Frequently Asked Questions
What
is the Virtues Project™?
How did it start?
What
is the purpose of the project?
Who is applying
the project?
Where
is The Virtues Project™ being used?
Why virtues?
Why not values?
Is
The Virtues Project™ connected with a particular Faith community
or organization?
Is it a "religious"
program?
The word "spiritual" is used in Virtues Strategies.
How are you defining it?
Who
can sponsor a Virtues Project program?
What
products and materials do you offer?
How
can I bring a seminar to my organization or community?
What
is a Virtues Project Facilitator?
What products are there available for purchase?
It is an initiative focused on the practice of virtues in everyday life. It is a global project offering personal, professional and community development programs and materials to help people of all cultures live by their highest values.
It was founded in 1991 by three concerned individuals who made a commitment to do something to counteract the rising violence among families and youth. Linda Kavelin-Popov, her husband Dr. Dan Popov and her brother, John Kavelin researched the world's diverse sacred traditions, and discovered more than 360 virtues at the heart of all beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. They self-published a book to help parents bring out the best in themselves and their children. The Family Virtues Guide is now published by Penguin/Putnam and is translated into many languages. see our background page
What is the purpose of the project?
The purpose of The Virtues Project
is
to provide life-skill strategies that make the knowledge and practice of
virtues accessible to people of all cultures. The
Five Strategies help individuals to live more reverent, purposeful lives,
support parents to raise children of strong moral character, inspire excellence,
commitment and service in the workplace, and help schools and communities
to build a climate of safety and caring.
Where is The Virtues Project™ being used?
The project has grown into a global grass roots network of diverse individuals,
organizations, schools, and communities in more than 85 countries. Virtues
Connection Groups have formed in many countries and more than 1000 Virtues
Project Facilitators have been trained worldwide. In 1993, during the International
Year of the Family, the United Nations Secretariat and World Conference of
Cities and Corporations honored The Virtues Project as
a model global program for families of all cultures.
Examples of clients and organizations applying it are: Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Vancouver School Board, Canada; Living Values Program of New Zealand; Weyerhauser Employee and Family Assistance Program; Utah Youth Federation; Effective Black Parenting, Washington State; and the Society of Aboriginal Addictions and Recovery Services, Canada.
Virtues are simpler than values. Virtues are the qualities of our character. Values are whatever we consider important. We can value anything from money and power to the Golden Rule. Values are culture-specific, while virtues such as courage, honor, justice, and love are the common elements of character and spirituality universally valued by all cultures. We may practice them differently from one culture to another but we all value them.
Is The Virtues Project™ connected with a particular Faith community or organization?
The Virtues Project is
not about the practices or beliefs of any one religion. It is sourced in
the teachings about virtues found in the sacred traditions of all cultures.
Its purpose is to support all people, both those who are religious and those
who are not, to awaken the virtues of their character.
Virtues Project™ programs and materials are used by many secular organizations such as schools, health care agencies, and corporations to help create a positive culture of character. Diverse faith communities around the world also use the Virtues Project to enhance the cultivation of virtues and the authenticity of their spiritual practices.
The word "spiritual" is used in Virtues Strategies. How are you defining it?
The word "spiritual" is contained in many educational mandates as a significant dimension of character education. The working definition of spirituality used in The Virtues Project™ is:
- Having a sense of meaning and purpose
- Living with integrity, according to a person's highest beliefs and values
- Mastery of the virtues of our character
- A sense of reverence for life and for all people
What products and materials do you offer?
Our programs and topics are designed for a wide range of audiences and are often developed to address specific issues and goals. They can take the form of an inspirational keynote for a conference, a workshop for teachers, parents or managers, a community violence prevention program, or a five-day Facilitator Training. See Local Workshops .
Who can sponsor a Virtues Project program?
Virtues Project workshops and trainings can be sponsored by government agencies, corporations, social service agencies, community organizations, schools, or by individuals.
How can I bring a seminar to my organization or community?
Contact us here .
What is a Virtues Project Facilitator?
A facilitator has had at least five days of training in the Strategies of the Project. They facilitate others learning about and practicing the virtues in their lives, either by informal sharing or by giving introductory workshops, such as in-service for teachers, parenting classes, youth workshops, corporate workshops or personal development retreats. . See Meet Our Facilitators.
What products are there available for purchase?
• The Virtues Project ™ Educator’s Guide- Simple Ways to Create a Culture of Character. This Guide is full of activities and lesson ideas of how to encourage respect, responsibility and other basic virtues in schools and homes.
• Sets of Virtues Cards: For schools: Virtues Cards- Reminders of the Gifts of Character. Le Projet des Vertus- Cartes pour éducateurs. Multi-faith: Virtues Cards- Reminder of the Gifts Within
• Posters Virtues; The Gifts of Character