GET IT ALL

Purpose:

• Contributors establish or join a BUD (Basic Unit of Decision-making) of like-minded people. (A BUD ideally consists of 5 to 15 people maximum.)

• Contributors take part in the development and use of the main virtual hub (Imagi-Nation CO-OPeration found on www.thetransition.org) for sharing information, presentations, solutions to problems, and designs for systems.

• BUDs have meetings regularly; weekly meetings are preferable, but once a month meetings are the minimum.  In person meetings are preferred over virtual collaboration.

• A written Trust is established to govern each BUD which gives everyone clear understanding of their responsibilities and purpose.

Physical:

• BUDs use resources from their “Stone Soup” Inventory to develop Ephemeralization Projects.

Social:

• Contributors in each BUD come together to form their BUD’s “Stone Soup” Inventory.

• Ephemeralization Projects are proposed, assessed, and developed by BUDs to fully sustain the Basic Needs of the target population.

Intellectual:

• The Contributors from each BUD compile their knowledge and life experiences into a BUD “Stone Soup” Inventory, and then collectively for the Community “Stone Soup” Inventory for resource management and accounting:

• Intellectual property
  • Systems designs, blueprints, digital designs, etc.
  • Professional skills/Services (plumbing, electrician, nutritionist, etc)
  • Legal Intellectual property (copyrights, patents, trademarks, etc.)
  • Hobby knowledge
  • Volunteer experience
  • World data/events

• Physical property (3d printers, tools, vehicles, cookware, silverware, clothing, etc)

• Social Resources
  • Contacts and networks
  • Representation at Associations, Clubs, and Conferences

• Assets
  • Contributed Income
  • Savings
  • Investments
  • Donations

• Benchmarks are arrived at and used -via The Scientific Method- to empirically define efficiency ratings for resources as well as defining Environmental Limits.

• The Community Carrying Capacity is calculated and used to gauge Cultural Sustainability.
  • A survey is done to see what resources are available in the Community “Stone Soup” Inventory
  • Needs and wants of the Transitional Community are assessed
  • Rates of Production are considered and improved (via Ephemeralization Projects)
  • External Monetary Acquisition is any overhead that the Transitional Community needs to maintain the target population’s desired standard of living.
• Maximum Public Health is highest priority.  Requirements for Maximum Public Health entail Maximum Cultural Sustainability and Maximum Ecological Sustainability - all variables are considered holistically in a System’s Approach.

• The BUD determines if Basic Skill Sets are available to form the new Transitional Community on a firm foundation:

• Food production and preservation
• Water collection and filtration
• Renewable energy systems
• Housing construction
• Clothing production/acquisition
• Education
• Automation and Closed-Loop systems
• Finance
• Marketing
• Nutrition
• Transportation
• Recycling systems
• Engineering
• Recreation

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I understand The Function of BUDs

    BUDs are the bedrock of The Transition and will help us manifest a Global Egalitarian System with the rest of the world. It all begins with the creation of BUDs so it is very important that all supporters and Contributors understand the function of them and how they work. The only way we can tackle global issues is by being able to collaborate and cooperate on a global scale and this can be done once people form BUDs.

I know about the different Types of BUDs

     BUDs can fulfill many different purposes and a person can belong to more than one BUD. Understanding the different types of BUDs is important for each individual so they know which types of BUDs best meet their own personal needs.

I have learned about BUD Meeting Facilitation

    A Global Egalitarian System can not work on the macro level if BUDs are not working properly on the micro level. In order to make well informed decisions that serve the needs of the people within the BUD as well as the planet and all that inhabits it, BUD Meetings must run properly. Having this education under your belt will also help you be on the same page with other BUDs and groups within The Transition Inter-Community Network should you travel and meet others on your journey.

I have learned about Decision-Making and the use of Formal Consensus in BUDs

    Unlike voting Consensus does not operate on cohersion. It is important to know how to function in a consensus driven environment or you will find yourself without a BUD or not be able to have your individual voice heard on a macro level regarding global decisions.

