Values, Principles, and Aspirations

Values

Values are the core of our community. They represent the aspect we already practice and believe. Values are what makes us unique and define who we are as a group. Anyone who spends time with us should be able to identify these aspects in our community.

Commitment to each other

Our relationships to each other are the heart of this community and we tend them consistently and intentionally. We see each other as a chosen family. We spend time together and prioritize connection with one another, we support each other and do acts of service for each other. We commit to a shared future together and love each other through conflict and complexity. We witness each other’s growth and embrace emerging versions of one another. We show up mentally, emotionally and physically when we are gathering together for meetings, events, and informal hangs. We are brave and vulnerable with each other and hold each other gently with trust.

Abundant kitchen

Food is a powerful tool for connection and pleasure and we embrace this wholeheartedly with a giving spirit. We believe in the ability to make food choices without judgement. We prioritize everyone getting the food they need and enjoy. We nourish our bodies and souls by providing sincerely from our abundance to each other and any guests who come through our door.

Inviting community in

We prioritize an open door and an inviting community spirit to everyone regardless of age, sexuality, gender, race, ability, or body type. We host events, gather often in small or large format and regularly host daytime and overnight guests. We are excited by the idea that our broader community feels at home in our space.

Sharing

We live interdependently by sharing our time, space, knowledge and resources with one another. We believe it’s important to be a support system for one another. This comes from a deep desire to lift one another up and share joyfully. We share our boundaries clearly and have respect for each other’s boundaries.

Fostering good vibes

Quality of life and joy are important to us! It’s not all so serious! We cultivate comfort and coziness. We give space to spontaneity, silliness and whimsy. We revel in beauty and creativity. We dance! We sing! We play! We laugh! We snuggle up and read books. We drink tea. We speak softly and discover each other’s significance.

Principles

Principles are the core tools we use to operate as a community. They represent commitments to how we want to navigate living together.

Intentional Communication

We practice kindness, empathy, honesty, and compassion when we communicate with each other. We proactively address conflict and work together for clarity and understanding. We offer each other grace and approach differences with curiosity. We welcome and embrace multiple forms and modes of communication.

Consensus

We make sure that everyone agrees to group decisions before moving forward. We have a consensus process to help with decision making.

Structures

We use structure to organize our shared time and responsibilities, including regular meetings, a chore system, and shared documents and calendars. We embed an equity focus and anti-oppressive practices into our structures to address societal harm.

Flexibility

We try new things and agree to processes even if they take us out of our comfort zone. We balance consistency with a willingness to experiment. We commit to compromise when we can feel the collective joy it can generate. We are conscientious of nuance and we look to each situation with an open mind and self awareness.

Accountability

We hold ourselves and each other accountable to group agreements. If we notice someone is not meeting agreements we raise the issue and work together towards resolution.

Aspirations

Aspirations describe the ways we want our community to be. They are the goals we are working towards and the things we believe in, but that we need to build towards or practice more.

Neighborhood resource

We aspire to be a resource for our neighbors, building and nurturing relationships, offering a gathering place, and extending support in case of hard times or disasters. We want to give and receive mutual aid in the form of resources and skills.

Anti-oppressive culture

We practice anti-oppressive behavior and work on building a shared analysis. We recognize this work as ongoing. We aspire to make a space that is inviting to a wide array of folks, including of various races, ages, sexualities, genders, abilities, body types, and more. We courageously interrupt oppression when we encounter it.

Sustainability

We aspire to reduce our impact on the planet by making ecological choices in our personal and communal purchases, energy use, and practices. We are working to grow more of our own food and collect more rain water. We commit to continue learning about how to improve our sustainability practices.

Plentiful garden

We aspire to collaborate in an inviting garden full of blooms, bees, and bounty to be in harmony with the nature around us, and a welcoming spot where we can relax and work together.

Shared learning

We aspire to learn together and from one another. We welcome opportunities for sharing advice and receiving feedback. We challenge each other and call each other in when appropriate.

Aesthetics

We aspire to cultivate a space that is thoughtfully organized, full of plants and local artwork. We are creating a cohesive, beautiful setting that feels meaningful to everyone who lives here.

Collectivism

We aspire to promote a collective and cooperative culture and shift the paradigm for ourselves and for those around us. We believe a cooperative culture is key to our collective well being and that hyper individualism harms us. We actively create and uplift systems and ideologies that center the collective and deconstruct individualism within ourselves and in how we relate to our broader community.

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