Hundredfold Farm Cohousing Community
"a place to grow"
How To Become A Member Of The Hundredfold Farm Cohousing Community
Joining
any intentional community is a decision that requires careful thought
and soul-searching. Each community is different, but all share characteristics
of complex interweaving of ideas and personalities. Participation
in an intentional community will forever change your life. Additionally,
you will influence the lives of others in that community. Therefore,
the members of the Hundredfold Farm Cohousing Community have developed
the following pathway for those of you who are interested in exploring
the possibility of joining us. The intent of the process described
below is to allow you the time to learn about us, for us to learn
about you, and for you to share in our process.
Newcomer: Newcomers are folks who have contacted us for information. They may or may not ultimately become full-fledged members someday. For now, they would just like to know more about us, and to be kept up-to-date regarding the activities of our community.
To be considered a Newcomer you must provide us:
- Your name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address
- A brief description of what “community” means to you, and what it is about Hundredfold Farm that interests you
In return, we will provide you:
- An orientation and tour of Hundredfold Farm
Friend: Friends are those folks who are taking the first steps toward becoming members of the Hundredfold Farm Community.
To be considered a Friend you must provide us:
- A brief written biography of the individuals in your household
In return, we will provide you:
- An orientation session prior to a general gathering
- Introduction to all current members of our community
- An open invitation to our future gatherings and events
- An opportunity to participate in all discussions at our gatherings
- Access to our “invitation only”email list serve and archive
- A personal Hundredfold mentor who will help guide you along our membership pathway
Active Friend: Active Friends are folks who are actively contributing to our discussions and participating in the work required to create and maintain our community. This work may include such things as garden and tree farm labor, making community dinner, and committee participation. At this point, an individual or household is moving toward becoming a Member of the Hundredfold Farm Community Owners Association.
To be considered an Active Friend you must provide us:
- Completed copies of all relevant questionnaires
- Completed confidential Hundredfold Farm Personal Financial Statement for those seriously contemplating becoming Members
- A plan for paying for your home
- Contribution of significant time and energy to our community
In return, we will provide you:
- A blank copy of relevant membership questionnaires, and the questionnaire results of the present members once you have submitted your completed questionnaires
- Copies of our legal documents (e.g., Joint Venture Agreement, Condominium Agreement)
- Participation in all discussions and consensus processes, but you’ll not be allowed to block consensus
Member: Members are folks who have decided to join the Hundredfold Farm Community Owners Association. In doing so they have made the necessary personal, emotional, and financial commitments to the community.
To be considered a Member you must provide us:
- Attendance at a meeting with the Clearness Committee
- A deposit of $20,000 towards the purchase of a lot (share)
- Your signature on all relevant legal documents
In return, we will provide you:
- The right to become a signatory of the Hundredfold Farm Community Owners Association and other documents as appropriate
- All rights, privileges and obligations as defined by the Condominium Agreement, and/or other legal documentation
- Stakeholder status in all processes and decision-making
- One heck of a welcoming party
Hundredfold Farm has borrowed the concept of “clearness” from the Religious Society of Friends. The term refers to an ad hoc group that is formed to help members and prospective members facing major decisions. The Clearness Committee is meant to offer loving guidance and help in considering a life change. The community members, together with the person seeking clearness, choose the committee, often with one person (the personal mentor) who is especially close to the person seeking clearness. In meeting with prospective members, the Clearness Committee seeks to ascertain the person’s knowledge and acceptance of the principles and practices of Hundredfold Farm, and to explain the responsibilities and opportunities inherent in membership. Are we right for each other? Do we all know as much as we can about issues that will affect all of us once this decision is made?
Hundredfold Farm uses clearness not as an exclusion device (such as condominium members voting to accept or exclude), but as a way to achieve clarity among the existing members and prospective members.