Local communities are made up of passionate people and organizations. People tend to form organizations, grow businesses, and end up working in local government in areas of community that interest them. People’s passions can be around food, arts and culture, business, education, health, spirituality, environment, and much more.We have identified 12 build blocks of community, what we call 12 Common Needs of community. We did this as way to acknowledge that our local communities are forming organizations around these passions, creating value in local and broader markets, but it is very hard in our culture of separation to grow when we are isolated.Our strategy is to help you form symbiotic networks in each of the 12 common needs areas, building whole ecosystems, releasing hidden assets, then link these 12 networks into a new community network that focuses on strengthening the bioregion.
Local Economy
- Strengthen the Local Economy―part of “economic re-localization”—keeping dollars recycling in the local bioregion and increasing the “local economic multiplier” creating more jobs; contributions of money and volunteers to local non-profits; spending to other local businesses; increase tax base for public finding of local infrastructure“Think Local First” campaign/network with other partner groups like all the Chambers of Commerce, all the existing business networking groups, etc.Practice mindful behavior in business that connects shared values, principles, service, ecological concern, and puts people first
Local Food
- Increase local, healthy, sustainable food production and consumption of food—the “localization” and regeneration of food production in your local regionAwareness of importance of local food, community well-being, and community connection to the EarthIncrease connections amongst the local food system, building a marketplace
Local Energy
- Encouraging a sustainable and self-reliant energy future for our community.Increase local production of renewable energy and consumption of energy―the “localization” of energy production in our local regionIncrease energy conservation efforts
Neighbor to Neighbor
- Being of service to our neighbors wherever we may find them—next door, at work, throughout the community, and world.Making “Love Thy Neighbor” a practical reality right on your street.Activate core groups on your street to grow more food in backyards, share tools, and resources with nearby neighbors.
Community empowerment of People on the Margins
- Networking organizational resources and skills so that ALL community members can help themselves meet their basic needs, e.g., homeless, elderly, children, and youth.A community-wide campaign to end homelessness, poverty, and hunger by 2030 in your areaIncrease access to capital to low-income families to start businesses and own homesIncrease access to health and dental care
Arts and Culture
- Connect the passions and perspectives of our arts organizations and businesses through arts and cultural activities.Encourage the arts and culture community to represent the values and principles of Symbiotic Culture in new art and performance productionsEncourage the arts and culture community to participate in using art and cultural forms to help those on the “margins”—for example, visiting the thousands of seniors in assisting living
Clean and Healthy Environment
- System wide network of all organizations who care about the regeneration of the environment, climate, animals, plants, water, energy conservation, waste and recycling, etc.Public awareness of “stewardship” as a way of lifeIncrease the quality of air and water―focus on decreasing pollutants introduced into the environment
Education/Massive Mentoring
- Encouraging life-long learning for all members of our community and proving opportunities for relationships to develop through mentoring.Lifelong spiritual, personal, and professional growthEncourage participation in existing lifelong learning opportunities through extension courses at local community colleges and universitiesBe a catalyst to encourage the formation of new small groups/classes/workshops involved in sharing their skills with each other to build community
Family and Community Health and Wellness
- Promoting the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of families and our community through daily practices of healthy livingFamily and close relationships are the bedrock of communityStrengthen families―communication skills, non-violent communication, and spirituality; parenting skills, family budgeting, savings, and getting out of debt
Affordable Housing and Infrastructure
- Providing affordable; safe; and/or “green” housing for all of our communityIncrease percentage of affordable housingIntegrate renewable energy and food production into new developmentsIncrease percentage of home ownership
Community Peace and Safety
- Providing safety to our community by increasing the connections amongst neighbors and with community organizations, and by fostering goodwill in our communityPeace is a byproduct of practicing the values personally, within families, and throughout the communityRecruit young people and others as a force of “peacemakers”
Spirit and Service
- Connect all religious, spiritual, and secular groups around their current and planned involvement in being of service to the broader community. ie. Work with homeless, hunger, poverty, clothing, housing, energy, etc.Create ongoing multi-faith community network