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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

Intentional Communities

Groups of people who choose to live together in close proximity--often on the same property--with a common purpose, working cooperatively to create a lifestyle that reflects shared core values.

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January 11, 2024

Why I Never Say "Compromise" When Facilitating

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Summary

As a consensus facilitator, I am constantly trying to make it easier for everyone to contribute what they have that's relevant to the conversation. Then I do what I can to establish how those contributions are rooted in a reasonable interpretation of group values (and therefore worthy of taking into account), as distinct from personal preferences. 

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November 9, 2023

Using Sociocracy to Support Harmony and Connection

Summary

Through sociocracy you can design feedback systems so everyone in your community knows what is going on and can be heard on matters that affect them. In this webinar, recorded on December 2022, Sociocracy for All’s Ted Rau and Jerry Koch-Gonzalez share in dept knowledge about using consensus to foster a sense of harmony and connection in your group.

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June 22, 2023

Navigating the Boundary Between Transparency and Discretion

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Summary

Some suggestions for navigating transparency and discretion in conflict in intentional communities.

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February 9, 2023

'News from Nowhere' – Building Communal Life in Venezuela

Summary

What makes communes and their advances so important? To explain their significance, one has to appeal to something that is not immediately visible: social relations and especially relations of production.

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June 9, 2022

Who’s On Today: Life in a Brooklyn Commune

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Summary

In this memoir, Elayne Archer describes daily life in the commune, its challenges, and its rewards. The memories of several commune participants, including three of the children, enrich the memoir and make it a vivid description of the time and of an alternative approach to living and raising children.

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July 19, 2021

Support for Support Teams

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Summary

A suggested structure to address when members need help with meeting basic needs, but find it awkward to ask for it.

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December 12, 2019

Under the "Community Eye"

Summary

Description of a process for addressing situations when members fail to keep community agreements.

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October 7, 2019

The Shadow Side of Community

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Summary

Three personality traits that make it difficult for people to live and work in community with each other.