Community accordance

February 2007

Description

Ecovila Cunha is an ecovillage under development near the town of Cunha, São Paulo, Brasil.  The land consists of 15 alquieres (approx. 36 hectares or 90 acres) on the Rio Manso, a small, swift-flowing river.  It includes meadows and forest, an orchard of 600 pear and plum trees, several springs, a pond, and a large seven-room stone house.

Our vision

We are an intentional community of people who want to explore the challenge of living in ways that are materially sufficient, socially and ecologically responsible, and satisfying to the soul.  As a rural community, we are experimenting with permaculture as a sustainable land management practice.  We are also developing the skills of community: sharing, responsibility, compassion, communication, consensus building, conflict transformation, appreciation of diversity, and love.  We believe that these skills are necessary to bring the larger society to sustainability and sufficiency, and we want to learn them to the best of our ability.

Goals

We intend to develop the land for a number of uses, including:

·      Permanent, seasonal and short-term residence
·      A teaching and learning center for ecological, social and spiritual development
·      A retreat center for personal growth
·      A healing center
·      Reforestation and ecological restoration
·      Sustainable agriculture and agro-forestry
·      A private ecological reserve (RPPN)

Types of Villagers

People participating in Ecovila Cunha (members and non-members) are called Villagers.  Ecovila Cunha has two levels of membership: Members and Associate Members. Non-member relationships include Friends and Guests.  Each relationship has specific requirements, responsibilities and privileges. (See Types of Villagers)

Ownership

The land and property of Ecovila Cunha is owned by Ecovila Plantas e Alimentos Naturais, Cia. Ltda., a Brazilian companhia limitada (similar to an limited liability company in the USA).  The Brazilian members of the ecovillage own shares of the Cia. Ltda. proportional to their investment.

Shambala Ecovillage LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in New Mexico USA, owns a large share of the Cia. Ltda.  The US members of the ecovillage own shares of the LLC, and through it, shares of the Cia. Ltda.  (See Ownership structure)

In addition to the land and buildings, the community may also purchase vehicles, tools, furniture, equipment, supplies, etc. which will be owned in common through the Cia. Ltda.

Shares, fees and labor contributions

Villagers (Members, Associate Members, Friends and Guests) provide the money and labor required to operate and maintain Ecovila Cunha, including monthly fees, daily use fees and labor contributions. (See Shares, fees and labor)

Governance

Three groups with overlapping membership oversee the affairs of Ecovila Cunha: the Ecovillage Council, the Cia. Ltda. Board, and the LLC Board.  (See Governance)

Decisions will be made by consensus.  All Members and Associate Members will receive training in using consensus within one year of the adoption of this Community Accordance.

The Ecovillage Council will meet at least once a year in Cunha.  At other times, communication and decision-making will be conducted via a private website at http://www.communityzero.com/ecovilacunha, an email listeserv, telephone and Skype. 

The Ecovillage Council will create committees to make decisions on particular aspects of the community (e.g., reforestation or retreat center operations).  In addition, the community may designate one or a few members to implement decisions made by the entire community, and may select a community coordinator to oversee administrative tasks (paying bills, maintaining records, etc.) and to facilitate communication, networking and publicity.

Ecovillage planning and development

The Ecovillage Council will develop a master plan for the ecovillage incorporating the eight levels of sustainability.  The plan will include zoning for residential, business/nonprofit operations, agriculture/agroforestry, and ecological preservation/restoration, as well as ecological guidelines for development of the ecovillage.  The Ecovillage Council will create a timeline for ecovillage development, including activities that build the human community.

Living at and visiting the ecovillage

Members and Associate Members are welcome to live at or visit the ecovillage at any time.  They are responsible for informing other community members in advance of their plans to be at the ecovillage. (A simple process will be created to do this).  Friends and Guests are welcome to live at or visit the ecovillage under the conditions described in Types of Villagers.

