Triad Intentional Communities Network

Simplistic Intentional Communities Growing....

2011-06-13T10:38:00.001-07:00

The following article about the simplistic Intentional Community Model (i.e., house sharing) was published in Tampa Bay Online on June 12.

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House sharing trend grows among senior

With baby boomers now reaching retirement age, it is important to consider the options for senior living.

Some seniors choose to move to a retirement community, whereas others decide to stay at home and make renovations. For those running low on funds, staying with their adult children might be a beneficial choice. But another viable option is called house sharing – a long-term living arrangement in which unrelated seniors live in a shared house, apartment, condominium or mobile home, according to seniorresource.com.

Nancy Thompson, the senior media relations manager for AARP, refers to house sharing as the "Golden Girls" household.

With house sharing, seniors are able to maintain the privacy of their own room, but they also gain a sense of community when sharing the common areas in the home (living room, kitchen, patio, family room). Seniors can retain their independence with the advantage of having others look out for them.

Jim Woodard, a syndicated real estate columnist, said that an older homeowner may rent rooms to others if he needs extra income or would rather not live alone. Larger homes could be funded by community or faith-based organizations.

According to seniorresource.com, house sharing could be a great option if a senior answers "yes" to some of these questions: Do you live alone? Could you benefit from extra income? Do you want to decrease housing costs? Do you need assistance with chores? Could you share your place? Would you be able to help with chores in order to lower your rent?

Once a senior decides to become involved with house sharing, the next step is to find an organization that matches homeowners with those seeking a home.

Ron Leshnower, the guide to apartment living/rental for About.com, said that more nonprofit agencies are providing senior matching services. With seniors gaining more experience with the Internet, they are able to search for quality shared housing options or find matching agencies. Within cities and counties, shared housing organizations perform thorough roommate matching and look at special needs, personalities and necessities for each individual, according to Barbara Krueger, founder of seniorresource.com. The agencies check for safety, as well as compatibility.

Financial benefits aren't the only advantage to house sharing. Yes, housemates will share expenses, but other advantages include independence, security and companionship. By having housemates, less mobile seniors can receive help with cleaning, yard work, transportation and cooking, according to Krueger. A senior may feel more secure and less lonely with others nearby. In case of an emergency, there is someone to call for help. And house sharing provides a friend to share interests and spend time with.

"Avoiding loneliness and isolation and enjoying community by living in a senior cohousing community can be one of the most rewarding decisions in a person's life," according to The Cohousing Co.

House sharing also can be in the form of several apartment buildings or even a whole community. Charles Durrett, co-owner of McCamant & Durrett Architects, has created cohousing communities. Durrett introduced many Americans to the idea of senior cohousing in his book, "Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living." The senior cohousing projects contain custom neighborhoods for seniors. Durrett said each resident has his own house but shares communal facilities for meals, laundry, etc.

As an alternative to living alone or going to a retirement home, cohousing provides a way to drain resources less quickly and enable people to care for one another, according to Durrett. Only four senior cohousing communities have been built, but there are dozens currently being designed. The cohousing community "allows seniors to live lightly on the planet and to enhance their quality of life at the same time," according to The Cohousing Co.

If you are considering house sharing, be careful and do your research. If you decide not to use a matching agency, try to get a referral from friends or family members. Leshnower recommends asking possible housemate applicants for references or running background checks.

"Health advances in recent decades have led to a situation where people are living longer and also needing less care," Leshnower said. "So the option of shared housing has great appeal to many seniors today."

By AMY WINTER
Published: June 12, 2011 tbo.com Tampa Bay online

http://www2.tbo.com/shopping/homeseeker/2011/jun/12/house-sharing-trend-grows-among-seniors-ar-235956/

Energy Efficiency in Urban Living and Working

2010-11-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Members and Friends

On Saturday, November 13, Guilford Energy Resources will be offering the last presentation in its “Local Energy” series. The title: “Energy Efficiency in Urban Living and Working.” The presenter: Michiel VanderSommen.

Cities and their residents are looking for ways to cut energy costs while at the same time improving livability. Michiel will talk about ways to achieve this double objective. He will “connect the dots” across multiple sub-topics such as overall city layout, non-auto transportation orientations, mixed-use building, and self-sufficient sub-communities. The concept of “district energy” will be featured, showing how this approach to local energy makes sense (and cents) in a well-planned city. And because proper city planning involves the development of self-sufficient sub-communities, the very concept of community is emphasized and the development of a sense of community is promoted. Finally, it will become clear how all of this promotes job-creation, an important by-product for a struggling economy. In short, we can at the same time lower costs, save energy, improve livability, build a sense of community, and increase employment. Be aware that this requires a willingness to think differently about cities and their neighborhoods. But, as Albert Einstein once said; “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used to create them”.

Michiel VanderSommen brings to his analysis a broad educational and practical background. He is a mechanical engineer, has studied architecture, was educated in Europe, and has lived and worked and studied in several modern cities. This broad background has prepared him for this long overdue presentation, one which promises to fill the gaps within and across many of the presentations we have offered in the past.

What: Energy Efficiency in Urban Living and Working
When: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 10:00 AM
Where: Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library, 1420 Price Park Rd., Greensboro
Cost: Free

Hope to see you there!

2010 Piedmont Triad Livable Communities Summit

2010-04-29T17:42:00.001-07:00

We must be smarter about how we can successfully compete for federal dollars since the budgets are smaller than the demand. For example, last year there were over $60 billion dollars in requests for only $1.5 billion dollars available in the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants. This week Ray LaHood, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, strongly suggested that we (Triad area's four metropolitan planning organizations or MPOs) be more unified in our vision and strategy when requesting grant funds.

LaHood said, "Four MPOs is probably three too many.... If you speak with one voice, you'll be pretty damn powerful."

Triad, can we do it?

Do we really have a vision and strategy for livable communities...with housing that is really affordable and transportation that if forward thinking...with emphasis on more than just cars?

Our own Carolyn Biggerstaff attended the Summit and says: "Sec. LaHood made it very clear that the partnership among DOT, HUD, and EPA will include allocations of shrinking federal dollars to communities that do a good job of planning among all 3 areas – because all 3 are integral parts of affordable, sustainable communities. (GSO is already leading the change with its 2010 - 2015 5-year plan required by HUD. Our consultants are working on the hardest part --- strategies --- now.) I was pleased that Sec. LaHood spoke highly of mixed-use communities with plenty of options – light rail, walking, bicycling --- and the need for interesting places to live. For those of us who want to get away from cookie-cutter housing complexes, I am hearing encouragement from those in charge of our federal dollars. "

Humm..I wonder, if we can be the Frieberg, Germany of the East Coast with public rail, large traffic free centers, houses that turn the suns rays into cash and unified and socially engaged citizenry?

Dreams you say?

Ray LaHood might not think so. He alludes to our being big thinkers. "If you build it they will come," he says.

