Nothing new here

Nothing new here, everything is the same.  Just a lot of meditation and contemplation.  The family is preparing to move.  That's all.  It's just another pushing-away experience.  It's another sweeping under the carpet event.  Make sure we all become of aware of how community is built.  This is how it is NOT done.
I said from the beginning, there is NO COMMUNITY - AS OF YET.  All it is - an assortment of Kevin's old-time cronies who are taking over the NEFA land and unilaterally changing it to suit their own needs... no community.  People far and wide are starting to sort this out.  They are figuring it out.
First they came for the indigenous Indians, then they came for the Palestinians, then they came for us... the gentrification will continue. 

How to form a community? Otherwise known as a progressive movement.

Let's start with this example:  Associated individuals and Northeast Farm Access company advertises its mission to the public through its website and the media.  The message in its mission is that of a progressive movement, full of good intentions.  They offer 30 year farm leases to smallscale farmers.  Read that: 30 years, NOT 30 WEEKS.

The guarantee of longterm access to the land, which cannot be bought, is on the surface, a tempting lure.  It's also a compromise, if you don't do it, you the farmer may not be able to farm at all.  Those pitiful souls who have been in this critical situation, know the suffering of the landless peasant.  The deal is much more appealing and lucrative to the Company's investor/partners, than it is to the poor farmers.  After you crunch the numbers, it becomes apparent.

There are two versions of the community story

Continuation of previous post, the analysis of the duality  http://blog.preservationprotocol.com/2018/07/analysis-by-resident-philosopher-ahgamen.html

The first version can be added unto, in this manner...
"Nascent farm worker community is forming in Upstate New York" and establishing a harmonious relationship between holding company/owners and cooperative LLC/farmer collective.

PRESERVATION PROTOCOL LTD. CO.

New name of entity being launched at an auspicious time.  Our community can now operate under the legal name of Preservation Protocol (llc)  More members are signing-on each week and new people are welcome to enquire. Leave a comment here or email at historyfdr@gmail.com

The background of Preservation Protocol is that it was a business formed in 1999 between Ahgamen and Jeweleyah Walsh.  It was filed in New York at Dutchess County in 2004 by Peter Tasciotti. It was expanded recently to include many more founding members for the new phase, in these crucial times.  The Earth needs us!

Discussions were made with Valeria Gheorghiu and it seems that she is unable to represent us, because there may be a precedent set by her initial consultation with NEFA/Dominik.  This is an uncertainty of legal protocol so it is better to err on the side of caution.  She has given us a great referrence and we are exploring that new option as well as other sources of legal counsel. 

Dagen has recommended a mediation

Dagen has kindly recommended a follow-up mediation meeting.  He became aware of the ongoing nature of the conflict here at Maybrook and communicated with Ahgamen and Michelle recently.  So we are considering this opportunity for real community growth and development.  This is how it really happens.

The main obstacle is that we cannot interact directly.  As per the Protection Order with the state authorities, Michelle and Ahgamen are protected from harassment by Kevin Skvorak.  I think that other people who are "siding with" Kevin can communicate for him.  That's because the gang of four think alike.

We shall see if this will be scheduled, although we are willing as long as it is positive and constructive.  We also would require that the meeting be video-recorded and those who do not want to appear, can sit off-camera.  We however will be in full camera, as we have nothing to hide.  The documentation is for learning and posterity purposes.

Michael Johnson GANAS would behoove us

GANAS Intentional Community: Michael Johnson, core member, painting coordinator. Michael Johnson is Quoted verbatim from a video interview on Ubraintv.com About why people are scared to communicate directly
 "WE WERE VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY PEOPLE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER, SO THEY CAN SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS THAT THEY NEED TO SOLVE IN ORDER TO WORK TOGETHER.  THEY HAD THESE EXPERIENCES IN WORKPLACES, AND VOLUNTEER PROJECTS, ETC.  AND SO THAT WAS WHAT WE DID FOR A VERY LONG TIME WAS TO REALLY TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF TALKING TO EACH OTHER HONESTLY."  cf. http://www.ubraintv.com/watch.php?id=740

