How to Get More Involved with the FIC

We welcome your interest; please come get involved! The FIC's ability to support people in creating and maintaining community is directly linked to the contributions of people like you who care about community. You are invited to lend support in any of a variety of ways, many of which are listed below. Contact Us for for more information!

Membership
If you are not currently a member of FIC, this is a great way to support us and keep in touch with what we are doing. We welcome individual, community, and organizational members at a range of sustaining levels. Members receive discounts on conferences and publications, invitations to our semi-annual organizational meetings, and a newsletter.

Subscribe to Communities magazine
Communities magazine is your source for news and ideas from the world of community living. Each quarterly issue includes updates to our famous Directory and ads for communities seeking people and people seeking communities, along with a lively selection of articles on topics relevant to life in community. Are you currently picking up your copy of Communities from a bookstore? Please consider buying a subscription instead so that your support can go more directly to FIC.

Sell the Communities Directory - Do Well by Doing Good
Make money for yourself while getting Directories out in the world! Buy a box from us at wholesale rate, then re-sell at cover price, making a profit in the process. Contact our office for bulk discounts.

Community Dialogs
These discussions are designed to tap into people's interest in community, from neighborhoods to rural communes. We are looking for local hosts who are willing to help put together a salon or workshop. It can be as simple as inviting half a dozen friends for potluck, and we have a free organizing kit that explains all the steps. Contact our main office for more information or to request a kit.

Art of Community
These regional conferences focused on the nuts and bolts of building community are held two times each year. We invite you to join us for a weekend of learning, networking, socializing and fun! Locations vary, come find out where and when the next event will be, or contact our main office

Organizational Meetings
Twice a year we gather to check in on project areas and talk about how we are manifesting our values as an organization. It's a high energy time and a great chance to see the consensus process in action, guided by skilled facilitators. All the board and general committee sessions are open for observation. Attending a meeting is probably the most direct way to get plugged into what's happening in FIC. Contact our main office for information on the next meeting.

Donations
It takes money to spread the word about community. We invite contributions for specific projects, our capital fund, or general operations. We would also appreciate any information you can pass on to us about individuals or organizations who may be interested in making a donation or grant. And we have a wish list of specific equipment we are seeking to carry out our work.

Community Bookshelf
This mail-order service is a great source for books on community living, alternative lifestyles, and related topics. Take a look at the list of titles in the online catalog. We are particularly pleased to offer two classic guides on consensus decision-making, Building United Judgment: A Handbook for Consensus Decision Making and A Manual for Group Facilitators, which were out of print for years until we recently obtained the copyright and brought them back.

Web Site
Do you maintain a web site for your community or other organization? If it is appropriate, we invite you to add a link to the main page of our Intentional Communities web site, and contact us about linking to your site. More information.

What Else?
There are many other projects and committees that would welcome your support in the form of time, money and ideas. Here's a sampling:

• Distributing FIC Brochures at Co-ops and Coffeehouses
• Writing for Communities magazine
• Fundraising and Development
• Staffing an FIC Table at a Conference or Event
• Photography for Publications
• Conference Staff
• Ideas for Conference Sites
• Placing Communities magazine and the Communities Directory in Bookstores and Libraries
• Work with a specific committee or project

Do You Have Skills to Share?
If you fill out a skills-sharing form, we'll know what skills you have to offer! All levels of skills are needed. The information will go in an internal database that is used only by FIC staff, and will be used when we are searching for a particular skill and to help us find support for the various committees.

If you are interested in learning more about voluntering skills or time with FIC, contact us