The Vision

COMMUNITY
— Egalitarianism will be our greatest ideal. Every resident of Dryad’s Realm will have equal status with every other resident. There will be no guru’s or cult personalities among us. The community will gather on a monthly basis to discuss business matters, and decisions will be made by consensus. The execution of the business of the community will be performed by a committee of three who serve as “clerk”, treasurer and secretary.

Each resident will share equally in the work of maintaining the community’s property, though some residents may be more adept at some tasks than others. Residents who have specialized skills will be expected to share those skills with the community, should those skills be applicable to the maintenance of the communities property.

The community will attempt to procure a group health care, dental, etc., plan for all the residents, which will also be paid for by the community. Perhaps even a special group auto insurance rate if possible, and/or a small fleet of vehicles, rather  than residents owning their own. Profits from community sponsored business(es) will be distributed equally among all community members.

COMPASSION
— Dryad’s Realm will be host to Neo-Pagan Elders who find themselves homeless, or jobless, or otherwise without support, regardless of tradition or affiliation. These are folks who have been giving and giving of themselves for years, and this is our way of giving back. Those who enter this program will remain among us until such time as they can once again find self-sufficiency, or until Pagan community at large gets a clue and starts supporting (i.e., offering salaries) to those who give so much, yet receive so little.

BUSINESS
—  Dryad’s Realm will serve the greater Pagan community by operating
a clothing optional resort/camp ground where individuals and
or groups can stay on the property for conventions, workshops
or the like. It would be expected that these types of gatherings
would happen during the summer months mostly on weekends.
The remainder of the time the communes’ guest facilities would
be open for use by any Pagan who wishes, much like a motel.
There will be a swimming pool, hot tubs and an exercise facility
for the use of both guests and residents. Dominating the property
will be a 60 foot geodesic * dome . This will be the central indoor
meeting place, conference facility and all purpose room. It will
be equipped with a kitchen, and guests will be able to get meals
there if they choose not to cook for themselves.

Available facilities will include: a 100 space campground with a shower house; 25 adjacent RV spaces; and ten guest domes. It has been determined that if the commune has no more than 20 residents, than they could derive a good portion of their living from running the hospitality aspect of the community, if open six months per year and averaging a 50 percent occupancy. Residents should only have to work only four hours per day 5 days per week on average (more if there were a big convention using
the facilities).

Twenty residences ( 30 ft. geodesic * domes  OR Yurts) would be spread across the back, nonpublic side of the property. Hot tubs and ritual ¨
space would be in easy walking distance for all.

Dryad’s Realm will be a
community of people who love and care for one another and the Earth. Everyone will leave their feelings of jealousy, racism, classism, sexism, homophobia and other societal sicknesses behind.

Children of residents will be considered the children of all, though an individual child’ s parents will have primary responsibility. All residents will share equally the burden of raising and educating them. The community may eventually have it’s own school system (built perhaps on the Montessori or Waldorf models). It is expected that the community will share in the cost of sending it’s children to college or trade school.

Dryad’s Realm will serve as the nexus for the Pagan community of Humboldt County. Residents will be drawn from various Pagan traditions represented in the general area. The facilities of the community will be available for use by local Covens, Groves or Circles for their rituals and other events. All Pagan traditions will be welcomed and embraced by both the residents and the visitors of Dryad’s Realm. SMIB!

BUSINESS PLAN FOR DRYADS REALM REDWOOD RETREAT

Related articles:

• What’s True About Intentional Communities: Dispelling the Myths 
• Intentional Communities: Lifestyles Based on Ideals
• What is an Intentional Community?