It seems that one of the problems within the overall situation at Maybrook Lodge and Solidarity Farm (which is under the auspices of Ganas, as an early ally or customer/client of the farm produce) is the difficulty of communication, i.e. talking to each other honestly, without fear of doing so, or any other kind of overwhelming fear.   My name is Ahgamen, I will cite several examples:  Dominick is not present, he does not reside at Maybrook, which makes it difficult to communicate.  I have not communicated with him since the initial agreement phase.  I have experienced a variety of secondhand communications, nothing directly; obviously he has also experienced the same, it is mutual.  Any communication between Dominick and my family are indirect and secondhand.  Therefore, it is lack of communication, possibly obstruction.  Is it an instance of fear?  Maybe in the obvious meaning and also in an interconnected way, because the persons doing direct communication with Dominick do not want any other persons having communication.

That is a case of compartmentalization and a case of chain of command.  That's what it is.  That is the hierarchy.  That has been a part of the informal agreement.  However, only in the ideal scenario, it will suffice.  In times of trouble or dispute, it will not suffice at all.  Communications need to be opened.

I am sure that Michael Johnson and Ganas community were involved with exploring and figuring out exactly that issue with human interactions.  What did they find out?  Have no idea about that.  I do not know much at all about the findings of Ganas and what is entailed in their "matriarchy" or otherwise core group.

Another example of fear is the manner in which Tanyth and Richard and Permilla try to communicate with Michelle and Ahgamen and their family and Haum and Edmund and Michael etc.  They (the Solidarity farm gang of four) became so fear-based that they will not communicate, will not have meetings, will not have it recorded, and will not discuss anything rationally.  Their conclusion is to tell anybody else to just go away, just leave, just be gone, shoo, good riddance!  Is that communication or the fear of communication?

On WHY to communicate

Communication is the key to bring a group together in harmony.  So far, nobody from the other side of the group has decided it worth their while to communicate herein.  That's a shame, I think. This resistance to communicate is part of the problem with communities..  and surely it would be easier to build trust and familiarity through this gift of communicating.

If indeed all the other adults want to just be LURKERS and be silent, then that's their choice.  If the readers want to lurk and read without reciprocation, then so be it. 

I will continue to communicate my ideas and my experiences here, along with others who are willing and who find it useful and friendly to do so.

Shout-out to Friends who are interested in the Plans

Hi everybody!!!  What a journey we are on.  The spiritual path... goes onwards...

Seeking to find community, or cooperative?  Or both, and more.

Meeting announced

A tentative meeting has been planned for next Tuesday, June 19, 2018, which will be facilitated by Dagan of the regional community (not yet of our local, land-based resident community - it should be specified).  Dagan first visited on Wednesday June 13. He has been living in the region for many years and has a lot of experience with intentional community.  He is also skilled at being a mediator.  In that sense, there is an aspect to the meeting with Dagan that will be a mediation between Kevin and additional leadership/management.

The topics of the meeting will be:  community living, developing the cooperative, initiating new members, conflict resolution, privacy, integrity, family, relationships, and improving communication within the local community (among other topics).  Anybody with an interest in this community and developing the future cooperative is invited to attend.

Ahgamen hopes that all attendees will be patient and polite and respectful during the meeting.  The time and exact schedule is TBA.

The category and position of Haum, guest of Michelle and Ahgamen

As a continuation of the diagram exploration, example #7 is given of Haum, a guest from June 10 to June 11.

