Initial Steps
APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP
We’re looking for people who are keen to contribute their time and energy to creating this dream. As well as being financially stable, emotionally secure, and ideally, have some experience living cooperatively. We have a multi-step application process. To begin, please:
We’re looking for people who are keen to contribute their time and energy to creating this dream. As well as being financially stable, emotionally secure, and ideally, have some experience living cooperatively. We have a multi-step application process. To begin, please:
- Read our community’s Vision, Mission, Aims, & Values
- Fill out the Hearthstone Village Questionnaire
- Read the book Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian*
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The stages of joining our community are as follows:
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to meet with a couple members of the community in person, we can arrange it, bearing in mind Covid-19 provisions.
"WHO DOES WELL IN COMMUNITY? *excerpt from Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian
1. People who are fulfilled and doing well in their lives are more likely to thrive in and contribute to community.
2. People with emotional maturity and self-esteem, who know what they want and know their strengths and weaknesses, and who are seeking personal growth for themselves, tend to do well in community.
3. The aggressive, competent business executive or entrepreneur who instinctively knows best and makes decisions quickly tends to feel frustrated and impatient in community until he or she becomes comfortable with cooperative decisionmaking. Then such a person can thrive in community and contribute a great deal.
4. Obviously a socially confident person who likes people will enjoy community, but people who are shy or natural loners can have difficulty at first. They can be insensitive to other people’s needs and have no idea what’s expected of them. But with enough “high willingness,” such people can use community as a learning opportunity and become fully contributing members.
5. Some people fiercely guard their autonomy, find the idea of interdependence with others unsettling, and tend to bristle when asked to follow rules or perform a task. Again, with enough “high willingness,” such people can move from “I” consciousness to “we” consciousness without losing their sense of self. It feels good to be interdependent with others; however, for some people it takes a certain amount of self-confidence and trust even to try it.
6. People who are willing to take the initiative, say so when they disagree with others, and ask for what they want, tend to do well.
7. People who always know what’s best, or who are dynamic, assertive, and full of ideas, may need to tone down that energy somewhat in group meetings in order to give others the space to speak."
- STAGE ONE- Application to Community
- Interested candidates submit an online application.
- Candidates are sent and asked to read Hearthstone Village documents.
- STAGE TWO- Introduction to the Community
- The potential member is invited to observe three community meetings
- STAGE THREE- Exploring Living in Community
- The exploring member indicates they want to be considered for membership
- The exploring member is interviewed by a minimum of two current members
- The exploring member participates in a minimum of six meetings, or four meetings and two work parties
- STAGE FOUR- Living in Community
- The exploring member rents and lives onsite at Hearthstone Village between 4-6 months
- In some cases we may require a longer exploration period
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to meet with a couple members of the community in person, we can arrange it, bearing in mind Covid-19 provisions.
"WHO DOES WELL IN COMMUNITY? *excerpt from Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian
1. People who are fulfilled and doing well in their lives are more likely to thrive in and contribute to community.
2. People with emotional maturity and self-esteem, who know what they want and know their strengths and weaknesses, and who are seeking personal growth for themselves, tend to do well in community.
3. The aggressive, competent business executive or entrepreneur who instinctively knows best and makes decisions quickly tends to feel frustrated and impatient in community until he or she becomes comfortable with cooperative decisionmaking. Then such a person can thrive in community and contribute a great deal.
4. Obviously a socially confident person who likes people will enjoy community, but people who are shy or natural loners can have difficulty at first. They can be insensitive to other people’s needs and have no idea what’s expected of them. But with enough “high willingness,” such people can use community as a learning opportunity and become fully contributing members.
5. Some people fiercely guard their autonomy, find the idea of interdependence with others unsettling, and tend to bristle when asked to follow rules or perform a task. Again, with enough “high willingness,” such people can move from “I” consciousness to “we” consciousness without losing their sense of self. It feels good to be interdependent with others; however, for some people it takes a certain amount of self-confidence and trust even to try it.
6. People who are willing to take the initiative, say so when they disagree with others, and ask for what they want, tend to do well.
7. People who always know what’s best, or who are dynamic, assertive, and full of ideas, may need to tone down that energy somewhat in group meetings in order to give others the space to speak."