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Additional Information Source: http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/apr/29/speak-with-one-voice-lahood-says/

Important Announcement

2010-04-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Community Builders,

We have enjoyed a wide variety of programs related to intentional communities during the last year and a half, and we have shared our personal backgrounds, dreams, and visions. Attendees at the TICN monthly meetings have recognized common values that are central to our identities and life purposes.

TICN has always been about education and networking, and although the TICN planning group (Michiel VanderSommen, Caroline Maness, Mitch Mitcham, Gratia Wright, and Carolyn Biggerstaff) has no desire to change our mission, we would like to suggest that spring is an excellent time to experiment with new formats! Instead of monthly meetings based on a particular topic, we would like to propose biannual gatherings of the whole group, along with occasional special events, such as field trips to existing communities. We would also like to offer, for your consideration, the opportunity to devote energy toward smaller interest groups that share one central focus, such as developing and living in co-housing on your land, forming community gardens, or forming virtual communities. The possible topics for special interest groups are endless!

The TCN planning group is inviting anyone who may be interested in a particular aspect of intentional communities to form an interest group focused on your topic. Each interest group will set its own agendas, times, and meeting spaces. And always,you will have the option to invite the entire TICN list to participate, especially in events or field trips. The TICN planning group will be glad to help you with logistics and communication.

We plan to continue to communicate via e-mail and the TICN blog, and we are currently exploring other on-line tools. We hope that inviting people to join with each other around a more narrow focus will allow our passions to move us into new creative ventures.

Expect to receive an invitation soon from developer Mitch Mitcham to join an interest group focused on building an intentional community in the Triad.

As always, your ideas and suggestions are solicited and welcomed. If you are no longer interested in receiving e-mails from TICN, please let us know that too.

TICN GLOSSARY

The TICN planning group, in an attempt to alleviate confusion in the use of terms, has suggested that we create a glossary. Here is a start for everyone to play with. The first 2 definitions are from our brochure, the next 2 are copied and pasted from the net. Please feel free to refine these and to offer others.

Intentional community: A group of people who have chosen to live together with a common purpose, working cooperatively to create a lifestyle that reflects their shared core values

Share-A-Home: A larger dwelling where up to ten older folks choose to live together as a family with private bedrooms and baths and shared common space. A resident manager is available on the premises to offer gentle assistance with household chores.

Co-housing: Cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods.

Focus group: A form of qualitative research in which a people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.Questions are asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group member.

Planning group: The TICN planning group is composed of volunteers who organize gatherings and events for all on the TICN lists. Individual interest group members plan their own meetings and events/field trips, which they may choose to open to all.

Blessings to all,

Carolyn

336.852.6272

A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means.

William Hazlitt

(1778-1830, British essayist)

EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD SUMMER CAMP

2010-04-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Greensboro Children’s Museum Creates A Buzz

About Summer Camps!

( Greensboro , NC ) – The Greensboro Children’s Museum has an exciting line up of weekday summer camps for 2010, including the one-of-a-kind Edible Schoolyard camps. Camps are offered weekly throughout the summer starting June 21^st and running through August 20^th. Camps are available for boys and girls, ages 4 to 11 years old and include a variety of themes like science, music, art, nature, construction, fantasy, cooking and gardening.

In the Edible Schoolyard Camps, children will learn how to plant, tend to, harvest, prepare and cook up fresh organic food. Through a unique, “Seed-to-Table” experience, kids will learn about nutrition, the life cycle of plants, ecology, seasonality, how to best care for the earth. At the end of these weeklong camps, children will get to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal that they helped prepare and cook for their parents.

Other popular “GCM Camp Buzz” camps include Wild Things, which teaches children about nature; Castles, Crowns, and Kings, which allows children to live their fantasies in an enchanted kingdom; Big Bang Boom’s Rock Star Camp, which teach kids how to be rock star musicians and Take Off which teaches kids about science through rocket building and launching.

Each camp will be offered weekly from 8:30am to 1:30pm with time for lunch included. A morning snack will be provided, but campers should bring a non-refrigerated lunch. The Edible Schoolyard camps cost $120 for members and $140 for non-members. All other camps cost $100 for members and $140 for non-members. Camp scholarships are available. People interested should call Beth Lynch at 574-2898 x305.