I have reviewed the following page on Conflict Resolution:

• Assumptions about Conflict
• Separate Identification From Resolution

​I have watched the following videos called The Basics:

• The Most Astounding Fact
• You the People Have the Power
• What Really Motivates Us
• Unnecessary Consumption
• Declaration of Interdependence
• Start a Movement
• The Pale Blue Dot

Watching The Basics is like taking The Transition 101. It acts as a good overview in video form about what we are all about and the essence we carry with us through all of our work. For us to communicate with others from a standpoint that is productive and in line with expanding our consciousness, we have to observe our perceptions and how we are bringing in our ideas. Remember this change and movement isn’t about judging what is currently in place, being angry at it and changing it to make it better. It’s about choosing to step out and expand our possibility of what can be. Our belief systems of how things must be need to be left behind if we really want to open things up and move beyond our current way of experiencing. By watching these short videos you get a good introduction about what we stand for and the direction we are heading. By us shifting our own consciousness and way of seeing things, it will reflect powerfully onto others and will act as a powerful example for more people to begin changing. Believe it or not, shifting our own thinking is one of the most powerful things we can do.

I am aware of how to Find Nearby Supporters

Collaborating with others is a key way to create and expand your BUD to include like minded individuals. Building a community requires knowing who may be interested in assisting you in your endeavor. Those who have signed up for The Transition are looking to make an impact.

I am aware of how to find Free Wifi

If you are like most of our supporters you feel internet access is almost as essential as air. As an organization, we are always finding ways to reduce your expenses and make it easier to connect to other like-minded folks. Providing info about where to access free Wifi is just one of the many ways we try to accomplish this for our supporters and Contributors.

I am aware of the available Spaces​

We know as a social change-maker you are unable to make a large impact in the work you do when your own basic necessities are not being met. By knowing where to find spaces to meet your needs, we hope to assist you in finding a place to lay your head at night as well as other spaces to help you support yourself, your local community or build or maintain a BUD.

I am aware of the available Objects​

The Transition believes in living in such a way that we demonstrate the 6 R’s in our daily lives. By sharing our unwanted tangibles, we are able to eliminate waste and reduce the need for landfills. One person’s trash CAN BE another person’s treasure or much needed resource. By investing in ourselves and each other when we make these resources more readily available, we help our movement grow and thrive.

I am aware of the available BUDs

Knowing what BUDs are available is an essential first step in becoming more involved.  You can chose to join an already established one or decide on creating a new BUD with a different focus than the ones in your local area to accomplish more collectively.

Purpose:

• A BUDthat wants to form a Transitional Community identifies all attributes of what sustains human life in an advanced community setting.  Pre-existing information and research can be found on www.thetransition.org on the paid Contributorpages known as “Imagi-Nation CO-OPeration” on the site.  

• Businesses, other streams of income, as well as goods libraries and open-access facilities are started.  

• Ephemeralization Projects continue to be submitted and improved on to meet the Basic Needs of the population.

Physical:

• Property has been purchased or donated.

• Transitional Communities and/or Hybrid Co-op Businesses are formed and running.

• Cottage Industries (coffee shops, tailors, restaurants, CSA farms, art, stores, etc)
• Goods Libraries (books, media, tools, cameras, music instruments, transportation, etc)
• Bed & Breakfast/Retreats
• Conferences

Social:

• Individuals agree to move or temporarily relocate to help build a new Transitional Community or HybridCo-op Business.

• Each BUD “Stone Soup” Inventory is accounted and managed within the Community “Stone Soup” Inventory solely for the purpose of being decentrally organized.  Resources are accounted for and managed from the bottom up.

Intellectual:

• A survey of Basic Needs (food, water, shelter, electricity, clothing, etc) is calculated on a per person basis (on average) and used as a Benchmarkfor how much production is required for Maximum Cultural Sustainability.

