Bright Morning Star

Seattle, Washington, United States

Last updated: August 14, 2018 (2 seconds ago)
Listing created on: January 24, 2005

Mission Statement

Supportive family, ecological/sustainable living patterns, social justice

Community Description

Bright Morning Star is a small urban cooperative, formed to support our members in their social justice and artistic pursuits. Located in Seattle, we enjoy many benefits of city living, including a wide range of friends and interests outside our home: Quaker meeting, music, environmental and social justice organizations, and the Northwest Intentional Community Association, among others. We share chores, food, mostly vegetarian meals, and meet regularly, making decisions by consensus. Our workdays honor the continued well-being of our home, and our celebrations recognize the Light within each of us. Occasionally one of us spontaneously bursts into song. We began in Philadelphia in 1979 via the Life Center as two couples (gay and straight) combining incomes and co-parenting three children. In 1985 we moved to Seattle and eventually bought a large, airy house. Although members have come and gone over the years, we are still committed to maintaining a pleasant, cooperative, multicultural and nurturing environment for personal growth and social activism. Our “Solar Plan” is now complete with our second solar energy installation. Two sets of solar panels produce large portions of our hot water and electricy. It’s quite a thrill to see the electric meter running in reverse. Invited guests are welcome. Advance notice required.

Status: Established (At least 4+ adults, 2+ years)
Started Planning: 1979
Start Living Together: 1979
Visitors accepted: Yes
Open to new Members: Not currently, but there is a list or possibly in the future
Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community. Send Message
Website address: http://www.ic.org/directory/bright-morning-star/
Contact Name: Jonathan Betz-Zall
Phone: 206-782-9305
Community Address:
302 NW 81st St
Seattle, Washington, 98117-4030
United States
FIC Membership

Since 1993
Location

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About

Type(s): Shared Housing, Cohouseholding, or Coliving (multiple individuals sharing a dwelling)

Programs & Activities: Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner’s Association, Organization, Resource, or Network

Location: Urban

Housing

Status: We have land we have developed on

Area: 0.1 acres

Current Residence Types: Room(s) in a house or building

Current Number of Residences: 1

Housing Provided: Included in Membership

Land owned by: A subgroup of community members

Additional Comments:
Single city lot

Membership

Adult Members: 6

Child Members: 0

Non-member Residents: 0

Percent Women: 61-70%

Percent Men: 31-40%

Percent Transgender: 0%

Visitors accepted: Yes

Visitor Process:
Write at least two weeks in advance, either by email or with a SASE. All visitors are approved by the group, so tell us something substantial about yourself, particularly your purpose in visiting. We are small in size and short on time and energy to share with visitors, but welcome those who may share our interests.

Membership Process:
When openings occur, we advertise on http://seattle.craigslist.org . We select the most promising responses and interview the people at meals. If things look good we schedule a second meeting within a few days, during which we check references. When a person is invited to join, s/he will move in for a 3-month trial period, and post a $200 deposit bond. At the end of the trial period, we hold a “clearness” meeting, where each person testifies as to the opportunities and challenges presented by the person’s membership. Then, if all are in agreement, the person is admitted to full membership.

Additional Comments:
grace before meals, meditation after housemeeting

no children currently in community

Government

Decision Making: Consensus (everyone agrees)

Identified Leader: No

Leadership Core Group: Yes

Additional Comments:
Everyone living here who has undergone a formal “clearness” process is considered a full member. Decisions about the long-term structure of the house (roof, energy systems, etc.) are made by the property owners. All other decisions are made by the entire group of members.

Economics

Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes

Regular Fee per Month: $801

Shared Income: None

Required Labor Contribution per Week: 5

Open to members with existing debt: Yes

Additional Comments:
cost-sharing, non-profit rent level

debt has no effect on membership

weekly chores, bi-monthly work days.

$200, applied to last month’s rent share

cost-sharing; amount varies depending on number of sharers. Current upper limit $809 including food.

Sustainability Practices

Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.

Current renewable energy generation: 26-49%

Energy sources: Solar, Biomass, Clean Energy from the Grid

Planned renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%

Current food produced: Up to 25%

Planned food produced: Up to 25%

Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

Common Facilities: Garden(s), Library, Internet

Internet Available: Yes, community provides it

Internet Fast?: Yes, exceptionally.

Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.

Shared meals: 1-3 times per month

Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms), Mostly Vegetarian, Mostly Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.

Special Diets OK: Yes

Alcohol Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.

Tobacco Use: No, this community does not permit tobacco use.

Additional Diet Comments:
but we obtain most of our vegetables from a local CSA farm

but we accommodate all preferences

we honor the preferences of those who are present for meals