Visit www.gcmuseum.com for a complete list of all camps and to download registration forms or call 336-574-2898 x308 for more information. Camp scholarships are available and interested persons should call Beth Lynch at 336-574-2898 x305.

~~~

About the Greensboro Children’s Museum

The Greensboro Children's Museum is a hands-on, interactive, and educational place for children ages 0-10 years and their families. The Museum provides rich play experiences, programs and a dynamic learning environment for children to explore, discover, learn, create and imagine.

Greensboro Children’s Museum ● 220 N. Church Street , Greensboro NC , 27401 ● 336-574-2898 ● www.gcmuseum.com

One of our Own

2010-03-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoy a beautiful read about Chip Sharpe, 64, of Bayside, Calif., who donated his parents’ house to the nonprofit Share-A-Home of Guilford County (Carolyn Biggerstaff, Executive Director), along with $5,000 from him and his wife, Celestine Armenta.

Click here for a wonderful read.

Thursday, March 11, 2010 TICN Gathering/Meet-up

2010-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hello Community Builders,

On Thursday, March 11, the Triad Intentional Communities Network will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting in our usual setting, the fellowship hall of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at the corner of Walker and Mendenhall in Greensboro.

You are invited to join us at 5:30 PM to discuss the concept of intentional communities and for informal networking. We start our meetings at 6:00 and end at 7:30. Please plan to join us to learn and to share your interest with others who are exploring the many aspects of community.

Lib Hutchby and Karen Buck, the co-founders of the Eldergreen project, an intentional community they are forming in the Triangle area for residents 55 years and older who want to "live in a community atmosphere while consciously working against environmental degradation" will present their vision. There are already cohousing communities in the Triangle where Evergreen will locate, but they are not geared specifically for the needs of seniors.

Lib and Karen will be talking about their progress in creating Eldergreen, including the problems encountered, and what is working for them as their group plans a co-housing community of 20 –30 units that will be their home. If you have questions that you would like addressed in their presentation, you may send them by replying to me, Carolyn at euphie@bellsouth.net by this Wednesday.

If you have not visited with us before, please check our room location carefully before coming. The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a large building, and other doors will be locked! To find the fellowship hall, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

To make suggestions or to ask questions about this program, please call Mitch Mitcham at 336.209.1181 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272. You can access information on our blog at http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/ .

Hope to see you Thursday, March 11, for this informative program and discussion ---

All the best,

Carolyn

Speak Your Mind Workshop at UNCG

2010-02-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

The UNCG Speaking Center is offering a one hour workshop designed to help people who want to speak from the floor at public meetings. They will focus on how to organize the short speeches and what elements are essential if one hopes to be persuasive.

Please pass this news on to others that might be interested in attending.

Enrollment is open. Registration is taken on-line. For those who might not have computer access or an e-mail address, you can certainly sign them up with their name and your e-mail address. They send parking and driving directions by e-mail in the form of a reminder - as long as you can help on that front it should work out.

If they find that it fills super fast we'll either move it to a bigger room or offer it in two rooms at the same time (in the same building).

They are especially interested in reaching more community members. The workshop is posted here for April 7th at 6pm.

Your anticipated time and consideration are greatly appreciated.

For more information, see the following information below.

_________________________________
Kimberly M. Cuny
Director, The University Speaking Center
3211 MHRA Building 336-256-1346
http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu/

Faculty Development Coordinator,
Speaking Across the Curriculum
www.uncg.edu/cac/SAC/sac.html

Lecturer, Communication Studies
www.uncg.edu/cst/inc_unit/faculty/kmcvit.html

Everything you can imagine is real. ~ Pablo Picasso

Mark your calendar: 6pm on February 11, 2010

2010-02-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

Hello Community Builders,

Thursday, February 11, the Triad Intentional Communities Network will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting in our usual setting, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at the corner of Walker and Mendenhall in Greensboro.

You are invited to join us at 5:30 to discuss the concept of intentional communities and for informal networking. We start our meetings at 6:00 and end at 7:30 pm. Please plan to join us to learn and to share your interesst with others who are exploring the many aspects of community. Light refreshments will be available.

Michiel VanderSommen, one of our own TICN steering committee visionaries, will share some of his experiences from recent visits to intentional communities in Europe. He will talk about European best practices that we can borrow to create more sustainable communites in GSO, using the College Hill neighborhood of GSO as an example:
www.southernevergreen.com/save-college-hill. Michael's formal training in nautical engineering and architecture, his experience as head of an art department, and his national success as a sculptor: VanderSommenStudio.com, have helped him to combine art, physics, engineering, and architecture into one assembly that leads to sustainable homes and communities.

If you have not visited with us before, please check our room location carefully before coming. The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a large building, and other doors will be locked! To find the fellowship hall, where we meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at (336)358-6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272. You can access information on our blog at http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you Thursday, February 11---

All the best,

Carolyn

Thursday, January 14, 2010 TICN Gathering

2010-01-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Community Builders,

Thursday, January 14, the Triad Intentional Communities Network will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting in our usual setting, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at the corner of Walker and Mendenhall in Greensboro.

You are invited to join us at 5:30 to discuss the concept of intentional communities and for informal networking. We start our meetings at 6:00 and end at 7:30 pm. Please plan to join us to learn and to share your interest with others who are exploring the many aspects of community.

Skip Crowe, staff member of the Greensboro Housing Coalition, will present information about the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into building intentional communities. Skips's background in real estate, banking, and business provides a strong platform for his passion for community building and safe, affordable, green homes for all. He will share best practices for keeping our living spaces free of pests and other allergens without pesticides and toxic chemicals. Bring your questions about renovating spaces with lead paint, finding contractors who are sensitive to sustainability issues, and changing governmental regulations. The discussion will be guided by you!

If you have not visited with us before, please check our room location carefully before coming. The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a large building, and other doors will be locked! To find the fellowship hall, where we meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at 336.358.6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272.

Hope to see you this Thursday, January 14---

All the best,

Carolyn

Greensboro Department of Transportation Survey for Downtown Greenway

2009-12-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT) in cooperation with Greensboro Parks & Recreation and Action Greensboro would like your input on the design of Phase 2 of the Downtown Greenway. We have set up an online survey to receive input if you were unable to attend the December 8 public workshop.

The Murrow Boulevard / Fisher Avenue corridor (Phase 2), from East Lee Street to North Eugene Street, is 1.5 miles of the future 4.2 mile multi-use trail that will loop around downtown Greensboro. The workshop presented 3 concepts for the Phase 2 segment along Murrow Blvd. between Lee St. and Summit Ave. and 1 concept for the Phase 2 segment along Fisher Ave. between Summit Ave. and Eugene St. For a map of the location of Phase 2 in the Downtown Greenway, please see the following map: http://www.downtowngreenway.org/map/documents/detailed11X17mapandlegend.pdf

Please refer to the Morrow Boulevard concept maps on the GDOT website for renderings to assist you in completing the survey:

http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/GDOT/divisions/planning/bicycleandpedestrian/greenways/DowntownGreenwayPhase+2.htm

