Today, as in the past, many people are interested in creating an alternative society based on a vision of peace and social justice. Once thought to be a relic of the sixties, the communal living movement is enjoying renewed interest. What is East Wind Community?
East Wind is an egalitarian intentional community that was founded in 1973 and is located on 1045 acres of woods, hills and meadows in the Missouri Ozarks. All decisions by which we live are assented to by the majority of members. We do not dictate manners of living so long as members do their fair share of labor and not break our bylaws.
Our land, residences, domestic facilities, businesses and labor are all held in common by the membership. All income received is regarded as communal income. Expenses are communal obligations. The community provides food, clothes, child care, health care, transportation and whatever else the membership deems appropriate. These entitlements are distributed among the members in a fair and equitable manner.
We encourage cooperation and discourage competitive behavior. Even so, we are not utopia. Conflicts occur, causing occasional departures. Turnover of members and failure to attract or retain people with specialized skills slows us down. These struggles aside, we are proud of what we have accomplished over the years and are enthusiastic about the future. Our location is scenic and rural. We support ourselves entirely from our communal businesses and are a thriving example of economic and social democracy. East Wind is an active member of the FEC (Federation of Egalitarian Communities), a network of secular groups devoted to equality, ecology, cooperation and nonviolence. We challenge ingrained habits of oppression. We support men and women to break free of traditional gender roles. Children are not ordered around. Gay people are free to be themselves. We look forward to becoming a more racially and culturally diverse group, as we celebrate our differences and are enriched therefrom.
During our first decade we emphasized rapid growth and constructed our major buildings. In the 1980s we were concerned about economic viability and focused on the development of our nut butter business. In the 1990s we have built a child-oriented building and expanded our agriculture program. In developing a closer relationship to the land, we hope to become an ally of our bio region and planet.
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| setting |
legal structure: not-for-profit corporation
surroundings: wild area or nature reserve
land ownership: self-owned
building ownership: self-owned
neighbors: neighbors are friendly
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| population |
total number of people: 75
ideal or planned maximum number of people: 750
children (0-10): 6
teenagers (11-19): 6
adults (20-60): 62
seniors (61 and older): 4
females: 25
males: 37
people with disabilities: 3
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| housing |
number of buildings: 20
number of housing units: 5
number of bedrooms: 75
house sharing
roommates: one room per adult
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| sharing |
income sharing: 100% income sharing
communal meals: most meals are communal
communal food: all food is communal
tools and machinery: all tools and machines are shared
motor vehicles: all vehicles are shared
bicycles: most bicycles are public
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| ethnicity |
ethnic diversity: open to all yet unintentionally not diverse
asian / pacific-islander: one person
latino / hispanic: minority
white / caucasian: majority
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| spirituality |
spiritual diversity: very diverse
meditation: a few people meditate regularly
agnostic: some people practice this faith
paganism / earth religions: some people practice this faith
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| government |
common political theme: democratic
selecting leaders or centrals: elections
decision making: majority decides
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| activism |
party politics: a few people
protests and demonstrations: some people
non-violent direct action: some people
cyber-activism: a few people
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| sustainability |
self-grown food: 25%
organic food (grown+purchased): 75%
self-produced energy: 15%
self-produced fuel
car-free
building material which is salvaged
waste which ends up being recycled
sewage which is treated ecologically: 100%
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| income and money |
income generated within: 100%
personal expenses: reasonable amount of pocket money
income from state
savings: turned over - all of it will be returned upon leaving
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| agriculture / garden |
livestock
crops or produce
fruit trees
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| diet preferences |
common diet: no defined common diet
raw vegan (plant based diet)
vegan (plant based diet): 10
vegetarian (plant based and non-flesh animal products): 33%
omnivore: 60%
omnivore but only home-grown animal products
whole foods: encouraged / mostly whole foods
coffee and caffeine: no restrictions
sugar: no restrictions
salt: no restrictions
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| love and sexuality |
polyamory / open relationships: respected and welcome
polyfidelity (group marriage): respected and welcome
bisexuality: respected and welcome
homesexuality (male): respected and welcome
lesbianism: respected and welcome
heterosexuality: respected and welcome
monogamy: respected and welcome
celibacy: respected and welcome
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| parenting / children |
attachment parenting: open / personal choice
co-parenting: open / a personal choice
home education: open - a personal choice
breastfeeding: breastfeeding encouraged
home birth: open - a personal choice
cloth diapering: open - a personal choice
corporal punishment: parents personal choice
childhood vaccines: encouraged but parents can choose
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| seeking people |
seeking people: yes
people with children: not at this time, but keep in touch
people with disabilities: welcome
elderly people: welcome
single parents: welcome
need capital to join: no
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| drugs / stimulants |
tobacco / nicotin: no restrictions
liquor: no restrictions
wine: no restrictions
beer and cider: no restrictions
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| dress / tidiness |
nudity: anywhere anytime
tidiness
cleanliness: reasonably clean
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| visitors |
visitors without intention to join: welcome
working visitors: welcome
wwoofers: welcome
prearrangements: contact a week or more in advance
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last updated 2004/01/21
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