Seeking likemindeds for a prepared community

Interesting study on group dynamics. Some facts are wrong, but some lessons apply.

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/b1db8d4c4e89

Just updating our prospective land situation... I'm amazed that it has not sold (as of 2 days ago. )
Other interested parties were to meet last weekend for a property tour, but apparently didn't show up.
This still leaves us with a chance, if a few more can commit with a pledge. We have enough now, for a downpayment.

We've changed the format a bit to be more attractive to a broader range of folks:
Rather than being completely offgrid, there will be hydro brought in from the fronting 4-season rd., for a cluster of homes who want that, and to facilitate building/shops, etc.
Then others have vast space deeper inwards for their offgrid cabins, composting toilets, more frugal conditions...being further from EMF's , but having access to the beast for desired use...repairs, occasional saw sessions, whatever. As i've mentioned before, there is quite a large area of C rown land beyond, to explore for other reasons.
Facilities to be built will also enable us to host orientation workshops in various fields relating to a new eco-associative life...beyond survival.
Now that spring is here, there will likely be more bidders seeking land, so if you're on the fence , best to make a move now.
Cheers,....villager

Is there anyone besides me, wondering what part of ontario this is in ?
western , central, eastern, semi northern, far north

Is there anyone besides me, wondering what part of ontario this is in ?
western , central, eastern, semi northern, far north

Hi Goldie, i was sure i mentioned it in one of the posts , or in a PM reply :
North of huntsville about 45min drive.

Build your dream, further north, where your gut is telling you it's smartest to do so. I think you'll find your $$$ will stretch further and, although it may take longer, you'll fill your lots with truly dedicated and knowledgeable preppers who can properly assess risk/reward, and the prepper way.

One thing i'd suggest you consider is adding a compound fee to every lot buy-in. If the straight split for the property is $2000 each, you have so many other shared fees to cover - lawyer (and if you get into something this ambitious without a lawyer, you're crazy), electricity run to a central communal building, digging a communal well, private road/pathway construction, storage facilities construction, shared resource acquisition (working livestock, heavy equipment, etc).

You're looking at, at least, $3000 per purchaser to cover those items.

So, your baseline buy-in price should probably be closer to $5000. And even at that, you shouldn't consider bending to allow ANYONE in for free or reduced. It is not a prohibitive amount -

some very valid points. I agree that everyone should have to pay their baseline amount. If they can not afford that, how will they afford the materials to build their
shelter ? They might barter their skills along the way, but if they can't afford the baseline investment, and not afford the materials, then everyone else has to carry that
person.

One problem I continue to see, is that people are all getting older. If SHTF in 15 years , many of the people might be seniors. The younger members might
not like having to carry the hard work load for the seniors. Plus these younger preppers maybe be wanting to have families and babies along the way.
Or are senior couples wanted so that they will eventually die and there will be more room for the younger people ? I wonder if some communities should be
just made up of families with children , so that when they grow older they will have children to pitch in with the hard work.

If each person had a homestead, aren't they essentially all each on their own ?

( I have to wonder if there needs to be a different type of compound setup for seniors or singles , where it is a less homestead and more a big connected
rectangular condo style, with all the gardens, livestock etc, common in the center of the complex ,
ok a senior complex but filled with preppers, and less on their own , more helping each other . ... something for a topic in another thread )

Before launching the proposed eco-village scenario, and when i was still considering staying around gta, a friend and i had already worked out in principle an alternative "retirement" community.
In part it was in anticipation of our parents' and our own progress toward that eventual time....not so far off. 🙂
We couldn't see anything currently provided in society like what we imagined was possible, nor as affordable as we could model ourselves.
As years went by, the only viable/affordable, rural alternative picture took shape, and includes a vision of mixed ages/genders...all based in an agreement of collaboration around certain sustainable parameters.(and of course there will be more input from all participants, flavouring the stew )
In our view, the "individual domain" on the commonly-shared landbase is indeed a mini-homestead....but with the self-determined association with any or all of the others in the village, lots of space in-between..with all the advantages nearby of co-help/friendship which happens with natural selectivity over time.
It is such an elaborated cluster/compound which i had in mind for those who choose to have it easier with hydro, etc.
Others can feel free to do it more primitively, as space allows, and as it complements their chosen tasks or business in the context of the whole village.
Virtually anything is possible ...the result of living in this way all helping everyone to become prepared even more effectively...as long as there is sufficient demonstrated willingness to address any issues along the way in a co-creative manner....becoming mature despite our ages. 🙂
Pardon me if i repeat myself, as i have been sharing this in more detail with various groups over years, and sometimes i lose track of what was said and when/to whom.
If this should be in another topic/thread who will do it ?

