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Forming Formed: 2005
Convergence Institute (working name)
Oakland/Berkeley, California,
United States
 Do you want to change the world and live with others that do?
The Convergence Institute for Essential Change is still mainly an idea, but it is becoming a reality, with loan commitments of over $300,000 toward a down payment on a facility in the $750,000 to $2 million range.
The Institute is a nonprofit with the mission of promoting dialog between progressive traditions and building coalitions between progressive movements. We do this both for its own sake and with the hope of groping our way towards a new consensus on the left about long-term vision and short-term strategy.
To this end, we are building a diverse residential community of activists, scholars, and professionals who want to have such conversations with each other and promote them in the wider community, support each other, and share meals and good times. We aim for at least six members initially, preferably 8 to 12.
We will create an attractive home, with furniture that matches, art on the walls, a hot tub, etc.; transit-accessible; and with significant common space for meals, meetings, classes and such. Rents will cover costs over the life of the mortgage, and be roughly market rate. We're exploring options for those who wish to build equity as well.
Besides looking for space and exploring financing options, we're hosting a series of dinner parties (and other events) to bring together activists and scholars from diverse traditions. We hope to become better known, recruit a diverse organizing core, serve our mission, and have great conversations over good home-cooked food.
As of 6/06 we are three: a lawyer doing sustainability activism and research, a mediator and diversity educator taking a break to get a Masters at Berkeley, and an event planner/organizer especially interested in children's issues and in the practical aspects of the project. Two are white and one is Native American; two are bisexual and one is straight; two are females and one is male. We are affirmatively seeking diversity in our organizing core.
We are looking for activists and activist scholars—collaborators who will work to support the mission and make this happen, whether or not you want to live there. People working on economic or racial/ethnic justice at any scale are especially welcome.
For our evolving vision statement and more information, write to hoerner@redefiningprogress.org or golden_c_turtle@yahoo.com. Forward this freely.
 
Contact:
Andrew Hoerner
1904 Franklin St, Suite 600
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: 510-507-4820
Email This Community!
Former/Other Names: Activist House
Last Updated:6/18/2006
 
Visitors Accepted
 (Soon, I hope.)
Visitor Process: Call or email us.
Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:
No Answer Provided
Population
Members(adults and children):
2
Non-member Residents:
(We may or may not have non-member residents.)
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(Once fully formed, consensus with some modifications to make it looser and faster.)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
No
(The Board will include residents and non-residents.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(Possibly some contribution to improving property, if the group or individual members are willing.)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(House job, cook a meal, monthly meeting, contribute to mission.)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
No
(Rental & such only.)
Land and Buildings
Urban
Number of Residences:
1
Food, etc.
Share Community Meals:
2-5 times/week
(Hope to have regular meal plan. Probably set it up so that you are expected to share costs, but no requirement to attend.)
Dietary Practice:
(All shared meals would have a vegitarian option.)
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
(Prohibited indoors.)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
 
 


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