The short survey on Phase 2 is available below until December 16, 2009.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M5QYYL7

The City of Greensboro and Action Greensboro appreciate your input.

FREE RENT

2009-12-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

Share a home with a terrific young woman with mild disabilities, in a lovely home with private bedroom & bath, located in the north central part of Greensboro

Housemate must be mature, reliable, healthy, physically fit, nutritionally conscious & emotionally strong.

Free rent is offered in exchange for companionship,

guidance and some household responsibilities.

Call 545-0717 or 686-4806, between 9am & 9pm

Thursday, December 10 -- TICN Gathering

2009-12-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM, the Triad Intentional Communities Network will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting in our usual setting, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at the corner of Walker and Mendenhall in Greensboro.

At the November meeting, participants decided to change the format for our last meeting in 2009. We are inviting everyone to bring a snack to share --- an hors d'œuvre, salad, dessert --- whoever you choose --- and we'll all share food and personal experiences of community during 2009.

Gratia Wright will lead us in a discussion of possibilities for the TICN in 2010. If you don't have time to bring food, please come anyway. The most important ingredient of the evening is you!

In November we explored the possibilities of incorporating healing into intentional communities --- one of the interest areas most often cited as important during our focus groups. Discussion centered around the meaning of healing, energy healing modalities and how each of us can be a healing presence to ourselves as well as others when centered in the present awareness of our greater selves/divine essence. After discussion, Judy Mitcham and Lorenzo Cree led us in a group session of subtle/spiritual energy transmission. Participants are asking for more hands-on community-building experiences for 2010 --- more energy sessions, more opportunities to share our own experiences and stories, and visits to intentional communities. So, this Thursday, we'll supply a place to share stories, and tableware for sharing food -- and we will depend on you for everything else.

If you have not visited with us before, please check our room location carefully before coming. The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a large building, and most doors will be locked! To find the fellowship hall, where we meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at 336.358.6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272.

You can access information on our blog at http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you Thursday, December 10 --

Intentional Giving

2009-11-30T06:53:00.000-08:00

De-Clutter Your Home or Help Someone De-Clutter Their Home and donate those books, CDs, and DVDs to St. Francis Episcopal on Lawndale Ave in Greensboro.

THEY NEED BOOKS NOW!!!!! THEY HAVE ALMOST 2,000 LESS BOOKS THAN THEY DID THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

Please forward this call for books to family, friends, business associates and any one who might have books, CD's, DVD's etc to contribute. Also, feel free to print a few copies and put them up on bulletin boards in places you frequent such as your children's school, your office, grocery stores, drug stores, laundries, etc.

We really appreciate your assistance in helping St. Francis continue the good work it does through funding of community-based Outreach projects. Last year the Book Sale provided over $49,000 for Outreach projects and, in this time of need, we want to do even more this year. So we need book contributions NOW.

St. Francis Episcopal Church is located at 3506 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro NC 27408 [between Cone Blvd and Pisgah Church Road]

www.stfrancisgreensboro.org - 336-288-4721

Be sure to call with questions or if you need a tax receipt.

THANKS for your help!! Email Darleneball@triad.rr.com if you have questions.

Thursday, November 12 TICN

2009-11-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

Next week, on Thursday, November 12, the Triad Intentional Communities Network will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting in our usual setting, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at the corner of Walker and Mendenhall in Greensboro.

Newcomers are invited to join us at 5:30 to learn about the concept of intentional communities and others are invited to join us at that time for informal discussion and networking. We start our meetings at 6:00 and end at 7:30pm.

Please plan to join us to learn and share your interest with others who are exploring the many aspects of community.

November's program will explore the possibilities of incorporating healing into intentional communities --- one of the interest areas most often cited as important during our focus groups. Discussion will center around the meaning of healing, energy healing modalities and how each of us can be a healing presence to ourselves as well as others when centered in the present awareness of our greater selves/divine essence.

The discussion will be led by Judy Mitcham and Lorenzo Cree, who will offer a group session of subtle/spiritual energy transmission after the discussion. Lorenzo is a subtle/spiritual energy healer who has been selected three times by the National Institutes of Health for research studies on distant healing (www.lorenzocree.com). Judy, a former nurse, has been mentored by Lorenzo Cree and is pursuing certification with Healing Touch International.

If you have not visited with us before, please check our room location carefully before coming. The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a large building, and other doors will be locked! To find the fellowship hall, where we meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at 336.358.6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272. You can access information on our blog at http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you Thursday, November 12 ---

All the best,

Carolyn

Tuesday, October 27 Greensboro Downtown Area Consolodiated Plan

2009-10-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Downtown Greensboro, Inc, the City of Greensboro and Guilford County are holding the first in a series of public meetings to get your input on their effort to combine the many, various plans for downtown development into one Downtown Area Consolidated Plan. Please join us!

Tuesday, October 27
5:30 - 7:00pm
Carolina Theater (Renaissance Room)
310 South Greene Street

Priorities must be set. An implementation plan must be developed. And the opportunity to connect downtown to nearby neighborhoods, economic anchors and higher education institutions must be seized. Your help would be invaluable!

The meeting is free and open to the public but space is limited, so you must pre-register by calling 379-0060, extension 27 or rsvp@downtowngreensboro.net.

Aesthetically-pleasing Rain Gardens

2009-10-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

Growing the Greenway

Environmental

Educational Series

(click below for video)

Aesthetically-pleasing Rain Gardens

October 18th

4:00 pm

Greensboro Arboretum

401 Ashland Drive

October 20th

6:30 pm

Guilford County Agricultural Center

3309 Burlington Road

October 22nd

6:30 pm

Bur-Mil Wildlife Education Center

5834 Bur-Mil Club Road

While rain gardens effectively help manage water (those wet spots in your yard) in the landscape, they are not

always aesthetically pleasing. This lecture will show you how to construct a rain garden and how beautiful they

can be.

TO REGISTER: Mail your payment to: Rain Garden Class, 3309 Burlington Road, G’boro, NC 27405.

Make sure to indicate which class date you are registering for.

Class Fee

$5.00

Make check or money

order (no cash)

payable to:

Guilford Extension

Advisory Council

-

-- Karen Neill
Urban Horticulture Agent
NC Cooperative Extension
Phone: 336-375-5876
http://www.guilfordgardenanswers.org

Your Input Is Needed!

2009-10-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

The City of Greensboro and the Community Sustainability Council would like your input on strategies for the City’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application.

This will build on priorities identified in public meetings held this summer. Feel free to print or forward this email or the attached flyer to anyone you think may be interested.

Date: Tuesday, October 13th

Two opportunities to attend: 12 to 1:30 or 6:30 to 8

Where: The Nussbaum Room of the Central Library, 219 N. Church Street

Free parking will be available in the Church Street Deck

For more information, contact Sue Schwartz at sue.schwartz@greensboro-nc.gov or 373-2349, or visit the CSC website at www.greensboro-nc.gov/citygovernment/sustainability

Russ Clegg, AICP

Housing and Community Development

300 W. Washington St .

Greensboro, NC

27402

336-373-2211

russ.clegg@greensboro-nc.gov

Fax 336-412-6315

Please use our resources wisely

Minutes from October 8 TICN Gathering

2009-10-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

The October gathering was held at the Greensboro Public Library downtown from 6pm to 7pm. We developed a set of questions to ask the two mayoral candidates (Johnson and Knight). We developed a set of questions to ask the candidates as follows:

1. What is the vision for more mixed use development, where residents can walk to pharmacies, supermarkets and restaurants with options for food markets such as co-ops in existing neighborhoods?

