practice of Nonviolent Communicaction (NVC) in everything we do.

Our core principles, by which we check each and every decision we make, is to serve our mission and vision.

  1. Connecting with our hearts is our highest value.
  2. We value everyone’s needs equally.
  3. Gratitude and celebration are the underlying energy of what we do.
  4. How we do something is as important as what we do.
  5. We honor the Africentric Elder Tradition.
  6. We will operate in the spirit of social entrepreneurship.
  7. We celebrate and give thanks for every resource entrusted to our care, and fully commit to use them wisely and ethically.

 

Our History


The original impetus to form CCCO came from Mark Feinknopf, who, together with his life partner, Cynthia Moe, had come in contact with the teachings of Marshall Rosenberg. They have formed an organization, Sacred Space Inc, in Atlanta, Geogia to promote NVC. Cynthia and Mark quickly adopted Marshall's work and the principles of NVC in the Atlanta area, working with the Carter Center and the Martin Luther King Center.

 

Mark Feinknopf (left) & Cynthia MoeMark had been a well-known architect in Columbus, Ohio, in a firm bearing his name and founded by his father. He has retained close ties with Columbus and wanted to see NVC become part of the Columbus area. A steering committee was formed which initiated the idea of the organization which has become Compassionate Communication of Central Ohio.

The organization's initial goal was to bring Marshall to Columbus, a goal that was achieved in March 2006 during which Dr. Rosenberg led a highly successful 3-day conference. Since the organization had only been in existence for 3 months, this was a leap of faith which has born fruit.