Anyone that is interested in becoming a full-time Deeply Rooted community member will have to go through this process. It is suggested that an interested individual spend some time with the current members getting a general feel for what Deeply Rooted is all about before they begin this process to make sure it is something they are truly interested in committing to.
The first step is submitting a written proposal/ request for membership. This submission must include, but is not limited to:
- A basic introduction about yourself
- Past community experience
- Religious background/base beliefs
- Financial past/present/intended future
- Reasons for wanting to get involved in an intentional community
- Diet preference/restrictions
- "bad" habits you have (drinking, smoking, other drugs, etc.)
- Long and short-term plans, where you want to be in 2, 5, 10, 25 years
- Commitment level
- House/living space plan
- Health problems/medications, general health
- Skills you can contribute
- Resources you can contribute
- Family background, current relationship with them
- Current social relationships (spouse, significant other, etc)
- Criminal/credit background (bounced checks, bankruptcy, any felony/misdemeanor convictions)
After submission of the proposal a time will be scheduled for an interview between the current members of Deeply Rooted and the prospective new member. This interview will ideally be held at Deeply Rooted but can be scheduled elsewhere if absolutely necessary. It will last a few hours and is intended to address any issues brought up in the written submission as well as ascertain if the individual in question has the potential to complete the membership process. Immediately afterwards the current members will retire and discuss the interview and then inform the potential member if the process will be continuing. If the community members believe it would be beneficial to all involved to continue the process the next stage will be scheduled.
If a potential member is approved for the internship process they will be asked to schedule a minimum of 2 weekends a month for 3 months during which they will live and work at Deeply Rooted. (This is the minimum required, additional days spent at Deeply Rooted during the 3- month period is encouraged but not mandatory.) There are only two, 3-month periods that this can be done during; February-March-April and October-November-December. A preference/intent for one of these periods should be included in the initial proposal. There are a limited number of spots open for each period so apply ahead of time. The potential member will have use of the community center as a living space during the internship process as well as all of the community's on-site resources. This is intended to give the potential member a taste of what the weather is like during some of the harsher times of the year at Deeply Rooted. After the 3 month period there is another meeting/interview in which all concerned sit down and discuss whatever is on everyone's mind. This is a time for concerns by current and potential members to be raised and addressed as well as any clarification that need to be made. If the potential member still wishes to continue the process the last part of the process is scheduled, the one week intensive.
The one week intensive is a continuous 7 day period in which all of the current members and the potential member live and work at Deeply Rooted. (Outside trips are allowed but must be done as a group if its more than just a run to town.) A potential time for this should also be indicated in the initial proposal. It is understood that such a time commitment is difficult to schedule in today's world but it is believed that such a time period of living together is vital to finding out if all concerned are compatible with each other. At the end of the week there is the final interview during which any and all concerns or questions are addressed and the requirements and expectations of a new member are carefully explained (see Requirements and Expectations of Deeply Rooted Community Members in packet) If, after the interview is completed to everyone's satisfaction, the potential member is still interested the current members will retire to discuss and vote.
All voting done at Deeply Rooted is done by consensus, which means everyone has to agree to any given proposal or potential member and that if any individual chooses to block then the proposal is rejected and/or the potential member is denied membership. This is a very serious process and membership will not be granted or denied lightly. The voting meeting will conclude as fast as feasible possible and render their decision to the potential member. If a potential member is denied membership they are entitled to try again one year later. If a membership is granted the Waiver is signed (included in packet) and all concerned head out to the Stone Circle for a brief ritual of welcome. From that point on the new member has all the rights, responsibilities, and requirements of a full member of Deeply Rooted. No importance or special privilege is placed on seniority or chronological order in which people became members, when you join you are the total equal of all the others already there. Then the building of your living structure commences as outlined in the new member's initial proposal and/or they move onto Deeply Rooted.
Membership