2. What cities have you visited that has a vision you like? Describe it.

3. What is the vision for re-use of vacant buildings and disincentives for the abandonment of commercial property?

4. What is your vision for neighborhood health/urgent care clinics?

5. Given Greensboro's 11% unemployment rate, what plans do you have for recruiting firms that have sustainable employment opportunities?

6. How do you plan to improve stream protection and encourage sustainable practices (such as water conservation) within the business community and in neighborhoods?

We hope that you will be able to come to the next two forums for City Council candidates. And if you have additional questions, either send them in advance (via the comment section here on the blog) or bring them with you. We're on a roll!

The next forums are:

Monday, October 12 - 6:30 p.m. - District Candidate Forum

Monday, October 19 - 6:30 p.m. - At Large Candidate Forum

All will be held at the Greensboro Central Library in the Nussbaum Room. Invite all your neighbors. Donna Newton reminds us that since it takes 5 votes for the Council to pass anything, it's important that we know as much as possible about the positions of all candidates - not just our particular district candidates.

Blessings to all,

Carolyn

October TICN Gathering

2009-10-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hello TICN Attendees,

I hope that all of you are doing well, and that all who live within the Greensboro city limits will vote in the primary tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6. And I hope that all of you -- Greensboro residents and others --- will join us this Thursday October 8 at 6:00 at the Greensboro Central Library in the Tannenbaum room, on the first floor, to the right of the entrance for our monthly TICN gathering. You may remember that we decided to have a short October meeting at the Central Library instead of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant so that we can attend the mayoral candidates forum sponsored by the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress which starts at 7:00 in the Nussbaum Room, right next to our meeting room.

Not only will our location be different this month, but so will our meeting format. Instead of a speaker, we will discuss our vision for intentional communities, how we can best share it with our elected officials and the departments, boards and commissions they oversee. Specifically, we plan to prepare questions for the mayoral candidates forum immediately following our meeting and for the two candidates forums that are scheduled on Monday, October 12 - 6:30 p.m. - District Candidate Forum and Monday, October 19 - 6:30 p.m. - At Large Candidate Forum. Those 2 forums will also be held in the Central Library in the Nussbaum room.

Other events will be occurring this fall where our TICN community will have an opportunity to influence the way GSO structures its neighborhoods and how it chooses to allocate our resources. Let's be prepared to make our voices count!

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at 336.358.6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272.

Hope to see you Thursday for a very important hour together!

September TICN Gathering

2009-09-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN)

Draft Agenda: Thursday, September 10, 2009

6pm to 7:30pm

Welcome and Mission Statement (3 minutes)

Round Robin Introductions (7 minutes)

Speaker (25 minutes): Cindy Commission will Hayworth, member of Greensboro's Zoningshare the may ways zoning regulations impact the formation of intentional communities in Greensboro.

Questions/Answers (15 minutes)

TICN Update (15 minutes):

Ellen Atkins selected for prestigious Institute of Aging, Senior Leadership Initiative at UNC Chapel Hill.
Blue Ridge Cohousing tour available two Saturdays of the month. Contact Martha Fowler at (336) 887-2396 if you are interested in sharing a ride.
Elderspirit Autumn Retreat is September 18 to 20
Mountains to Sea Trail Hike is October 3 with Open Space

Open Discussion (10 minutes)

Closing (5 minutes)

City of Greensboro Holds Community Meetings on Draft Land Development Ordinance

2009-08-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

From an email received recently:

=====================

GREENSBORO, NC -- (August 17, 2009) – The City of Greensboro will hold a series of community meetings in September on the draft Land Development Ordnance (LDO). The LDO will serve as the source for standards and regulations related to land-use and development in the city, and includes city-wide rezoning polices that will make limited changes to existing zoning districts.

The meetings will be held:

· September 3 from 6-8 pm at the Melvin Municipal Office Building, City Council Chambers, 300 W. Washington St.

· September 15 from 6-8 pm at Barber Park, Community Room, 1500 Dan’s Rd.

· September 17 from 4-6 pm at the Natural Science Center, located in the Greensboro Council of Garden Clubs Building, 4301-A Lawndale Ave.

City staff will be on hand at the meetings to provide additional information on the LDO and answer any questions or concerns.

The LDO can be viewed on the Planning Department’s Web site at www.greensboro-nc.gov/LDO or at its office, located on the third floor of the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St. A hard copy can be purchased for $22.

Also, comments on the draft are being taken until Wednesday, September 30. Comments can be given to the Planning Department via phone at 336-373-2144 or in person by visiting its office.

For more information, call the Planning Department at 336-373-2144 or visit its Web site at www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/planning.

The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.

# # #

Experience the Fall Equinox in the Beauty of Nature

2009-08-11T05:55:00.000-07:00

Experience a weekend in Abingdon, Virginia and tour Elderspirit co-housing. Cost is $200 includes meals and lodging.

For more information:

Contact:
Monica Appleby
276.698.3289
mappleby@elderspirit.net

Communities Conference at Twin Oaks Community

2009-08-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

An FIC Co-Sponsored Event | August 14-16, 2009

Twin Oaks Community near Louisa, Virginia

The Communities Conference is a networking and learning opportunity for anyone interested or involved in cooperative or communal lifestyles.

Join us for a weekend of sharing and celebration!

With over 25 different communities represented, this conference is a prime opportunity to network amongst other community-minded folks. It is an ideal event for people who are looking for community, as well for those already living in community, to share and learn from each others' experiences. We'll be delving into the nuts and bolts of community with a variety of workshops on topics such as Cooperative Decision-Making, Intentional Relationships, Forming Community, Community Economics, and many more. Children are welcome. The weekend includes a multitude of networking and socializing opportunities, including "Meet the Communities", swimming, and the mudpit. We look forward to seeing you there!

Information and registration:
http://www.communitiesconference.org

Communities Conference
138 Twin Oaks Road
Louisa, VA 23093
conference@twinoaks.org
1-540-894-5126

Meeting Notes from July TICN Gathering

2009-07-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Meeting Notes

Thursday, July 9, 2009 TICN Gathering

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Fellowship Hall
6pm to 7:30pm

The meeting was facilitated by Michiel VanderSommen. Attendees shared their interests in intentional communities, including privacy within community, enabling wholeness in each other, and sharing our lives with people of similar spirit.

Elaine Larson, with Wilkinson & Associates Real Estate, brought copies of multiple listings for local houses currently on the market that may be appropriate for small intentional communities. She also spoke of resources for grants, both local and national, and she will prepare a list of resources to disseminate via e-mail and on the TICN blog. Angela Stewart, of Hand Up Home Ownership Initiative, Inc. shared tips about how to learn our "real" credit scores and improving those scores as they apply to mortgage qualifications. She also taught the group how to pay off mortgages in less time. Both speakers emphasized the importance of gathering documentation and being prepared to "jump" when opportunities arise in the market.

Dan Curry, Interim Director of Housing and Community Development of GSO provided a brief update on housing in GSO. There is an increase in foreclosures, and there is much work is needed to help make GSO friendlier for intentional communities in residential neighborhoods. Although more stimulus funds will be available to GSO in upcoming months, so far we have not even received the ones already approved.

Bobbe Wright reported on the successful clean-up day at the Share-A-Home/Greensboro Cooperative Housing Association/Arlington Park Neighborhood Association house on Randolph Avenue. Dozens of people participated, including members of a Boy Scout troop, a neighborhood church, members from all three organizations partnering on the project, and TICN members. Pictures taken of the event by Bobbe are posted on the TICN blog: http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/

There will be no TICN meeting in August. TICN members are invited to join the Neighborhood Congress in the Nussbaum Room of GSO’s Central Library on August 13 at 7:00 to hear an update about the Downtown Greenway.

