Social Permaculture Intensive | Cazadero, CA

Taught by Starhawk and Pandora Thomas

In this time of environmental and social meltdowns, we need one another to make positive changes and plant the seeds of a new world. But to work together, and to embrace diversity and challenge the ‘isms’ that divide us, we need the skills of building group bonds, establishing clear communication, resolving conflict creatively, and bringing forth each individual’s greatest gifts.

Even collaborative, horizontal groups benefit from leadership—visionaries who can move the group into new directions, facilitators who can help the group bond and make decisions, mediators who can help the group move through conflict, mentors who can help each member find their growing edge.

This five-day intensive explores social permaculture—looking at how we can design groups, structures and new patterns that further beneficial human relationships. Together we’ll create a truly welcoming environment, where we can each be seen in the fullness and complexity of who we are. We’ll explore how to structure our groups for maximum group health, how to share power fairly, mediate conflicts and facilitate group processes. And we’ll share tools for decision making and constructive critique. Starhawk’s latest book, The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups, will be our foundation.

We’ll balance the process work with time outdoors in nature, including hands-on work on the land, and with rituals and personal practice to further our own sustainability. Insights from both permaculture and magic will help us learn to be more effective and joyful as we work together to regenerate our world.

Read more about our instructors, Starhawk and Pandora Thomas, here: EAT Instructors

This course is for you if you belong to :

• A group or organization seeking to make change.
• A nonprofit or NGO that seeks to work collaboratively.
• A spiritual circle, ritual group, or faith community.
• A community group, Transition Town, collective, or worker-run cooperative.
• An intentional community or household, or hope to start one.
• A collaborative arts, theater, or music group. A band!
• A family or a community of friends that want to improve communications and ways of handling conflict.

Topics include:

Permaculture principles for social permaculture:

• • Design beneficial relationships.
  • Value diversity and edge.
  • Stack functions.
  • Design the physical to support the social.