Building a non-residential community of purpose and belonging

One of my favourite things about being a community development practitioner is meeting and discussing with others who also love to build community and the many forms that community can take.

Most people I speak to love the idea of living in some sort of connected neighbourhood, such as cohousing, a pocket neighbourhood, or a housing cooperative.  Yet, there are not enough of these types of residential options available and it takes a HELL OF A LOT OF WORK to create one from scratch.

So, how can one create a strong community with all the benefits of sharing resources, caring for each other, belonging to place, sense of agency to make a positive impact, and much more without the financial risk and overwhelming work of doing a new development.

It’s possible to create most of these benefits of a residential community by bringing together people from a wider area on a regular basis to do meaningful activities together, within a container of explicit shared values and purpose.  The right kind of leadership is also important—not the guru or cult-leader styles—but what I might call servant-leadership based on shared power and decision-making.

In the latest episode of the Homefullness Show, I interview Trypp West, the founder of an urban community called Springfed in Boulder, Colorado (USA).  He describes the founding of Springfed, a community that started as his thesis project and has continued for the past three years. The community operates on a non-residential model with the meeting place being his rented farmhouse where they hold fortnightly potlucks and Sunday gardening days to foster social bonds and teach self-sufficiency.

He shares how conflicts are managed through compassionate practices called Unitive Justice and the importance of flexible and servant leadership in maintaining and empowering a cohesive group.

Trypp emphasizes the social aspect as the primary draw for members and outlines the role of leaders and the inner council, known as Earth Guardians, in guiding the community's direction. 

The five take-aways from this interview are:

Community Impact:

The intentional community has profoundly impacted individuals, helping those suffering from depression and disconnection. Members express deeply personal benefits and emotional support from the community, which enhances their sense of belonging and life purpose.

Concept of Homefullness:

"Homefullness" is described as the feeling of being able to rely on and connect with people around you. It emphasizes the importance of interrelatedness and creating a supportive environment that fosters a sense of home.

Development and Leadership:

The community, initiated as a thesis project, has continued to thrive for years. The leadership promotes shared roles and responsibilities, empowering members to take on leadership roles and contributing to the evolution of the community. Leadership includes facilitating conflict resolution and ensuring equitable participation.

Ecological and Social Activities:

Key activities include bi-weekly potlucks that strengthen social bonds, garden days that teach and involve members in sustainable practices, and various thematic events that encourage community engagement and personal growth.

Measuring Success and Future Vision:

Success is measured qualitatively through heartfelt feedback from members rather than formal metrics. The community prioritizes emotional and social well-being through personal testimonies and shared experiences. Future visions include potentially expanding to a more residential model while continuing to foster inclusive and cooperative community practices.

Watch on YouTube or listen on your podcast app to this interview.