• Methods of production increase via Ephemeralization Projects submitted by Contributors.  

• BUD participants that volunteer to work on Ephemeralization Projects submit proposals for approval by fellow The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN) Contributors on The Transition website www.thetransition.org.

• BUD participants that disagree with Project Proposals are free to voice their concerns by offering an alternative solution -arrived at via The Scientific Method- that may better address the issue or problem to the individual(s) who submitted the proposal. This way the person(s) who submitted the proposal may edit and re-submit their proposal to meet the needs, wants, and desires of all The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN) Contributors.

Transitional Communities and HybridCo-op Businesses collaborate and work together both physically and virtually via the Internet. They also participate in weekly Youtube “shows” known as Transition Tuesdays where they give updates of their developments to the Contributors of the site as well as the world at large.

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Purpose:   

• The Transitional Community consists of Contributors and Hybrid Co-op Business(es).

• The Transitional Community is fully sustainable in its Basic Needs except education; processes for education begin in this phase. The Hybrid Co-op Business(es) use money as exchange with entities outside of The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN), but is not required to use money or any type of debt/servitude transactions between other Hybrid Co-op Business(es) or Contributors within The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN), with the exception of dues.  However, when a Transitional Community is established, Contributors are able to live physically on the land, and the Hybrid Co-op Business is cash positive, the Transitional Community will pay Contributorship dues on behalf of all Contributors that live there so the Contributors no longer need to pay their individual Contributor dues. The Transitional Community understands the full value of cooperation and the benefits it provides; therefore, Contributors share their skills and/or physical labour for the good of The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN) because, in this manner, each individual benefits – personal interest is equivalent to public interest.

Physical:

• All Basic Needs Production Systems are functioning and producing a sustainable amount of Basic Needs for Contributors and Hybrid Co-op Business(es).  Housing is also able to meet the needs of the population and have been built or modified to use renewable energy sources.

• Products and services are sold or traded to entities not a part of The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN). Resources that can’t be produced within the Transitional Community are bought from the monetary-market system using funds from Hybrid Co-op Businesses that are added to the “Stone Soup” Inventory.

Social:  

• Each Transitional Community’s BUDs has weekly meetings for progress updates on various projects (like outreach to the local area). They can also bring up non-urgent issues (non-emergency issues) at this time.

• The Contributors have an attitude of Maximum Cultural Sustainability and Maximum Ecological Sustainability through Egalitarianism.

Intellectual:

• The Transitional Community works to establish processes of creating the most efficient systems of Basic Needs for their community.  Processes are in place to effectively solve physical problems/issues and complete current/ongoing projects.

Unschooling is the method of education within the Transition Community, but it is not required.  A focus on teaching usable life skills via hands on learning versus teaching traditional subjects and methods through rote routine is preferred.  (Some parent(s) may choose to send their children to public schooling systems within the monetary-market system).

Discover "How Does This Impact Me"?

Our BUD has 5 - 15 people​

In our research, we have found that groups of individuals between 5-15 people tend to be more stable. The members in the group feel more supported. With a group of this size, the workload is more distributed and individuals within the group do not feel burdened or taken advantage of as long as the group has good communication skills, regular meetings, and proactive systems in place. After a group exceeds this number, they tend to split off like an organic cell discussed in biology, both BUDs may work together, but they may have separate focuses on projects that are closely related or complementary to each other.

Our BUD has created a written Trust​

This is a key step most groups DO NOT do and it is the very thing that could have prevented conflict, disruption or even prevented the group from breaking-up. By creating a Trust your BUD is establishing what it is you are doing, where you are headed, and the expectations you have for one another. Often individuals assume things or create brittle agreements with one another and because of their different perceptions they have of these assumptions or disagreements it can lead to resentment, animosity, and worst of all the dissolution of their group entirely.

