Living the Agreement—or Not…
“Dignity Village
Membership Agreement”
“What we do is based on love and respect for ourselves and each other…
We seek to create a green sustainable urban village for those who are
seeking shelter but are unable to find it…in a stable, sanitary environment
free of violence, drugs, theft, disruption of peace, and alcohol,
until they are able to access housing.
What do you want or expect from Dignity Village?
What can you contribute or give back to Dignity Village?
To stay in Dignity, you must agree to, and follow our five basic rules:
- No violence to yourselves or others
- No theft
- No alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia on-site
or within a one-block radius - No constant disruptive behavior
- Everyone must contribute to the operation and maintenance
of the Village. A minimum of 10 hours are required per week.”
…of the Village,
by the Village,
for the Village.
Share the stories.
Walk the talk.
Discuss the temptations.
Discover what I can do
with myself:
Gather together.
Encourage people
to speak for themselves,
honest and open.
Listen with respect,
honest and open.
Follow through with kindness, caring, fidelity.
Build community.
Question authority,
but not the 5 basic Village rules.
Self-governing:
adhere to the Village Bylaws,
enforce the 5 Village rules.
Not always pleasant. Not always comfortable.
The functioning wellness and respect of the Village
trumps the errant individual Villager
“What good do we do
throwing anybody back on the street?”
Self-reliance often gifts self-esteem,
and a hand-out
is not necessarily a hand-up.
How well do we listen?
…With a core sense of worth?
How well do we select members?
…Call them on their shit?
How well do we decide ourselves?
“Ourselves?”
Collecting from diversity
talents join together:
a random family
living, creating Dignity Village
—mostly.
“Unique is, well, unique”