Vision
Our vision is to create a family-friendly, values-based community where members are committed to helping each other grow, learn, and thrive. We aim to build a community where individual ideas and innovative solutions to social and economic problems can find a source of fertile, community-based germination. We strive to create a home for radical, pragmatic ideas divorced from political affiliation. We understand that the foundation of change lies in individuals, and that creating safe spaces for all people independent of race, gender, income, disability-status, and other internal groupings of humanity is an essential first step in creating a more just society. At Synergy Ecovillage we strive to lead by example, support the personal and professional development of our members, and consciously support each other, young and old, in achieving our true potential.
To this aim, we strive to embody the following values:
Deep Mutual Respect: No community can thrive without deep respect for one another. A key tenant of this respect is an assumption that your fellow man is inherently good, and that their ideas are derived from a place of goodness. This is the basis of all community debates and conversations until proven otherwise. We strive to discuss ideas on their merits, free from ad hominin red herrings. Synergy Ecovillage encourages open communication and safe spaces, where people are free to agree and disagree in mutual respect.
Commitment to Diversity: Synergy Ecovillage recognizes the vital importance of diversity. We know that we are made stronger by divergent thinking, which is most often an outgrowth of diverse experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, disability, socio-economic status, political affiliation, or any other grouping. And we strive to do much more than not discriminate. We aim to provide a truly inclusive community where every member, independent of background, feels heard, respected, and wholly included. We intend for all our members to see Synergy Ecovillage as a place that supports their unique personhood and allows them to thrive.
Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability: Synergy Ecovillage recognizes the supreme importance of our environment. Our planet provides the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the resources we utilize. It also offers beauty and a diversity of life that enriches human existence. These things are in grave danger. Synergy Ecovillage will leave our plot of land better than we bought it. We will not take more from our land than it can sustainably offer, nor will we pollute our land in our individual or collective endeavors. To this aim we are committed to clean energy and sustainable practices both as a community and individually.
Support for Innovation: As a community, we are forward-thinking. We support both individually initiated and group initiated innovation. [This community] strives to be fertile ground for new ideas, and exploratory practices.
Mission Statement
- To build a diverse, family-friendly community in support of the personal and professional development of each member.
- To engage in positive, voluntary community building through open conversations, community events and a commitment to shared resources.
- To commit to environmental stewardship by embracing clean energy, striving for environmental sustainability in all our personal and community activities, and exploring new environmental innovations as they may aid in our stewardship.
- To respect each other’s ideas, privacy, and property.
- To constantly question and evaluate the delicate balance between intentional community and individualism, providing an example of how these two ideals can be embraced synergically.
- To be open to community innovation and change as our member-base evolves and explores new ideas.
Governance
Our governance structure has not yet been determined and will depend on membership size and input. We envision that consensus will be used while the community remains small, but would not be effective at scale