Page 21 - C.A.L.L. #45 - Summer 2019

Let us imagine East Wind and Twin Oaks can choose to be passive, put out small

as two big anchors keeping the fleet safely bets, or take a bigger risk to grow
in harbor. The fleet is made up of ships big community (a goal explicitly stated in both
and small and crews of endless variety. Of communities’ bylaws, and exemplified by
course, any of the various captains in the Twin Oaks’ spawning of nearby Acorn, also
fleet can choose to break off in a dinghy an FEC member community). Agreements
to execute a specific plan. A great for dividends, specific land use terms, etc.
historical example of this is East Wind can be made to help get potential concepts
relying on Twin Oaks’ hammocks business off the ground. Getting the material
to support themselves through the support into the hands of those who have
beginning years. Business expansion is some chance of success is obviously the

perhaps the most reliable way for growth. most difficult part of this process. And
This top-down approach has to be carefully this is where networking comes in. Both
conceived and even more diligently communities have good reason to be wary
managed. A seriously committed group of of a lousy business plan or mal-intentioned
independent thinkers with a strong schemers. I think this problem can be
communal spirit is necessary. Of course, slightly alleviated by shared business
each ship’s crews are learning to live with experience (e.g., food manufacturing) and
each other in the process of evolution. an effective joint venture. Keeping
Individual mariners meet mariners from records, knowing histories, etc. can really
different crews and get to see a variety of help determine who is a thoughtful decision
living arrangements. Those that stick with maker and who is in over their head. A big
the income-sharing fleet for a long enough enough group with the right synergies and

time inevitably get ideas of their own of a willingness to be founders takes time and
the best living agreements and a energy to form.
percentage of them feel drawn to attempt
to be the founders of a new project. They
venture off into unknown waters and What is in the future of the communities
movement? More Acorns and more little
experiment, blazing new routes. Most will
burn out, but that is no reason to not try. seedlings, one can hope. It is happening,
Small, minimalist projects don’t require slowly but surely at the moment. The flood
significant material support. Large top- of the late ’60s and early ’70s will
undoubtedly be repeated; let us prepare
down projects require taking on some

amount of risk. Every concept is an option for it!
to be considered. East Wind and Twin Oaks

Sumner is a 27-year-old attempting to live a moral life in an age of decline. He desires to be

a participant in the creation of new cultures and new communities. When he is not managing
the multi-million-dollar business that is East Wind Nut Butters he likes to garden, write, milk

cows, and document the communities movement. You can read his blogs, which have plenty of
pictures (and soon to be film), online at eastwind.org.