So you are actually making a pioneer village ? ( Is that where you got your name Villager )

Yes, "villaging" has been, and is, the intention....although not necessarily pioneering in the sense of Black Creek Pioneer village replication, but pioneering in eco-alternatives within a dynamic social structure. There are other precedents out there, and i've been involved in a few.

Is it similar to the Amish ?

Not much. There is no religious component but that which each person might bring, if any...respected, but not to be promulgated without consent , nor to be a directional implement.
It is about the intent of harmonious conduct within the broad , inclusive, and modern parameters outlined, while retaining whatever simplicity proves viable...the choice of each member according to their current highest vision .
There is a fun and dynamic dialog involved as we dis-cover why we would live the way we would and do, and how our values are formed.

So are all the people that you have been trying to recruit in the know as to this "system basis" you describe? I understand the motivation you have in seeking such a Utopia existence but recruiting would even be tougher with such guidelines. Everyone has their own definition of group parameters and only time will expose their true moral compass values. Religions and cults alike, both define expected rules that must be followed to be a member of their society. Just because you haven't set a definite line where each starts doesn't make such issues go away. Even the mention of such a belief would likely make many refuse to participate further.

I too try to see where each member in this forum stands on various issues, through reading their comments and then presenting my own perspective. Many claim one side on this thread and then another on that thread. And then maybe I appear to be the same to others when reading my comments. So I therefore try explain this as "I once stood on that side of the fence"(regarding this issue) and "this is why I now stand on this side because"....and so on! If you commit to such a stand, you must work hard to present it completely so as to try to remove doubt in the readers mind as to your justifications. A rough concept cannot be your only defense or you will surely lose.

Yes, they are,individually/variably ...more than it's possible via this forum. The details of criteria and parameters are documented elsewhere, to the point required for initial formation/critical mass... from which the next-stage-formed group then determines its further elaboration, and determines its rate of successful interpretation/implementation by the spirit of their interaction.

The main issue of hesitation for most is the location, as i've said....those same most not realizing the greater surge of GTA urbanites in exodus later. Also a factor: the fewer committed there are, the higher the investment requirement for each. That is the easiest part, with will and vision.

In any case, out of principle, i can only act/speak on the level of sincere response/agreement which is offered. I can only present the possibilities/potential and the factors which are conducive for an organic development,... not really a "system basis." (if it were not for this pending land opportunity which would be a great pity to lose for such a project, i wouldn't be so "vocal" here.) I sensed there might be some interest here beyond survival for its own sake.

I'm not quite sure of your meaning with the inference of religion and cults. Is that what you're looking for, or do you equate parameters with "expected rules", and thereby automatically one of "those?"
I don't use the term Utopia , nor is "recruiting" an apt term for this. I'm presenting opportunity for different choices for different (unknown) outcomes...hopefully tickling a vision of the possible which we may have longed for when younger.

I've done a lot of "hard work", and all choosing to be involved have the same requirement for themselves. One can only remove doubt for and by oneself.

There is nothing to defend, ...only to clarify, to the degree of perception which is creatively expressed in return. One does not build by contentions and adversarial assumptions. The completeness is evident to the degree of co-creative dialog....building on points of perceived agreement, with understood prerogative to discover new aspects of what we might think now are agreements, and can openly revise in a forum of collective wisdom.

What do you sense is possible, without having a complete picture beforehand... ( in point form 🙂 ?

regards,....villager

I think that you have to have a few persons involved in this endevour and then pool their thoughts on what basic rules there needs be applied to ensure continued unity. Caution must used continually in approach of any regulation and all must consider it a collaboration throughout this process. Alienation can occur over even tiny details and this is always the tricky part for any group.

Maybe only legal rules need be discussed until folks get better acquainted. The problem you face is that folks will likely have to commit before the road to knowing one's neighbour can be worked upon. The part where one only has to put out $2000 should be pretty enticing to anyone. To be surrounded by fellow preppers can work both to the good and bad in one's perspective. Getting down to the meat of the community is what will truly sell this IMO.

