A call to this generation, and the next
As summer draws to a close, we have begun a membership drive -- after months of "getting ready" to build, we find ourselves "ready", and looking to gather a diverse community around a common investment of time, money and experience. During the month of October we focus on local schools, where our children or our children's friends are taught to navigate an American Life. As these groups hold similar values and goals, we hope to find some younger families, who would relish the thought of growing up (and growing old!) is a village such as ours.
Here's copy sent to the River Valley Charter School, a great learning community built by a few local families and founded on Montessori principals, going strong and growing larger every day:
Odonata Ecovillage invites you to “Build Your Future”
At RVCS we know the power of shared vision: get a few folks together with the right idea, and you have community; when you have community, you can build a School. For two and a half years, the Odonata Ecovillage community has been laying the foundation for a local collaborative housing project, creating the legal structures and group processes that will allow us to buy land and build homes, and attracting the experienced and visionary consultants and advisors who can help us manifest that dream.
The African adage, “It takes a village to raise a child” is particularly true, if you as a parent want to be supported in the process as well. This month we invite families of school-age children to explore the advantages and opportunities found in a residential neighborhood, where villagers share common values: low-energy building (near-zero heating costs, in New England!), collaborative financing, appropriately shared resources (not a commune, folks), and a commitment to (re-)learning the art of living in community. There is so much we can do, when the effort is spread across the shoulders of community, instead of resting completely on those of the nuclear family.
Odonata is ready to buy land! And you can be part of the team that shapes the houses and “Builds a Future”. Join us at our next Exploring Members meeting, which will take place on Sunday, October 19th, from 2 to 5pm at the West Newbury residence of Board member Jacalyn Bennett. Bring your good ideas, your questions, and your desire to live more simply and fully: we’re delighted to explain what we have accomplished so far, and share the road ahead. Childcare provided – parents not divided!
Please visit our website at odonatavillage.org, or drop us an email at Voice@OdonataVillage.org to let us know you will be joining us (at least for the afternoon).