Portland, Oregon.
The Village Building Convergence [4] is a Cyclical Event for the
Restoration of Communication and Sharing, Working Together to Rebuild our Common Culture, and to Transform the City into a Network of Ecological Village Places. For ten days, May 21-30th, thousands of neighbors, volunteers and visitors will work together to continue building our physical and social village infrastructure. Whether it is getting hands and feet muddy in building a cob kiosk or sitting side-by-side engaging in thoughtful nightly presentations, the Convergence is a successful statement of common visions for a lively urban community.
2004 VBC SITES [5] continue to be meccas of community spirit. Many formal and informal gatherings have continued at the sites, ranging from a pancake picnic to block parties to musicians deciding to stop by and play. Hundreds of visitors stroll through the sites, awed by the beauty and feeling of thriving community life. Students continue to study the effects of the projects on the neighborhoods' public health and vitality. And neighbors at the sites enjoy the conversations and activities sparked at their gathering places!
WORKSHOPS [6] ARE FREE (a limited number require a materials fee),
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and are offered in addition to all the
permaculture, natural building and community building happening at the sites.
It is not necessary to register in advance, just show up a few minutes before the start time at the designated location and enjoy engaging with others to create, learn and explore community building.
Partial List of planned workshops:
• Creating Living Democracy
• Building Community with Ancestors: Remembering Indigneous Mind
• Building a Worm Bin
• Common Society Movement-Orientation
• Reclaim the Commons: A Village Building Direct Action Workshop
• Understanding the Secret Language of the Birds
• Communications that Build Community: An Introduction to Naka-Ima
• Community Sacred Site -A Design Workshop
• Permaculture in Hawaii & Australia
• Awesome Earthen Buildings from Around the World
• Affordable Housing NOW
• Consensus-Building for Place-Making
• Alternative Energy Cooking Techniques and the Energetics of Food
• Sustainability education: Earthshed, humanshed and Learningshed
• Biodiesel & You: Saving the Planet One Gallon at a Time
• Art into Words into Community
The VBC is a statement of collective dedication to create the world in which we want to be living. At its root it is about actively building our community, and realizing the strength and beauty of our power when we work and play together. With the VBC, Portland is leading the nation in re-envisioning civic infrastructure at the grassroots level (see:
City Repair [7]), inspiring involvement and projects even beyond our city.
VOLUNTEER [8]