Since you have a location in mind, you have to sell it. Presentation is everything. What you visualize, you must present in imagery such as a new district development project presents a sign showing a 3D picture to entice passersby. I think it was Goldie and Mrs Prep mentioned building layout, garden requirements in the perfect retreat thread....

- design a image along this using your given terrain as a template.
- create progression pics showing stage1, stage 2, etc., as community evolves
- earlybirds get in on being more centralized and therefore better protected by neighbours(your sales pitch)
- show Stage 1 as maybe shared water and sewer to reduce overhead costs
- early birds get prime real estate selection
- show Stage 2 with community gardens,etc.
- show Stage 3 with community center for get togethers
- promote possible barn building party approach(like the Mennonites do) for all major structures as a social bonding tool

I'm out of ideas for now but these are things that would make me want to join up...good neighbours, good friends all in one package!

Knuckle,
I think "this" pioneer village is 30,000 to join for a stake of virgin land of 1/4 acre

2,000 was another idea
and 2,000 + 3000common fees = 5,000 was another idea

Villager can correct me on this ?

sorry , i couldn't get the right combo of italics and bold print, etc.....villager.. have to get to work now.

I think that you have to have a few persons involved in this endevour and then pool their thoughts on what basic rules there needs be applied to ensure continued unity. Caution must used continually in approach of any regulation and all must consider it a collaboration throughout this process. Alienation can occur over even tiny details and this is always the tricky part for any group.

Yes, this has been the case in order to get to this point of collected criteria...which essentially/ultimately includes any affordable features necessary to create/maintain a prepared ecommunity. The specifics will be determined cautiously when we're actually onsite, as it takes considerable time to assess all the enviro/impacts of human presence/plans before actually building in most areas.Similarly with personal or common building/gardening; the challenging but spacious terrain dictates locations and what is needed to mitigate impacts on down-flow...including existing wildlife habitat...as well as pre-existing lines of possible severance ...quite complex.

Maybe only legal rules need be discussed until folks get better acquainted. The problem you face is that folks will likely have to commit before the road to knowing one's neighbour can be worked upon. The part where one only has to put out $2000 should be pretty enticing to anyone. To be surrounded by fellow preppers can work both to the good and bad in one's perspective. Getting down to the meat of the community is what will truly sell this IMO.

The legal rules are almost all in place, yet still debatable when/if a prospective shareholder sees something which may have been missed, and presents substantive reasons for review.In many cases such issues have already been hashed thru ...in the overall context of the proposed vision/ criteria.
Anything subsequent to that which would insinuate an incompatible direction , would be obvious/non-starter as far as using a lot of time to consider.If something is that divergent, it is best pursued by those who espouse its proclaimed features in their independent direction.
We are working on a more appealing presentation....pending more pics to come after another visit before leaves are full.
I think the 2k figure was not my posting.

Since you have a location in mind, you have to sell it. Presentation is everything. What you visualize, you must present in imagery such as a new district development project presents a sign showing a 3D picture to entice passersby. I think it was Goldie and Mrs Prep mentioned building layout, garden requirements in the perfect retreat thread....

- design a image along this using your given terrain as a template.
- create progression pics showing stage1, stage 2, etc., as community evolves
- earlybirds get in on being more centralized and therefore better protected by neighbours(your sales pitch)
- show Stage 1 as maybe shared water and sewer to reduce overhead costs
- early birds get prime real estate selection
- show Stage 2 with community gardens,etc.
- show Stage 3 with community center for get togethers
- promote possible barn building party approach(like the Mennonites do) for all major structures as a social bonding tool

I'm out of ideas for now but these are things that would make me want to join up...good neighbours, good friends all in one package!

Yes, all great stuff/suggestions, and mostly long-considered (and in other communities). Much is specific terrain-site dependent, where permaculture is concerned, and alternatives to "sewage" and water harvesting. All is subject to budget, and pre-contingencies in place before budget allows.
These are all valid perspectives, and as we explore them, towards the point of acquiring sufficient funds, we rightly disclose our intentions and state potential perceived dealbreakers.
Maybe folks can list some ? even if they're the usual... loud music? use headphones!, You (all) want to bring your family dog(s) ? ( where wolves and bear roam and urbanized yapping is worse than loud music .? etc....... 🙂