Intentional Communities - A Project of the FIC
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Forming Formed: 2005
Convergence Institute (working name)
Oakland/Berkeley, California,
United States
 Dear Folks--
Do you want to change the world, & 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 $750K to $2 mil. range.
The Institute is a nonprofit with the mission of promoting dialog between progressive traditions & coalition between progressive movements. We do this both for its own sake & with the hope of groping our way towards a new consensus on the Left about long-term vision & short-term strategy.
To this end, we are building a diverse residential community of progressive activists, scholars, & professionals who want to have such conversations with each other & promote them in the wider community, support each other, & share meals & good times. We aim for at least 6 adults initially, preferably 8 to 12, & maybe children too.
We will create an attractive home for grown-ups, with furniture that matches, art on the walls, a hot tub, etc., transit-accessible, with significant common space for meals, meetings, classes & such. Rents will cover costs over the life of the mortgage, & be roughly market rate. We're exploring options for those who wish to build equity as well.
Besides looking for space & exploring financing options, we're hosting a series of dinner parties (& other events) to bring together activists & scholars from diverse traditions. We hope to become better known, recruit a diverse organizing core, serve our mission & have great conversations over good home-cooked food.
As of 6/06 we are 3: a lawyer doing sustainability activism & research, a mediator & diversity educator taking a break to get a Masters at Berkeley, & an event planner/organizer especially interested in children's issues & in the practical aspects of the project. 2 are white, 1 Native American; 2 are bisexual, 1 straight; 2F, 1M. Affirmatively seeking diversity in our organizing core.
Looking for activists & activist scholars; collaborators who will work to support the mission & make this happen, whether or not you want to live there. People working on economic or racial/ethnic justice at any scale especially welcome.
For our evolving Vision Statement & more info, write hoerner@redefiningprogress.org or golden_c_turtle@yahoo.com. Forward this freely.
Peace, Andrew
 
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 e-mail us.
Population
Adult Members:
2
(6-12 target, we hope.)
Child Members:
(Children welcome)
Non-member Residents:
(We may or may not have non-member residents.)
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Age Focus:
No Focus
Age Restrictions:
No
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
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
(Welcoming.)
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
 
 


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