The TICN plans to gather on our usual day and time at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, on Thursday September 10 --- 5:30 PM, with agenda starting at 6:00. We anticipate a change in location and meeting time in October, and will let everyone known details in upcoming months.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 TICN Gathering

2009-07-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Where: Presbyterian Church of the

Covenant (501 S. Mendenhall Street in Greensboro, NC), Fellowship Hall

Time: 6pm to 7:30pm

Refreshments provided

Agenda

Welcome and Purpose (3 min)

TICN "Rules of Engagement" or "Dialogue Rules" (5 min)

Round Robin Introductions (10 min)

Speakers with Q & A (40 minutes): Elaine Larson, with Wilkinson & Associates Real Estate, will speak on local housing availabilities for intentional communities as well as explore possibilities for stimulus grants. Angela Stewart, of Hand Up Home Ownership Initiative, Inc. will speak about home buying and ownership, including tips about mortgage qualifications, documentation, home buying processes, and how to pay off mortgages in less time.

TICN Volunteer Reporting: (13 minutes)
Mitch M – Update: Local co-housing initiatives
Carolyn B – Update: Share-A-Home/GSO Cooperative Housing Association/Arlington Park Neighborhood House and Interest in Home-Sharing

Open for TICN gatherers (10 minutes)

Final Announcements (No TICN meeting in August)

Closure (2 minutes)
===================================

Next Formal Meeting is Thursday, September 10 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, at the regular meeting location (in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Greensboro)

There will be a change in October time and date in order allow us to attend the candidates' forum at the Greensboro downtown library on Church Street.

June 11, TICN Gathering Notes

2009-06-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

Attendees expressed their intentional communities interests which included such things as: barrier free housing, aging in place, living more efficiently, and sharing technology.

Speaker Carol Cothern of Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Piedmont (FCAP). Her topic was "Funeral Myths and Consumer Rights in North Carolina." She spoke of '"do it yourself" (DIY) funeral/burial options for North Carolinians including such things as:

* Options to pre-paid burials such as opening a 'payable on death account' at a local financial institution with an assigned beneficiary who would be assigned to pay for funeral arrangements

* A requirement to contact the local health department within 24 hours of a loved ones death in order to receive the death certificate in a timely manner.

* A need to obtain burial transit information from the local health department if taking the deceased out of the state.

* The fact that embalming isn't required or necessary.

* The possibility of burying the deceased on your own land.

* That it is illegal for a funeral home to charge a handling fee just because you choose to purchase the casket from someone other than them.

Anyone can join the membership based Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Piedmont by going to their website at www.funerals.org. Membership is free. Donations are greatly appreciated. You can reach Carol Cothern directly at (336) 852-6190.

TICN Volunteer Committee Reports:

1) Mitch Mitcham gave an update on the Asheville Community Network which has been in existence for close to 3 years. Asheville is a mecca for intentional communities with several housing options, including affordable housing selections at West Court, an urban green community. This group meets the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3:15pm in Asheville.

2) Caroline Manness gave an update on the TICN Virtual Communities project. Michael Vandersommen is assisting with the development of the concept. She brought an area map which members used to designate the location of their homes. Eventually, we hope to use the virtual communities concept as a resource for interest groups, gatherings, and intentional/shared activities.

3) Carolyn Biggerstaff. provided an update on the joint Share-A-Home/Greensboro Cooperative Housing project in Arlington Park at 1241 Randolph Avenue. This home has been gifted to them, along with $5000 to help with the fixing up. There will be a clean up next Saturday, June 20 beginning around 9am. This will include basic clean up of the yard area. Come one come all. Bring large trash bags, gloves, clippers --- any tools to help clean up and shape up.

4) Bobbe Wright, although not present, sent in an update of the now four backyard gardens he has helped other community members with and the contest at www.whatareyousavingfor.com, where his edible yard video is a finalist. Voting ends around June 26th.

During the Open Dialogue portion of the gathering, Ellen Atkins announced a AARP march on Raleigh this Monday at 5:30pm to object to the massive budget cuts. For more information visit the AARP NC website or call Ellen at (336) 706-0281.

Guest speakers for the July meeting are Elaine Larson of Wilkinson and Associates Real Estate (this will be a 10-15 minute show and tell of available/affordable housing in Greensboro that individuals could consider for urban and rural cooperative living) and Angela Stewart of Hand Up Homeownership Initiative,(this will be 15 minute speaking with 10 minutes for questions/answers).
July's TICN gathering will be a Share-A-Produce event. If you have a backyard garden or frequent the farmers market and have something left over, just bring it and share it. Items remaining at the end of the meeting will be gifted to a local group such as the The Hive. .

===========
Other announcements:

If interested in volunteering with the Open Space Program, a group dedicated to protection of open spaces for the county and are also moving into subdivisions for open space protection and use of these areas for common purpose, such as community gardens. visit www.co.guilford.nc.us. ;

For useful communication/updates about TICN visit (http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/).

For useful information on free resources/events visit (http://freetriad.blogspot.com/),.

For TICN/Share-a-Home web, visit http://www.greenandpractical.com/.

Quaker Oats providing grants of $500 are still available to those with ideas to combat hunger in the community. The website is http://quakeroats.promotions.com/gogrants/splash.do.

Asheville Communities Network Meeting for June

2009-06-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

Date: Sunday June 14, 2009
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
Notes: Sunday, June 14, 2009

Asheville Communities Network

Topic: Share and Tell-
(just like grade school BUT… different)

A time to share with others interested in community !
A gathering of folks sharing what we know about community, local communities forming, great books/websites on community, things that are happening, housing models you would like to introduce, your community forming and sharing about it and all things related to community living and desires, announcements, and on and on !
Have something that really works in your community? Please come and share it !

We haven’t had any meeting in a long time that are just sharing without a specific agenda and topic by a speaker. Now is the time to do it. Early summer when things are more relaxed. Bring picnic like food to share with your other communitarians.

Bring handouts, and information to share! We will do a 5 minute go round introduction to present your information and then break out into groups. Specific format to be determined.

Schedule for Sunday, June 14th
Grace Episcopal Church
871 Merrimon Ave
Asheville, NC
Introduction for new folks – 3:15pm
Meeting and sharing 4-5:15 pm
Potluck 5:15- 6 pm
Please bring a dish to share and utensils and plate- save our planet!

June 11, 2009 TICN Gathering

2009-06-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

You are invited to meet with the Triad Intentional Community Network (TICN) on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM --- our usual time and usual place. Newcomers are especially encouraged to come at 5:30 to receive an introduction to intentional communities and our group, but all are welcome at that time.

Please consider joining us at 5:30, bringing a new or gently used household item that you do not need, but which is in good condition and may be exactly what another member can use. In May we brought passalong plants to share. That idea was highly successful, so we are continuing the theme of having a mini freecycle at 5:30, but expanding the idea to include the non-gardeners among us. Anything that is left will be donated to FaithAction International House. At the end of this post, I will include a list of items their clients especially need at this time.

Our regular meeting will begin promptly at 6:00. Our speaker for June is Carol Cothern, the Presiding Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Piedmont (FCAP). Carol will make a short presentation about Funeral Myths and Consumer Rights in North Carolina, allowing time for questions and answers. She will include what people think they have to do at the death of a family member and what is required by law as opposed to what is suggested or required by funeral homes. Much of the presentation includes information about how to “go greener,” as well as how to have a simple, meaningful and less costly funeral.

The Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN) brings together people who are exploring paradigms that offer affordable alternatives to living in isolation or institutionalized settings, especially as we age. We usually meet monthly at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, a large building at the corner of Mendenhall and Walker. To find the fellowship hall, where we meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.