Haum was invited and vetted by Michelle and Ahgamen because of the obvious and stated need for more workers.  He did arrive into the area and was given transportation by Ahgamen, after using the train and bus.
Haum and Ahgamen and then Michelle were informed by Kevin that there is no paid work for any other laborers, there is no process yet there needs to be a process for visitors and guests and applicants/new members.  Prior to that date, June 10, there was no defined call for process or the urgency that there must be a process.  In fact, when others were asked in regards to Mervyn or Katie, for example, there was some discussion and only a rudimentary informal process.
Now there is a definite call for process to be in effect, as of June 10 and this website contains the efforts and work upon that necessary function of the community, such that it will be established and become a legal cooperative.
Because of the disagreement, Haum had been asked to pack up his tent and to leave by Kevin.  Haum was in the camping area, under development, on the eastside of the land.  Therefore Haum informed Michelle and Ahgamen that he would have to depart, needing a ride to transportation/trains, to leave the area.  Ahgamen did coordinate a plan of exit for Haum.  This is unfortunate because he (and two others on the way) were ready and willing to become full-time workers at the community, the place, and the cooperative-forming.  Ahgamen figured out how to help Haum to leave but not before several things happened, one of which was a meeting for communication and status of the community.

During the meeting on June 11 afternoon, with Tanyth and Kevin facilitating and about 10 community in attendance, Haum was asked about his intentions.  He was also asked about background, including his history with children and possible molestation.  Ahgamen stated that this was a ridiculous approach, because nobody else was confronted in that way for crimes or any other past personal information.  It seems that the status of Haum is that he was a guest with mixed reception, departing in good-standing with possible future membership. 
This points to the need for a fair and transparent and legally-based background check and vetting process and deciding who is in the department for responsible safe-keeping of this personal information.  There should be an office/admin department for this process/function of the community.  If there is not, it will probably lead to additional and ongoing confusion. 

(IMO) It's a problem with a solution.  I'm asking that all present community members, whether resident or not, shall be inquired of their background in a similar line of questioning for info, retroactively.  Ahgamen is suggesting that there be a formalized on-paper method of doing so.  Ahgamen is suggesting that there be a physical office for admin of this function to be created ASAP.  Ahgamen is volunteering to help with the work and effort and responsibility of this department for the community and the cooperative-forming.  Ahgamen is thinking that this is a priority before any additional work is conducted and any progress on the cooperative is made, this will be a major component in the evolution of the whole project.

All that second the motion, say "Aye".

If this is not agreed upon, then it would seem that Ahgamen's incentive to help with the additional labor requirements was wasted.  If this is not agreed upon and dealt-with by group consensus, then it remains that there is no process and that there is discrimination going-on.  No one else was treated in the manner that Haum was treated.  Ahgamen finds that the community could improve and function more effectively and successfully if this issue is resolved.

Haum is thankful to the community for his experience, although he stated he does not want to return in the near future.  He disagrees with the community's methods of interacting with guests and he has his previous organic farming community that he can resume with.  The three people, including himself, who would be new members are now on-hold and delayed as a result.

Overall, this can be used as a test-case.  There is a lot to be learned.

What are the categories that exist in the community, for codification in the cooperative by-laws

What are the categories that exist in the community, for codification in the cooperative by-laws?   These are all or most of the categories and subdivisions which do exist in and of the community; as of this initial review currently, circa June 2018, by Ahgamen.

By using the three columns, we can identify the status of each individual according to three aspects of interaction with the community.  By using the three or four rows, we can identify the status according to application, acceptance by group consensus.  Each and every individual will belong to multiple areas, at least one in the columns and at least one in the rows.  This is not a linear or one-dimensional perspective on our experiences; this is a multi-dimensional analysis, giving us a bigger picture of all the interactions and possibilities.

Let's take several specific individuals and find their position by using the diagram.
For example, Kevin S.:

Community category of Kevin S.

In the above diagram, the colourized areas designate what type is this individual.  Kevin is according to the first column: a resident, full-time.  He is in the second column: a worker, full-time.  He is also being paid and has decision-making with the funding monies.

Example #2, Nadette:

Example #3, Dominick:

Example #4, Valeria:

Example #5, Michelle:

Example #6, Katie:

There is a need for more exploration.  These are rough diagrams for informational purposes only.

Joining a community and cooperative

Hello friends and fans of Solidarity Farm at Maybrook Lodge,

Seeds are in the ground!

We are growing vegetables AND creating a partnership/cooperative with Dominik (the exisiting owner) working towards taking title ownership of the property by July. To this end, we had a successful first meeting with Dominik, Kevin and lawyer, Valeria A. Gheorghui, on May 11th. Kevin and Nadette connected with our beloved Jim Johnson (a friend of Ganas with expertise with cooperatives) and we look forward to consulting with him again, after a second meeting with Dominik and Valeria, where we plan to invite potential stake holders to the table.

