|
Email:
Yahoo Messenger: uevn MSN Messenger: uevn AIM Messenger: uevnf
ICQ: 114970838
email us
Phones: (593) 99-581-219 (593) 91-847-091 USA Fax: 1-253-595-6153 USA: 1-305-515-8137
|
|
an intentional community in south Ecuador |
|
FAQ IV |
|
Below you will find a list of questions and our answer that we think will be useful to you as a comparison list when searching for an intentional community to join…
Internal RulesWhat internal contract do members agree to observe? We have four contracts that all members must sign and agree to, email us for copies of them.
Are most members satisfied with rules? Yes we are, no rules = no order, and we do like a sense of order.
Have there been basic changes in rules since the community was established? Yes, we are in the process of putting them all in writing for all new and present members to sign and agree to. One of our flaws has been not having contractual agreements signed by all members.
How are decisions which affect the whole community arrived at? By consensus of all full-time active members.
Is there provision for paying back original equity to members who withdraw from community? Yes, you may sell your share to an active member.
FinancingHow was it financed, land-holding to begin with? Personal savings.
What was the initial joining cost to each person? Initially it was $6,500, which we have raised to $15,000 and we may lower in the future or waive it all together as our resources permit. Presently we are selling lots—prices start at $22,500 for more details visit www.EcoVenusCountryClub.com In addition the lot cost you will need to build your own house.
What costs are borne monthly by community as a whole; taxes, loan repayments, electricity, salaries, wages, community telephone, etc.? Presently we pay less than $1 in real estate taxes per month, we have NO loans, electricity varies from $50-200 per month depending on irrigation pumps use, we see no need to pay salaries/wages in the future, once we grow enough in numbers, though we presently do hire a few workers, telephone and Internet is our single largest expenses.
Does the community have financial resources, which allow it to meet continued costs or to undertake capital improvements? No.
What are sources of these funds? N/A
Are finances sufficient to finance planned capital improvements? No.
How are required funds raised? External work or savings. We plan to finish all infrastructures with the contribution of new members. There are several areas where members may work to raise funds, such as agriculture, carpentry, consulting and any activity that can be done over the Internet.
Food
What are the community's food requirements? $30-50 per person / per month, in order to have a larger variety it is necessary to buy such items as, oils, nuts, grains, spices, fruits, meats, soaps, etc. and those that are not in season or that we chose not to plant/grow.
Food produced on community's land? Approximately the equivalent of $80-150 per person / per month. This varies depending on how much work we put into the agriculture.
Co-operative exchange with neighboring communal groups or by purchase through ordinary commercial channels? Commercial channels.
Do you aim for greater self-sufficiency in food? YES!
Work
What enterprises are carried out by members of the community other than those designed to meet community's own needs for food, clothing, housing, furniture, etc.? Real estate investment and consulting.
Is the enterprise designed as a separate co-operative, company or personal venture with one or more community members? Company and personal.
What are the main sources of cash income for individual members of your community? Savings, real-estate investments, consulting.
Is cash income supplemented by barter or by payment for labor in kind? No.
How many members of the community are on the dole (welfare)? None.
Philosophy/Ideology
What goals and aspirations led to the founding of the community? The need for a community with more flexibility in all aspect related to money, non-religious, long-term self-sufficiency and sustainability.
How far does the community's present lifestyle fulfill those aspirations? 100%
Does your community have shared religious or spiritual beliefs and practices? NO!
How would you describe the philosophy underlying the origination of the community? To bring together a group of like open-minded individuals.
In your community what aspects of daily living are arranged on communal basis? e.g. bathing facilities, laundry , cooking space, sleeping, etc. Bathing, laundry, cooking, eating and entertainment area are shared in common. Sleeping is in private rooms.
Is there a specific format for conflict resolution? No, since we have not had the need yet, but we have one in mind and we will put it into practice hopefully before the need arrives.
What is the distribution of power? (governing or anarchistic) None since we are too small. Our goal is by consensus, with the leadership of 1-3 people, rotated every 6-12 months.
Salient Characteristics of Ideology
Concern to maximize control by individuals over their own lives – We like members to be as free as possible as long as they do not interfere with the happiness of others and the overall good of the community, like involving themselves with alcoholics, drug abusers, criminals and individuals that are not acceptable to the majority of the community members.
Anti-repressive, Dionysian impulse – We consider ourselves quite modern and open-minded. We do not seek running away from technology, what we do seek is more proper use of it vs. no use. Modern technologies are not the problem. The problems arrive on how we choose to use them.
Concern for bodily health – We are very concerned about members’ health, this is why we do not want people who are addicted to smoking, alcohol, drugs, junk food or any practice that is conductive to a poor health like a no activity sedentary lifestyle.
Environmentalist ecological outlook - We are very concerned about our environment and how to improve it. This you may see by the work we’ve been doing in our foundation. See: www.condorhuana.org
Desire to restore the sacred or mysterious or the transcendent – There is always room for improvement… Some of us do study a lot of Gnostic and Esoteric material.
Ideology - Health and bodily well being
Psycho-social growth and personal fulfillment – It is quite important to us that all members make an effort to better themselves on a daily basis.
Religion, spirituality, magic – Though we do not practice any religion, we do support those who seek spiritual and magic knowledge.
Networking – We do seek working together as a team.
Small-scale alternative technologies – At the present time we only have a few electrical solar panels and water solar panels. We are open to more alternative technologies.
Practical skills in food production and housing - There is room for improvement.
Rural intentional communities want to create alternative lifestyle - Yes, needless to say we are rural and we are creating an alternative lifestyle.
Home Building
At the design stage, how does one get necessary government permit to build? No permits whatsoever are needed.
Are locally available materials used in building? Yes, or you can buy in the nearby town or city.
Children
Is the community open to singles or families with children? Yes, but we will consider each case individually, presently parents must be able to provide for all the children’s needs, i.e. clothing, education, medical, etc. We prefer children above age 5. Parents must make their visitor period with their children in order to be accepted for membership.
What are the rules about new children? We prefer no new children. There are one too many in the world already. All new pregnancies must be approved by the community. IDEALLY we do not want more than one child per adult. We expect all adults practice birth control.
If your finances (or the community’s as it grows) permit you to create a quality child, we would not oppose if you even adopt a few, but only if you have ALL the means to do it properly.
Home schooling? We favor home schooling.
Are there alternative education schools? Yes there is one for grades 1-6.
Universities? There are two main universities in Loja, UTPL and UNL and a few other smaller ones.
Any other links I should read? Yes…
Visiting Rules for Prospective Members
Utopian EcoVillage Network Federation FAQ
Click on the left panel “Articles”
|