If you have questions, please call Gratia Wright at 336.358.6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272. The draft agenda for the June 11 meeting follows.

Hope to see you this month!
=================
TICN June 11, 2009 Gathering, 6pm to 7:30pm (Agenda)

Welcome and Purpose (3 min)

Dialogue Rules (5 min)

Round Robin Introductions (10 min)

Speaker with Q & A (30 to 35 minutes): Carol Cothern of Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Piedmont (FCAP) “ Funeral Myths and Consumer Rights in North Carolina”

TICN Volunteer Reporting: (20 minutes)-- Mitch M. (Asheville Community Network) 5-- Carolyn B. (Share-A-Home/Greensboro Co-Housing Association) 5-- Carolyn M. (Virtual Communities) 5-- Bobbe W. (Backyard Gardens and Open Space Committee) 5

Open for TICN gatherers (10 minutes)

Final Announcements, Next Meeting (3 minutes)

Closure (2 minutes)

==============

Suggested items to bring to share with each other --- and for FaithAction International House Clients:
Lamps
Side tables
flatware
dishes
pots (4 qts and up) and pans
mixing and serving bowls
kitchen utensils
food storage containers
can openers
rice cookers
towels
sheets - twin, full and queen
alarm clocks
paper, pens, pencils
FaithAction clients can always use cleaning utensils and supplies, diapers, and personal hygiene items also.

2009 National Cohousing Conference

2009-05-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

The 2009 National Cohousing Conference is in Seattle June 24-28 at the University of Washington. Register Now, before the best deals sell out.
Last chance for a dorm room?

Today, May 28 is the deadline to sign up for a University of Washington dorm room using our registration system. After that date, there is no guarantee of room availability and you may need to stay in a hotel or make other arrangements.

EVENTS UNDER $100 INCLUDE...
$20 Cohousing 101, 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Fri, Jun 26 Ideal for newcomers - come learn about the history of cohousing and receive an introduction to the development process. Learn about the roles of key participants and all that cohousing jargon. Tips about how to get the most out of your conference experience. This session is a must for any first-timer to the conference or anybody who just wants to start learning.
$60 Seattle Cohousing Bus Tour, 8:30am - 12:00pm AND 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Thu, June 25 Visit the three cohousing communities in the City of Seattle, Puget Ridge (23 homes on 3 acres), Duwamish (23 homes on 3 acres), and Jackson Place (27 homes on 2 acres). This rolling workshop is a great way to see three real-world examples of cohousing.
$60 Serving Your Larger Community: through Video, Photos, and the Web, 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Wed, June 24 It is important to do what you love, and share what you know. Learn about real-world examples of how Sustainable Communities (cohousing, co-ops, ecovillages and transition towns) serve as living laboratories for the worldwide sustainability movement. This workshop is being led by Mandy Creighton and Ryan Mlynarczyk, who are on a 12,000 miles bike-packing trip around the US on a journey to visit and document people living in sustainable communities of all types.
$60 Social Permaculture, 8:30am - 12:00pm on Wed, Jun 24 The focus of this skills-building workshop with Margo Adair and Bill Aal is developing creative ways to apply a permaculture framework and appreciative principles to community life. Get ideas on how to support your community to develop deeper connections and to function more effectively.
$60 The Timeline Game, 8:30am - 12:00pm on Thu, June 25 Is cohousing development really something my group and I can realistically do? Before getting in too deeply, come find out - now. Play the Cohousing Timeline Game to answer many questions about the development process (this was a very popular workshop at the 2008 Conference).
$60 The Right Site, 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Thu, June 25 Choosing the right site is vital for a successful cohousing community. Learn about the site search process, recording your efforts to share with others, and evaluating sites for actual development. Laura Fitch and Chris ScottHanson are very experienced cohousing professionals who can help save you tremendous grief (and money).
$60 Designing super eco-cohousing, start to finish, 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Fri, June 26 Beginning with site analysis concepts, you'll then move through a participatory design process. Learn about integrated systems design, including passive solar, passive cooling, solar, thermal, pv, ground source heat pumps, rainwater collection, greywater reuse, blackwater treatment, and maybe even a little food production.
$60 Antidotes to Five Common Kinds of Community Conflict, 1:30pm - 5:00pm on Fri, June 26 With lively exercises, humorous musical skits, and vivid anecdotes about real problems and their successful solutions in healthy, thriving communities (and cautionary tales from those that failed), Diana Leafe Christian focuses on skills for building trust and connection and reducing conflict in existing cohousing communities as well as in forming groups.
$75 Fund-raising Banquet, Saturday, June 27 Our annual banquet is THE place to network with activists and professionals while enjoying good food, music, dancing, and other activities. This event features a desert dash, restaurant frenzy, raffle, and our live auction - check out the wonderful auction items, some of which will sell at terrific prices - Coho-Expert Visits, Coho-Vacations, Fun Stuff and more. See the Online Auction Catalog for details.
$95 Getting it Built, 8:30am - 5:00pm on Wed, Jun 24 This workshop with Katie McCamant, who co-authored Cohousing, gives participants an overview of organizing, planning, and designing a cohousing community. Come learn from the lessons of other cohousing groups. The workshop covers it all and is a MUST for forming groups.
$95 Consensus Decision-Making, 8:30am - 5:00pm on Fri, Jun 26 Tree Bressen is a well-known facilitation and process trainer. In this workshop, she offers a coherent approach to both theory and practice, explaining what you need to know to bring together the wisdom of the group for the best possible decisions.
FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Until June 8, conference registration is $375. Then it increases to $425. Includes the Friday Keynote Speech and Reception, Saturday Plenary, your choice of many breakout sessions, Saturday Banquet, and the Sunday Closing Address. Register now to join us for all or part of the conference.
CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPSIf you want to attend either the Saturday-only or full conference and the cost of registration is holding you back, please consider applying for a partial scholarship. It's fast and easy, see 2009 Scholarships.

=====
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TICN May 14 Gathering Notes

2009-05-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

TICN Founder and Visionary, Mitch Mitcham facilitated. The theme for the meeting was Share-a-Plant and a multitude of varieties were freely and abundantly available.

Speaker Alex Ashton, the Guilford County Open Space Planner and John Young, Chair of the Guilford County Open Space Committee, presented Their topic was "Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County: Protecting Forests, Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife for Future Generations." They spoke of protection of open spaces for the county and are also moving into subdivisions for open space protection and use of these areas for common purpose, such as community gardens. The Open Space Program is a 9 member volunteer citizen committee and one staff person using funding from voter approved bond funds in 2004 to preserve open space. For more information about the program or to volunteer, visit http://www.co.guilford.nc.us./

Greensboro Cooperative Housing and Share-a-Home team up. A home in Arlington Park (1241 Randolph St) has been gifted to them, along with $5000 to help with the fixing up. Look for more on this miraculous unveiling soon.

A very respected friend of intentional communities visited with us, Mirta Das. He announced that on this Friday evening at 7 PM (tonight) at the same location we have out monthly TICN meetings (Church of the Covenant on Mendenhall in the Fellowship Hall), there will we a gathering where a delicious meal will be served and a kirtan performance ( musical chanting ). And a special guest speaker Bhakti Charu Swami, a highly respected sannyasi, scholar and international spiritual teacher.

TICN member Caroline Maness discussed her virtual communities concept. She brought an area map which members used to designate the location of their homes. Eventually, we hope to use the virtual communities concept as a resource for interest groups, gatherings, and intentional/shared activities.

Two Interest Groups created in April's meeting of : 1) New backyard gardeners, facilitated by TICN member Bobbe Wright are up and running...two budding backyard gardeners utilized his assistance in starting no dig gardens and miniature grape vineyards and 2) local real estate opportunities for starting small co-housing/intentional living arrangements, facilitated by TICN member Elaine Larson @ (336) 965-0271. Please contact them if you want to join their Interest Group.