According to Kevin:

“We need to find the right legal structure(s) that allows us to:

1) Own the land in partnership with the current owner in a democratic way - something that allows for his majority ownership stake (for now) while giving all shareholders equal voting, regardless of percentage of ownership.

2) Create sweat equity ownership opportunity

Some people involved will be equity owners but not workers, others will be equity owners and workers, and some will be workers but not necessarily equity owners at first, but maybe over time as the worker ownership share grows.”

If you liked us on Facebook - THANK YOU! Today we reached 100 likes - WOO HOO!

If you haven’t liked us on Facebook, please do!

https://www.facebook.com/SolidarityFarmatMaybrook/

Also follow us on Instagram: solidarity_farm

and most importantly

JOIN US!  COME TO THE MEETINGS!  VISIT THE FARM!

NEXT UP

1) NEXT FARM MEETING:

MONDAY EVENING  MAY 21, 2018

7 PM

Thank you to ELLERY HOUSE, an intentional community in North Bed-Stuy, for hosting the meeting!

ELLERY HOUSE

197 Ellery St, Brooklyn, NY 11206-5205

Agenda (TBD)

PLEASE RSVP

2) MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND OPEN HOUSE/CELEBRATION/POTLUCK AND BBQ

FRIDAY MAY 25 - MONDAY MAY 28, 2018

FACEBOOK INVITE: https://www.facebook.com/events/221352528641884/?active_tab=about

Share invite liberally!

People should feel free to come anytime, work, play, eat, mingle, bring food to share, bring drinks to share, bring friends or just bring yourself - WE WILL WELCOME YOU!

Saturday - Work Day

Sunday  - Potluck and BBQ

Informational Meetings - TBA

Potential Stake Holders Meeting - TBA

Tours - TBA

Spontaneous Dance Parties - TBA

Campfires - TBA

Music Jams - TBA

Carpools to Water holes - TBA

Solidarity Farm at Maybrook Lodge

5728 Route 209

Kerhonkson, NY 12446

Kevin: 347-820-2947

This will be a great weekend to visit and get involved, PLEASE JOIN US!

If you plan to make the trip up from the NYC area and do at least 2 hours of work, please note that Dominik has graciously offered to sponsor anyone coming up by bus, in order to support the use of public transportation. That means you will be reimbursed for your bus ticket.

There are buses from Port Authority via ShortLine: www.shortlinebus.com that go directly to Kerhonkson. One way fare is $32 and RT is $64. The "official" stop in Kerhonkson in the Sunoco Mart 6337 Rt 209. We had previously written that you can request that the bus driver drop you off at Maybrook Lodge, 5728 Route 209, THIS IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT CORRECT!

However, if you call Kevin, we can get someone to pick you up at the Sunoco Mart.

If anyone is planning to drive up, keep Nadette in the loop. So she can coordinate car pools and such!

If you want to spend the night at the farm, you are welcome! Let Kevin or Nadette know. There are rooms available or you can bring a tent.

We look forward to seeing you at the farm!

with gratitude and in solidarity,

Nadette and Kevin

Nadette Staša: nadette.stasa@gmail.com or 917-535-1989

or Kevin Skvorak: k.skvorak@gmail.com or 347-820-2947

Joining a community.  What's it all about?  It's usually more formally called an "intentional community"; but what does that mean?  Let's roll this back to the more general, the inherent need for basic community, for all human beings (if indeed it is a need, a required-necessity).

Community also semantically seems to be a word comprised of two words: common and unity. What do we have in common which unifies us as a group?

The academic etymology would be important to touch upon.  Let's start with the popular wikipedia source, although not to rest on its purported authority.  "A community is a small or large social unit (a group of living things) who have something in common, such as norms, religion, values, or identity. (and) ...a community is a group of people living near one another who interact socially." 

read more at the dedicated page, entitled the same...