Relationships

Village without Walls

 Vision Statement

We are a Village without Walls – a creative collaboration among groups and individuals who value a context for community oriented work and play. It is our experience that the skills and values of a shared, communitarian life can be learned and applied to any number of gatherings, groups, neighborhoods, as well as shared living projects. In fact, we agree with those, like Amitai Etzioni, who propose that society at large must adopt communitarian principles and practices in order to be viable. Consider yourself a part of the Village without Walls and you'll be getting our point. With this broad definition of community the Village is intended to be a community of communities, each manifesting their version of the compassionate human community. In this demonstration of cooperation is our service to society at large.

 Mission Statement

Recognizing that the encouragement and correction needed for healthy development is true for communities as well as individuals; the Village without Walls serves as a resource for communities of many kinds. Though the American Association for the Furtherance of Community has initiated the Village without Walls, the Association will become just one of many “residents” of the Village. The purpose of the Village is to provide, through real time gatherings and on-line connections, a context for community-oriented people and groups to gather in support of each other’s work. The emphasis is on demonstrating, supporting, training, inspiring individuals and groups who have the desire to help bring about personal and social transformation.

 The Village without Walls will be guided by the Council and the Association’s board in order to offer training, support, and opportunities to collaborate with other organizations.