Why We Exist

1. We Want a Better World - we want to actively work towards a world that embraces our values. These are outlined in Our Values <Word Document - 51KB>. They include the desire for a world that is more sustainable, more just, and in which there is a high level of intellectual coherence. The latter concept is explained more in our various papers, but includes the need to help individuals become more self-determined and intellectually independent. We feel that the world is currently far from this vision and that these values need to be energetically pursued in the most effective way possible.

2. A New Approach ('Practical Wisdom') is Required - we believe that people will become more effective at both pursuing this vision for a better world and improving their own lives if they become better, deeper thinkers. This requires a mix of skills and perspectives:

	The Theoretical - an overarching understanding of philosophy, human beings, their beliefs and their social, cultural, political and historical situation;
	The Personal - a profound personal appreciation of the human experience;
	The Practical - an ability to put the skills, learning and wisdom from personal and professional experience into practice.

If an individual possesses and utilises this collection of skills, we suggest they are using 'Practical Wisdom'. We believe that this mix of skills is rarely employed as a package in any context in the modern world, whether it is in our everyday lives as individuals or in our working lives when pursuing the values we care about. ChangeStar seeks to promote this mix of skills and to apply it to the pursuit of the values we care about.

What We Do
We use our own particular brand of practical wisdom to provide a range of functions:

Who We Are
Some information on the people associated with ChangeStar.

Richard Docwra - Founder
Richard's background covers several of the key areas that constitute ChangeStar, and it is this mixture of background experience that led him to develop the organisation.

He has worked within issues relating to global and social change for over 10 years, working with organisations such as Oxfam, Concern and Schumacher UK. As the Chief Executive of fundraising agency TW CAT Ltd, he led the company to achieve a 20-fold growth in turnover over a 3-year period.

In recent years his work interests have turned to theoretical issues, leaving TW CAT in order to undertake a number of projects, including the development of a not-for-profit scheme entitled 'just think…' (www.justthink.org.uk), the provision of consultancy to the not-for-profit sector, the completion of an MA in Philosophy and the continuation of his study and writing on philosophical and other issues. Published work includes ''Active Global Citizenship" in Renewal (2004) and the forthcoming book 'Modern Life - As Good As It Gets?' (Green Books, Oct 2007). See www.richarddocwra.com for more details.

Tim Walker - Associate
Tim has 20 years experience of campaigning and fundraising. He has worked at grass roots level right up to senior level in a range of pressure groups, charities and commercial organisations.

His early campaigning and fundraising was for CND and the Anti Apartheid Movement. He then moved onto the position of Head of Fundraising at John Grooms Association for Disabled People. After this, Tim established TW CAT - a direct marketing agency for voluntary organisations. In ten years of work TW CAT was never beaten in donor fundraising tests and broke records for every client. Tim's approach is based upon a marriage of targeting and creative. He is also a strong advocate of making high profile advertising work for campaigning organisations.

Tim was one of the founders of Our World Our Say - www.owos.info - an online advocacy organisation seeking to enhance democracy by giving people a voice.

Daniel Spicer- Associate
Daniel began working in the charity sector in 1998, shortly after moving to Brighton. Since then he has been Head of Creative at Personal Telephone Fundraising and Head of Copy at fundraising agency TWCAT.

Daniel struck out as a freelance writer at the beginning of 2006 and has continued to work with a number of charities and agencies specialising in the not-for-profit sector.

His journalism has appeared in The Independent, Jazzwise and Plan B magazine.

Marcus Duck - Associate
Marcus has worked on a wide range of design projects for a variety of clients. He has particular experience in the not-for-profit sector, having worked as a designer at fundraising agency TW CAT.