| Open Circle has been around (under various names) for about 40 years, living and working in a rather spontaneous non-organization based on personal affinity. We don’t really believe in names (“Open Circle” is the label we are using now to help you find us).
Our overall approach to life is to make it into a game—a challenging, educational, and fun process that changes from week to week, and even day to day. Members often “volunteer” to each other, informally rotating leadership roles depending on the project at hand, the experience of the persons involved, and the prevailing mood of the moment.
We own a large mixed-use building in the historic downtown section of Culpeper, Virginia, and a cabin on 90 acres of forestland bordering the Shenandoah National Park at the base of Old Rag Mountain. These days, we spend most of our time in Culpeper, and one or two days a week at our cabin. We often share communal meals, pool most income, assets, and other resources, grow food with our friends in several different gardens, and operate various consulting businesses. We thrive on challenges to our creativity.
Our cooperative lifestyle is a fertile arena for personal growth. Our goal is artistic tribal living where we foster mutual trust while working together effectively as a team. Our current interests and experiments include sustainable living, green and natural building ideas, organic gardening, social inventions, Nonviolent Communication, music, and fiber arts.
Our day-at-a-time philosophy includes commitment to our community, loyalty to each other, group decision making to coordinate our actions, and generating an ongoing economic surplus. We continue to evolve based on ideas of everyone in the community, which could include you, if you join us. | |
Population Members(adults and children): 4 | Government Decision Making: Other (group decision making based on trust and personal affinity) Leadership Core Group: Yes (Our core group is based on affinity, committment, communication, and actions.) | Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (Most of us share 100% of our income and assets. All members contribute to the pool by taking initiative to find income opportunities. Currently, our members create income by providing services to persons outside the community. We're open to connection on different levels.) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (We expect every member to make labor contributions each according to their resources and abilities. We aim for balance and harmony, rather than a set number of hours.) Regular Fees: No (We expect every member to contribute financially to the pool, each according to their resources and abilities. We aim for a balanced financial relationship, rather than specific fees or dues.) | Land and Buildings Other (We have rural and small town properties.) Area: 90 acres (36.4 hectares) Land Owned By: The community (Individual communitity members legally own the land, but we consider it to be owned by the community.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% Share Community Meals: Nearly all meals Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (We aim for a healthy diet.) Dietary Practice: Other (Dietary practice is up to each individual.) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally (in moderation) Tobacco Use: Prohibited (You must go outside to smoke.) | Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Answer (Everyone is free to follow their own spiritual path.) Educational Style(s): Other (We believe in life-long learning through self-education.) | |
