Building a Kinder World, One City at a Time

Background To World Kindness Listing

In Sept 2013 a motion was moved by World Kindness Thailand at the 3rd International Council Meeting in Hong Kong, in preparation for the 2014 8th General Assembly in Sydney to give the global movement the ability to formally endorse cities with a “World Kindness City” designation. The following year “Expressions of Interest” were extended to all cities and towns to submit their bids via the respective national peak kindness bodies to commence the journey to receive international endorsement. On September 3rd 2017 , international delegates convening in Seoul for the 20th anniversary of the global body, unanimously resolved the City of Gold Coast, with a population exceeding 550,000 residents, in collaboration with World Kindness Australia, to become the first city in in 20 years to receive international endorsement as a World Kindness City. The city was officially presented with this prestigious honor on the 14th of November 2017.

How To Become A World Kindness City

Once a city achieves recognition as a Kindness City within the United States through World Kindness USA, it becomes eligible for further recognition as a "World Kindness City" by the global organization, the World Kindness Movement (WKM). Here are the steps to take to become a Kindness City with The World Kindness USA:

1. City Council Resolution: The City Council must unanimously pass a resolution supporting the campaign for a kinder world and appointing Goodwill Ambassadors to promote kindness initiatives within the city. This includes placing World Kindness Day (November 13th) on the city calendar.
2. Declaration of Support: City Councilors publicly sign a "Declaration of Support" at a signing ceremony, displaying it publicly at the Council premise.
3. Community Involvement: The Mayor invites community members to form a Community World Kindness Committee, comprised of representatives from various sectors, to join the campaign.
4. Meeting KPIs: WKUSA supports the city in engaging and promoting its goodwill initiatives, ensuring they align with kindness principles and meet the required KPIs. 

The timeline for this process can vary from a few weeks to a year, depending on how quickly the city provides necessary information.

Kindness Performance Indicators (KPIs)

These KPIs outline key actions and outcomes for fostering a culture of kindness within your organization, school, or community, leading to a potential "World Kindness City" designation through World Kindness USA.

1. Leadership Commitment & Strategic Integration

• KPI: Formal integration of Kindness into Governance.

• Action: Secure a unanimous resolution from the governing body (Council, Board of Directors, School Board) to actively support and champion the campaign for a kinder world. This includes formally incorporating a Kindness Clause into the organization's constitution or letters of appointment and explicitly adding kindness to future meeting agendas.
• Measurement: Documentation of passed resolution, updated governance documents reflecting the Kindness Clause, and inclusion of "Kindness Agenda Item" in future meeting minutes.

• KPI: Executive Leadership Embraces and Advocates for Kindness.

• Action: Organize a public signing ceremony where the board and key stakeholders officially sign a "Declaration of Support" for the global campaign to create a kinder world, demonstrating a visible commitment to these values.
• Measurement: Event documentation (photos, guest list, press coverage), display of signed declaration within the organization's premises and on the website/social media platforms.

• KPI: Prioritizing the "Kinder Option" in Decision-Making.

• Action: Conduct a workshop on "The Courage to be Kind: Exploring the Path of Most Resistance" to equip leaders and staff with the skills to identify and prioritize the kindest approach in professional and personal decisions.
• Measurement: Workshop participation rates, post-workshop feedback, research shows that organizations embracing kindness experience benefits like higher employee satisfaction and customer loyalty.

2. Cultivating a Culture of Kindness & Recognition

• KPI: Empowering Kindness Ambassadors & Promoting Collaborative Acts of Kindness.

• Action: Establish a monthly program to appoint Company/Departmental Kindness Ambassadors who will lead and implement "Class Acts of Kindness" – group or departmental activities designed to foster a culture of kindness and engagement within the organization, involving all staff members, including victims, bullies and bystanders.
• Measurement: Monthly reports from Ambassadors on completed "Class Acts," staff participation rates, and an annual vote to determine the Group Act of Kindness with the greatest impact on the staff. Research shows kindness in the workplace can enhance productivity and engagement.

• KPI: Recognizing and Encouraging Individual Acts of Kindness.

• Action: Implement a system for acknowledging individual acts of kindness. This could involve an award program or a co-branded interactive Kindness Card that tracks and records a journal of kind acts as it is passed from one person to another.
• Measurement: Number of awards presented, tracking data from the Kindness Card system (e.g., number of acts recorded, spread of the cards through the community), correlation with CSR program engagement and fundraising efforts for the chosen charity.

• KPI: Employee-Driven Kindness Initiatives & Innovation.

• Action: Implement an annual process to solicit at least three actionable ideas from all staff on creating a kinder organization, school, or community, categorized by impact area: (A) Community, (B) Clients and Suppliers, and (C) Workplace.
• Measurement: Number of ideas submitted, number of ideas implemented, employee satisfaction with the initiative, and impact reports from implemented ideas.

3. Measuring Impact & Continuous Improvement

• KPI: Assessing Kindness Levels & Identifying Areas for Growth.

• Action: Conduct an annual Kindness Index in collaboration with World Kindness USA, focusing on both internal (workplace, staff interactions) and external (community, client relations) perceptions of kindness.
• Measurement: Kindness Index scores (internal and external), comparative data over time to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

• KPI: Organizational Purpose Beyond the Bottom Line.

• Action: Clearly articulate and communicate the organization's commitment to being an "Agent for Positive Change," emphasizing a purpose that extends beyond financial metrics. This can be embedded in mission statements, values, and strategic planning.
• Measurement: Inclusion of "Agent for Positive Change" and similar language in official documents, communication materials, and employee engagement surveys that reflect purpose beyond profit, research shows prioritizing people over profit is a strategic imperative.

• KPI: Actively Participating in the Global Kindness Movement.

• Action: Actively participate in World Kindness USA and the World Kindness Movement initiatives, sharing best practices and contributing to the global campaign for a kinder world.
• Measurement: Participation in World Kindness USA events/initiatives, engagement with the World Kindness Movement, sharing of best practices and initiatives with other World Kindness Cities or organizations.

These refined KPIs provide a more concrete framework for guiding and measuring your organization's journey to becoming a recognized Kindness City. Remember to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative data to assess progress and ensure your efforts truly foster a kinder and more compassionate environment.