How does it all work?
The key to getting the CommuniKindred project off the ground is incorporating as a co-operative. There are a few different options for how to do that, so we need to discuss them and see which option best suits the needs of the group and what we hope to accomplish. That decision requires research and input from the group.
Incorporating requires us to have a Board of Directors. These people are Members first and foremost, but can act as facilitators in decision making, and as advocates for the group in dealing with matters outside the Membership. They do not act without the Membership's approval. They would be elected, and can be replaced by vote as required.
Leadership structure will be based on needs, and grow to cover different areas as we grow as a community. At first, with a smaller Membership, it will be easier to have simple meetings with the Board of Directors to make decisions. As we acquire resources, build community structures and projects, and have ongoing maintenance requirements, committees can be formed to govern things such as the community farm, property maintencance, etc. The decisions we make as a group will be passed through the process of Consensus Protocol and enacted by the Board of Directors.
This section is still being negotiated
There are three levels of membership, each with their own rights and requirements.
Resident Members are people who live on the land full time, as homesteaders, and their daily lives are affected by decisions made on the land.
Seasonal Members have invested in a plot, but do not use their plot as a year round home. Because they use infrastructure on the property, and own a structure there, they may also be affected by major decisions.
Auxilliary Members are those who have lowest-level investment in the co-operative, and do not have a plot, but can visit and be involved in activities.
Members will be able to vote on decisions that affect them at their membership level, in fairness to those who are most greatly affected.
The intention with this community is to be as egalitarian as possible, with all members having the ability to voice their concerns and opinions, and be part of the decision making process as a group. The process for this will be through Consensus Protocol.
Community By-Laws
A requirement in the process of incorporating as a co-operative is creating and submitting bylaws, which will be followed and upheld by every member. These bylaws are being created as a group, and after they have been implemented, can be amended as necessary through the process of consensus. Input from all members is required in their creation, and feedback is appreciated.
Our Community Bylaws are broken down into sections, the basics of which can be accessed in the following links:
The first section concerns Interpersonal Conduct, and dealing with conflict.
The second section addresses Eco-Philosophy, and our Stewardship of the land.
The third section gives guidelines for our use of the land and our Personal Plots.
This very important legal document will define aspects of incorporation relating to the structure of governance, cost of Membership, costs of land and infrastructure, how costs will be divided, equalization of shares in the co-operative, how Membership can be terminated by the Member or the Co-operative, Members' rights and responsibilities, responsibilities of the Board of Directors, general meetings, voting, and many other areas.
This document is currently being drafted by the Team with input from the Members, to make sure that we reach a fair and reasonable agreement which will be satisfying to all parties, and acceptable to new Members who will come after us.
It will be posted to this site when it is closer to completion. If you have any input into the topics mentioned in the Financial Bylaws above, please contact the team with your ideas, concerns and questions, and we will respond as soon as possible.