All Villagers will pay a small daily use fee to help defray utilities, maintenance, repairs, taxes and other ongoing community expenses.  In addition, everyone will contribute labor (amount to be determined by the Ecovillage Council) for each day they stay at the ecovillage.  (See Shares, fees and labor)

Cabanas

A Member owning at least 36 shares in the Cia. Ltda. will be entitled to build one cabana (small house or cabin) on the land, in accordance with the ecovillage development plan.  All cabanas will be small and unobtrusive, and members with cabanas will continue to use the common house for large meals, guest quarters, etc.

Two or more Members or Associate Members may combine their shares to form a nucleo (group) owning at least 36 shares, which will then have the right to build a cabana.

Members or nucleos desiring a cabana will make additional investments in the Cia. Ltda. to cover construction costs.  The Cia. Ltda. will issue additional shares in exchange for this additional investment.  The Cia. Ltda. will retain ownership of all cabanas.  Members leaving the community will sell their shares in the Cia. Ltda., not the cabanas.

Members or nucleos who have built cabanas will have priority in using them.  When they are not present, their cabanas will be available for use by others in accordance with policies to be developed. 

Businesses and programs

Members and Associate Members may conduct businesses and nonprofit programs at the ecovillage that are in alignment with the community vision, with the approval of the Ecovillage Council.  We welcome the development of businesses and nonprofit programs focusing on sustainable agricultural and agro-forestry practices; reforestation and ecological restoration; ecological, social and spiritual development; and personal growth.  Some founding members intend to establish teaching and learning programs, a retreat center, a healing center and a private ecological reserve (RPPN).

The community as such will not own or operate these businesses or nonprofit programs.  Instead, individual businesses and/or NGO’s may be established for this purpose.  These businesses and NGO’s will pay rent to the ecovillage for use of the land and buildings, utilities, etc.

Joining and leaving the community

To become a Member or Associate Member, a person must purchase shares in the Cia. Ltda., sign all community agreements, and be approved by the Ecovillage Council.

The community may develop policies to allow Members, Associate Members (and Friends aspiring to membership) to acquire shares through contributions of labor (“sweat equity”) beyond the 2 hours/day requirement.

A Member or Associate Member seeking to leave the community will first offer to sell his/her share of the Cia. Ltda. to other members.  If no current members buy this share, s/he may sell it to a prospective new member with the approval of the Ecovillage Council.  Policies will be developed to determine the fair value of a departing member’s share.

Finances

The companhia limitada (Cia. Ltda.) will own the ecovillage’s land and buildings, as well as any other property (vehicles, tools, furniture, equipment, supplies, etc.) purchased by the community.  All income and expenses will be handled through the Cia. Ltda.’s bank account.

Income and expenses will be calculated in Brazilian reais. Income and expenses made in other currencies will be converted to reais at the rate published at http://www.xe.com/ucc on the date of the exchange.

Income:

- Initial investments from Members and Associate Members.
- Additional investments from Members and Associate Members, including those covering the construction cost of cabanas.
- Monthly fees from Members and Associate Members.
- Daily use fees.
- Rent from businesses and NGO’s operating at the ecovillage.
- Grants and donations for general support, or for specific projects (e.g., reforestation and ecological restoration).  Some grants may be directed to the NGO’s operating at the ecovillage, which will then pay rent to the companhia limitada.

Expenses:

- Initial purchase of the property, including taxes and fees.
- Property taxes, utilities, maintenance, repairs, supplies and other operating expenses. 
- Vehicles, tools, furniture, equipment, and other capital investments for the use of the community. 
- Construction costs of cabanas and other structures.

The Cia. Ltda. will not pay for food, personal items, travel expenses or any expenses of businesses and nonprofit programs using ecovillage resources.

Behavioral norms

All members will be expected to act in accordance with the Common Ground statement (see Common Ground), and guidelines for use of the house and common spaces, to be developed.

Policies will be developed to determine the consequences of violating these norms or other community accordances, procedures for conflict resolution and reconciliation, and the grounds for and process of asking a member to leave the community.

A: Types of Villagers
B: Ownership structure
C: Governance
D: Common Ground
E: Current Villagers
F: Shares, fees & labor requirements