The membership process

is like getting married and starting a new business venture.

Both at the same time.  

With several people, at once. 

 

A small village like ours has a number of advantages and risks

 that are unique in comparison to the larger cohousing complexes. 

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On the one hand, 

a small collection of kindred spirits will afford a greater potential

for deep intimate connections, coming to know and trust

each and every member like family.

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On the other hand,

having such a compact social structure

means that if one person becomes unhappy or has a significant problem,

everyone else will become aware of it, and is likely to be affected by it

in some way, pretty quickly.

It is because of this that we take great care in getting to know each other

in several different ways, on several different levels,

before making a full commitment to join together.  

 

Some of the ways that we do this are through becoming involved

in increasingly progressive stages:

 

The first can be thought of as an "Information Stage"

  

Attending our tours

enables you to ask any questions that arise

and learn about details of the project

in a comprehensive way from the start.

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Through joining our Meetup Group and sharing in experiences like

attending meetings, pot-lucks, game and talent nights,

holiday celebrations, work parties and regional excursions

we interact together in various different ways,

and get to see each other in different lights. 

 

People interested in the project are strongly encouraged

to keep in touch on a daily basis

by joining our  interactive FaceBook group   

and post pictures, videos, questions and comments. 

 

 Also, purchasing, reading

and participating in a "Creating A Life Together"

book discussion

shows a willingness to understand, and eventually share,

certain responsibilities of creating a venture like this.

 

Once folks want to establish more personal involvement,

they may enter an "Exploration Stage".

 

Here is when you will be invited to planning meetings of interest,

cooperative processing sessions, and begin to participate in decision making. 

It is at this stage where you will start to arrange Ingenium group events and leisure time activities. 

An exciting part of this stage is exploring your prospective living space options.   

 

At this time you would be expected to either initiate and/or join

at least one specific task group,

and volunteer ten hours of work on the land.  

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Once some time and experience is formed between us at this level,

interested folks can enter a "Prospective Stage".

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A first step at this stage will be arranging for a week-long visit.

This offers the prospective member an Ingenium "immersion",

and we can each experience what it will be like to

communicate, work and play together on a day-to-day basis.

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Next, we'll start the formal application process. 

Questions about your personal history, lifestyle, long-term aspirations,

and how you can contribute will be clarified;

certain financial information will need to be disclosed;

and a list of references, which will be checked, would need to be supplied.  

The application process is intended to be "reciprocal",

meaning that each prospective member will have a chance

to view all other established members information.

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Then, a formal contract is signed, a rental deposit will be collected,

and you can begin a preliminary, or "trial" residential period on the land. 

 

After that, we would check-in with an interpersonal assessment,

and you would be considered a bona-fide, Permanent Member of Ingenium!

 

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So there you have it!  

Here are the steps to integrate

into the Ingenium Expressive Arts Village project.

In these ways we create together the chance to form

a solid assurance that each of us is an optimal fit together,
and begin growing mutually deep and fulfilling connections.

 

Come! Visit! See what it's all about.

We look forward to a uniquely rewarding process

of interpersonal discovery!

 

More About Membership