Missed Opportunity at the Goat Ranch
Posted on October 29, 2019 byTed and Sally were truthful when they said they had no idea what they were doing, either running the business or establishing a community. They didn’t, much to the dismay of their departing managers and volunteers.
Founder’s Syndrome
Posted on October 22, 2019 byThe original founder, visionary, and main public point person for Bellyacres for over a quarter of a century laments that some members came to consider him “the root of all present, past, and future problems in the organization.”
Entrepreneurship and Long-Term Planning in an Income-Sharing Community: A Report from the Frontlines
Posted on October 15, 2019 byThe pace of running a competitive multi-million-dollar business like East Wind Nut Butters can clash with the often slow and seemingly disinterested pace of the community at large.
The Expert
Posted on October 8, 2019 byWow! This woman has it all! She’s the answer to so many of our current dilemmas! What could possibly go wrong? A lot.
Village-Building Stumbles: A few of the things Earthaven Ecovillage has gotten wrong
Posted on October 1, 2019 byThose of us privileged enough to find ourselves in an intentional community often imagine that our environment will be free of the horrors and evils of the world. But alas, we bring it all with us.
Life Together – a video series from the Bruderhof
Posted on September 30, 2019 byLIFE TOGETHER is a video series created by members of the Bruderhof, a Christian movement of intentional communities. The first six videos in the series are focused on intentional community – what it is, resources for potential problems, and Q&A. The videos draw from experiences and challenges that the Bruderhof has learned from over the… Read More
Idealistic & Spiritual Communities: A Thriving Ecovillage Template
Posted on September 26, 2019 bySubmitted by Pacific Domes — Cristina Chadwick Many people, going about their busy lives, take pride in calling themselves realists. Realists tend to view idealism as impractical – however, in contrast to the hectic consumer-based pace of modern life, it might be argued, that idealistic and spiritually-minded individuals and communities seem to lead happier lives. … Read More
Why Americans of All Ages are Coming Together in Intentional Communities
Posted on September 24, 2019 by1 Comment
This article was originally published by TIME and accompanied by a video: https://time.com/intentional-communities/ ‘Everyone Needs Someone Else’ BY JEFFREY KLUGER There’s not a lot to do in Syracuse, N.Y. when you’re living alone and a winter storm system dumps 3 feet of snow on the city. There’s no going outside, but there’s no staying inside… Read More
Community Communication
Posted on September 24, 2019 by“Can you put the gas in the truck, please?” A seemingly simple request provides a case study in the importance of precise, clear communication.
The Shadow Side of Community
Posted on September 17, 2019 byThe more friendliness we have towards difficult parts of ourselves and difficult aspects of living in community, the easier it will be to make the journey together.
Notes from the Editor: Exploring the Shadow Side
Posted on September 10, 2019 byA higher standard for interpersonal accountability and care makes the effect even more devastating when feelings of safety, security, and affection in community turn out to be based on illusion.
Publisher’s Note: Facing the Hard Things
Posted on September 3, 2019 byIn order to create healthy, thriving communities that are replicable models for a cooperative, sustainable, and just human society, we need to talk about what hasn’t worked.
5 Tips on How to Contact an Intentional Community
Posted on September 2, 2019 byTaking the plunge to visit the community you’ve researched can be scary. Here are five tips to consider when contacting a community for the first time through ic.org. 1. Be respectful of people’s time and busy lives. Communicate with the essential aspects of your request. How long would you like to say? What are your… Read More
The Shadow Side of Cooperation – get your free download!
Posted on August 27, 2019 byA natural follow-up to our Summer 2019 Sexual Politics issue, Communities #184 (Fall 2019) focuses on The Shadow Side of Cooperation. We explore problems and pitfalls, disappointments and betrayals, unintended outcomes of cooperative attempts ranging in impact from trivial to tragic. Authors’ stories describe the clash of idealism with reality, communication breakdowns, cultural patterning, internalized oppression, rights and boundary violations, founder’s syndrome, business and organizational struggles, power, ego, disempowerment, dysfunction, trauma, and strategies to address these and other challenges. Please join us!
Seeking community? 950 options for you.