Spreading the word out about TICN resources and gatherings: Gratia Wright gave an update on the TICN/Share-a-Home blog, useful for communication/updates (http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/), the Free Triad blog, useful for locating free resources/events to share with others (http://freetriad.blogspot.com/), and and Michiel VanderSommen gave an update on the TICN/Share-a-Home web (available at http://www.greenandpractical.com/).

Quaker Oats providing grants of $500 are still available to those with ideas to combat hunger in the community. The website is http://quakeroats.promotions.com/gogrants/splash.do.

TICN monthly gathering on June 11 will be a Share-A-Freebie or mini-free cycle event. Bring your new or almost new item you would like to gift to someone else. Items remaining at the end of the meeting will be gifted to a local group such as the FaithAction International House.

May TICN Gathering Agenda

2009-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

Triad Intentional Communities Network
(TICN)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Agenda 6pm to 7:30pm

Welcome and Mission Statement (3 minutes)

Round Robin Introductions (5 minutes)

Speakers (25 minutes)

"Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County: Protecting Forests, Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife for Future Generations." Alex Ashton, the Guilford County Open Space Planner and John Young, Chair of the Guilford County Open Space Committee

Questions/Answers (15 minutes)

TICN Update (25 minutes)

 Survey, Website, Blog --- Gratia Wright and Michiel VanderSommen
 Greensboro Cooperative Housing Association/Share-A-Home New House --- Gail Stroud
 Real Estate Committee -- Elaine Larson
 Backyard Gardens Committee – Bobbe Wright
 Home Share concept -- Carolyn Biggerstaff
 Future Speakers

Where do we live? Discussion about starting “virtual” communities in our own back yards ----- Caroline Maness (10 minutes)

Closing and Announcements (7 minutes)

Remember: This is share-a-plant in May at TICN. So if you are in need of a plant for your garden or for your porch you will have some good ones to choose from. And if you have a plant to share, by all means bring it with you!
===
TICN meets the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30, at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in GSO.

The Church is a large building at the corner of Mendenhall and Walker. To find the fellowship hall, where we will meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.Please feel free to invite others along with you.

For more information, please use the Contact Us form below.

Greetings from Carolyn about Share-A-Plant in May

2009-05-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Triad Intentional Community Supporters,

Many of us are gardeners --- whether on our patios, in our kitchen windows, or in our yards. This time of year, we often divide plants and dig up volunteers that have been planted by the birds, breezes, or other resources provided by Mother Nature. We would like to offer an alternative to composting your excess. You are invited to dig up some of your favorites and bring them to the the May TICN meeting to share with others. We want to give you several weeks notice so there is plenty of time to prepare for this opportunity to share your gifts. If you have plants to share or you would like to receive a new addition for your garden --- or both --- please join us at 5:30 on May 14th at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in the fellowship hall. We will have tables ready for your plants.

An agenda for the May meeting will be post in a few weeks. We are very pleased that Alex Ashton, the Guilford County Open Space Planner and John Young, Chair of the Guilford County Open Space Committee, will both be presenters at the TICN on May 14th! Their topic is "Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County: Protecting Forests, Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife for Future Generations." They plan to present for 25 minutes, and will be available to answer questions.

Blessings to all,
Carolyn
336.852.6272

2009-04-15T14:02:00.001-07:00

Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN) Thursday, April 9, 2009 Notes

*Alex Ashton, the Guilford County Open Space Planner and John Young, Chair of the Guilford County Open Space Committee, will be presenters at the TICN on Thursday May 14th at 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30) in the fellowship hall of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (corner of Walker Ave and S. Mendenhall St in Greensboro). Their topic is "Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County: Protecti ng Forests, Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife for Future Generations." To find the fellowship hall, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office.

*April Speaker Charlie Headington emphasized ways backyard/community gardens create intentional communities. His focus was on permaculture or no-till gardening (the worms do the tilling) with details on how small urban green spaces create an abundant harvest all year long.

*Discussion about the potential for shared housing projects in the Triad which connect local nursing students and the elderly. A similar home-share program currently exists in Vermont.

*Greensboro Cooperative Housing is helping to end homelessness. For less than $5000, the group has placed eight individuals in a safe and permanent shelter. Wouldn’t it be great to hear from them during an upcoming TICN summer-time gathering?

*Thanks to TICN volunteers the website is up and running (www.greenandpractical.com/TICN.htm) and Interest Survey is on the TICN blog (http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/)

*Quaker Oats providing grants of $500 to those with ideas to combat hunger in the community. The website is http://quakeroats.promotions.com/gogrants/splash.do

If interested, submit online application form with a 150 word or less description20of project that will help combat hunger in your community. Selection committee reviews the applications submitted each month and award Quaker Go Grants based on originality/uniqueness, relevance to fighting hunger, and potential impact on community/individuals involved.

*Two Interest groups created: 1) New backyard gardeners and 2) Those interested in local real estate opportunities for starting small co-housing/intentional living arrangements. Please contact TICN member Bobbe @ (336) 681-0185 for backyard garden help and TICN member Elaine @ (336) 965-0271 for assistance with real estate, including financing options.

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The Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN) brings together people who are exploring paradigms that offer affordable alternatives to living in isolati on or institutionalized settings, especially as we age. Please feel free to call Gratia Wright at 336.358-6008 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272 if you have questions.

Breaking News:
Let your voice be heard. Go to the blog http://triadicnetwork.blogspot.com/
and share your opinion. Who would you like to hear from at future TICN meetings… what activities in the Triad you’d like to see the TICN help with…let your voice be heard.

Welcome

2009-03-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

The Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN) brings together folks who are interested in an eco-friendly wise use of land, service to others, and economic sustainability. Intentional communities (co-housing) offer independent living in a social setting with peers who share common values. We are exploring paradigms that offer an affordable alternative to living in isolation or institutionalized settings, especially as we age.

Take a minute and look around. And before you leave take a few minutes to answer the survey at the bottom of this post.

Thanks!

Click here to take the Intentional Community Interest Survey

When and Where does the TICN meet?

2009-03-27T14:57:00.001-07:00

TICN meets the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30, at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in GSO.

The Church is a large building at the corner of Mendenhall and Walker. To find the fellowship hall, where we will meet, park at the back of the church, in front of the entrance labeled "After Gateway". The door to the fellowship hall, which is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office, will be unlocked.Please feel free to invite others along with you.

For more information, please use the Contact Us form below.

Notes from March 2009 Monthly Gathering

2009-03-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

Speaker Jonathan Peterson, field organizer with Democracy North Carolina including a question and answer period.

Discussion of Interest Survey. Attendees requested revised survey given to Carolyn Biggerstaff for distribution prior to April 2009 meeting.

Future meetings will continue to take place on the second Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant.

Greensboro Parks and Recreation Website soon to include share-a- tool.

Thursday, April 9 at the monthly TICN we have Charlie Headington, Ph.D. as guest speaker. Charlie teaches others about sustainable living, that is, how to build community with nature and one another. He offers classes and workshops, practical ideas and designs for restoring and greening our cities, farms, schools, and homes. Charlie teaches earth matters at UNCG, conducts Permaculture workshops, coordinates and teaches Edible Schoolyards, and speaks and consults throughout the state and beyond.