Over the years I’ve met many people in the community movement who have been my inspiration and education. I’ve been fortunate to have a few right in my own backyard (so to speak). Here are profiles of 3 such people who have been instrumental in my quest for Community:
LEADER IN ECOVILLAGES AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES
Diana Leafe Christian breathes, writes and lives about community, specifically, Ecovillages and Intentional Communities. “Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life.” (Source).
She doesn’t just write about it, she lives in one in Black Mountain, NC called Earthaven (www.Earthaven.org). This community was formed in 1995 and is now up to 55 full-time residents with diversity in age and background.
Living in an Ecovillage is not just about being sustainable but also how to get along and make decisions. Diana teaches workshops and writes about “Sociocracy,” a way of consensus building in community. To get an idea of what it means, you can view a Youtube video here, “Diana Leafe Christian – Decision-making in communities + intro to Sociocracy 1“.
All of those seeking to learn about or who live in community have probably come across Communities Magazine. Diana was the editor from 1993 – 2007. In addition to editing, Diana also published several books about Ecovillages and Intentional Communities. Her books are considered the “bible” for community (click on titles to view on Amazon):
Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities
Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or Intentional Community
What more can I say? How fortunate am I to have her this close?
LEADER IN DEVELOPING COMMUNITY TOOLS FOR COLLABORATION
Zelle Nelson and Maureen McCarthy are a dynamic couple I met over 1o years ago while on my search for alternatives to lawyers and litigation in community forming documents. They live in Western Carolina in the small town of Flat Rock. They are the founders of The Blueprint of WE (initially known as the “State of Grace Document) that later became The Center for Collaborative Awareness. The Blueprint of WE is a collaboration tool that can be used by businesses, in family, in groups and of course, in community. It starts with you and custom designs a collaboration process for building together and is a guide when conflicts arise. You might think of a relationship as you and another person but with the Blueprint of WE, it’s “You, Me and WE.” 
I encourage anyone who wishes to have better collaboration and communication in any personal, community or business endeavor to explore this fabulous tool.