Our BUD has a minimum of one meeting per month which are posted on the Events page​

Posting meetings is a great way to publicize that your BUD is active and engaged.  By meeting frequently, a BUD can come together to make decisions, formulate plans and discuss ongoing projects.  If a BUD meets less than once a month is is highly unlikely that they will be able to accomplish any of the goals they have individually or collectively as a group.

I am participating in one or more projects for our BUD​

Projects are often times not always fun things to do that help make Missions successful. By taking on multiple projects, you are being responsible and taking ownership of being a part of the change you wish to be in the world to make it a better more sustainable, and resilient place for ourselves and the future generations still unborn.

Our BUD has done at least one of The Transition's Missions

Missions are key to the success of The Transition. Without BUDs creating and accomplishing goals associated to their Missions, The Transition’s work would be stagnant and effectively purposeless. By taking on Missions and completing them we collectively get closer to our unified goals.

Purpose:  

• The Transitional Community gives any High Equilibrium goods/services it has to help other Transitional Communities within the The Transition Inter-Community Network (TIN).

• To help “pollinate” Phase I Transitional Communities, skilled Contributors volunteer to give hands-on help and ensure efficacy of their methods of production to meet standard Benchmarks.  These Contributors are known as TIN men and women (or TIN persons).

Physical:

• Phase IV+ Transitional Communities help “water” Phase I Transitional Communities to get to their Phase IV “Pollination” Phase.  If needed, extra funds are allocated to help purchase necessities for the developing Transitional Communities.

Social:

• The Transitional Community is functioning efficient enough to produce High Equilibrium of goods and services to share with other Transitional Communities.  

• Interactions with surrounding monetary-market communities has begun. (Process of Phase 0 “Seeding” surrounding communities: “Why can’t we do this?”, “How do we do what you are doing?”, etc)  The Transitional Community assists surrounding monetary communities to become Phase I Transitional Communities to then become Phase IV Transitional Communities. At this stage, the majority of Transitional Community Contributors are behaving and communicating with Communalistic principles.

Intellectual:

The Transitional Community creates and contributes pre-existing comprehensive blueprints and instruction guides, found on www.thetransition.org, on how to build sustainable communities.

Discover "How Does This Impact Me"?

Our BUD has found a mentoring BUD

Mentoring BUDs can help streamline or make other BUDs more effective.  They can do this by offering advice, tips and tricks or answering questions that a BUD may have.

Our BUD agreed on a location and acquired land

Finding and acquiring land is the first step in forming a real world community.  This step can be a lengthy process as all members need to be in agreement about where their community will be settled.

All of our BUD members are located on the land

There is a special kind of synergy that happens when a group of like-minded individuals with a united vision and goal are physically in the same place. Ideas flow more easily, people become more productive and motivated, and the bigger picture that was once only in the dream stage is now becoming reality. Whether you start out co-housing or are financially stable enough to begin a larger intentional community living together is the next step to having a more stable lifestyle that can support and aid your social change work.

Our BUD has pooled all of it's resources into a "Stone Soup" inventory which is actively managed

Pooling resources is how we can all do more with less.  The more access we have to items in our community the less of a need there is to own duplicates of the same thing when most of the time those items sit around waiting to be used.

Did you know that the average person has contact with approximately 1,000 people? Use the guide below to help you prepare a list of approximately 100 who you currently know or have met in the past. DON'T try to gauge whether these people would be interested in The Transition, your project or being a Contributor, just write them down. Take comfort in the fact that when you are focusing on others, attentive to what they do as opposed to putting your agenda first, you will easily add new names to your list on a weekly basis.

Inspired by: The Referral of a Lifetime

Contributors: Tim Templeton

Recommended Reading: The Referral of a Lifetime

Phase 0 -“Seed Phase”

Posted by The Transition Team ·

Phase I - Building Community/"Soil Phase"

Posted by The Transition Team · July 08, 2016 12:00 PM

Phase II – “Weeding” (Community)

Posted by The Transition Team · July 07, 2016 12:00 PM