Intentional Communities Newsletter: May 18, 2009
Promoting Community Living & Cooperative Lifestyles
Communities magazine, Directory, Video and more
How to Find and Join
an Intentional Community
by McCune Porter, eNews editor
A key component of the non-profit
Fellowship's mission is "To serve as a reference source for
those seeking intentional communities, conferences, and other community
building experiences and practices appropriate to their needs."
One of the most frequently asked questions through our web
contact form at ic.org relates to exactly that part of our mission,
and goes something like this: " I
was wondering if you have some suggestions for me in regards to visiting
or joining an intentional community."
The writer may go on to further detail
her/his interests and skills, and may state preferences for a region
or country, such as in this paraphrased recent example:" I
was hoping you could help me in my search for an opportunity to work
or volunteer in an ecovillage or community in Southern California."
Here is an outline of the sort of references
we give to those asking for such information. Most of this is free
information available online:
1)Search the
FIC's Online
Directory. Visit
our homepage, then click on the tab labeled Directory to begin
your search for communities that meet any requirements you may
have. Contact the communities individually on the list you generate
and pose your questions to each community on the list. To contact
an individual community, use the contact information at the upper
right of that community's listing.
Note regarding advanced
searches: There is a check box on these pages which has an important
effect on the results which reads "Check here to include communities
who have not answered a given question in search results."
The Search
Our Site box at the top left of every page on our site
might also prove useful if none of the other online Directory
search tools seems to help locate what you're seeking.
2)REACHBook
Online Bulletin Board.
Read the postings and/or post on our free online bulletin board
which is read by thousands of people. Looking for communities
that have openings? Follow this link
to see current results of such a search.
4)Networking
Events. Attend one or more regional
or national intentional community events. The FIC sponsors
some of these, for example the Art
of Community event held last weekend outside Philadelphia.
These events are an excellent way to make connections with other
community seekers and are often attended by representatives of
various intentional communities.
5)Other Resources Beyond
Those Provided by The Fellowship. There are a few other
directories online or in print that are of value if you're interested
in cohousing , communities
in the UK, or communities
in Europe. There is a forum that
hosts various intentional community discussion groups. Search
yahoogroups and google groups for others. The FEC has a helpful
article on visiting a community within their network.
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