Posted on August 21, 2019 byAre you seeking a community to join? Well, here’s some good news, we know communities looking for you! 950 intentional communities are open to new members right now. See the full list here. People choose to join intentional community for many reasons – better quality of life, sense of purpose, connection with people, opportunities to make a… Read More
Does Community Heal Trauma, or Reproduce It?: Challenges for abuse survivors living in community
Posted on August 20, 2019 bySurvivors of traumatic abuse face many problems in trying to form and participate in community. Trauma-informed community commits to keeping the survivor safe in wide zones of ambiguity, as challenging as that might be.
The Red Flag of Hypocrisy
Posted on August 18, 2019 byThe most troubling thing isn’t when a charismatic leader uses gangster tactics, but when the people in his office, who sing the songs of love and community values, are complicit.
Do Communities Need Feminist Dissent?
Posted on August 16, 2019 byIn the midst of wider social movements in the areas of gender and sexuality, communities everywhere need a place for feminist dissent and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations. Dissent is part of how we build resilience together.
How to Stop Climate Change and Never Be Lonely Again
Posted on July 30, 2019 byEmpowered, sustainable communities are the antidote to isolation. And they are the pivotal technology that makes renewable energy, essential for reversing climate change, actually renewable.
DVD Clearance: 60%-75% off all documentary DVD’s!
Posted on July 29, 2019 byWe’re clearing out all DVD’s and nearly giving them away for free. All DVD’s are just $8 ~ Get ’em while you can!View more at our Video page.
Relationships in a Community-Forming Group
Posted on July 23, 2019 byWhile trying to start a community with poly-friendly collaborators, two monogamous partners achieve greater clarity in their six-year relationship, and end it.
Centering the Margins: Diversity and Inclusion in Intentional Communities
Posted on July 22, 2019 byArticle originally published at http://cynthiatina.com/ “I came to Camphill thinking I was going to learn about social therapy for people with special needs, but then I learned it’s actually mainstream society that needs the social therapy,” a Camphill resident shared on stage during an opening plenary for the International Communal Studies Association (ISCA) Conference, hosted… Read More
Diggers & Dreamers receives the 2020 Kozeny Communitarian Award
Posted on July 20, 2019 byThe Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) recognizes Diggers & Dreamers as the 2020 recipient of the Kozeny Communitarian Award, honoring the indomitable spirit of Geoph Kozeny, who devoted his adult life to creating community in the world. The award was presented by FIC Executive Director, Sky Blue, to Diggers & Dreamers organizer, Chris Coates, during… Read More
Pros and Cons of Polyamory
Posted on July 16, 2019 byPolyamory comes with abundant advantages as well as numerous downsides; a polyamorist weighs the tradeoffs, grieves disappointment and loss, and celebrates love.
I Survived a Dysfunctional Polyamorous Relationship and Learned Some Lessons about Love
Posted on July 9, 2019 byLove is too strong an instinct to be dismissed, repressed, or restricted, even if it is not returned. The author recovers from a soul-crushing breakup.
The Sting of Discrimination: When Polyamory Is Considered a “Red Flag”
Posted on June 25, 2019 by9 Comments
Previously on the path to community acceptance, an applicant experiences for the first time “the direct sting of bigotry, the shock of exclusion based on stereotypes” when her family is denied on the basis of polyamory.
What should you listen to? Podcasts for the community minded.
Posted on June 24, 2019 byWe love podcasts for their ease of listening and multitasking. Get a dose of inspiring stories and current news while making your morning tea, on the way to work, or relaxing in the evening. The selection below was sourced from our friends at New Economy Coalition (FIC is a member organization!). This is what you… Read More
Craft Weaves Together a Community
Posted on June 20, 2019 byA story by Thumbs Cassidy, a person with a mission (in his case the promotion and construction of yurts) who travels from community to community educating and demonstrating. Excerpt from an article originally published at https://paxus.wordpress.com/2019/05/19/craft-weaves-together/ Through the haze of old safety goggles I struggle to read the fractions of an inch I was told to… Read More
The Triangle of Consent
Posted on June 18, 2019 by5 Comments
Recognizing each other’s agency, addressing power imbalances, and communicating with honesty and clarity about sexual desires and boundaries are all essential elements of consent.
Juggling Fire in the Jungle
Posted on June 17, 2019 byAnnouncing a new digital book to the Community Bookstore By Graham Ellis Juggling Fire in the Jungle chronicles the first thirty years of Bellyacres: an unintentional community of bohemian jugglers who homestead a remote jungle oasis on the Big Island of Hawai’i. The author, Graham Ellis, was the founder of the Village Green Society, Hawaii’s… Read More
