East Wind Community
East Wind Community is an intentional community located in the Missouri Ozarks. Founded in 1973, it is a secular and democratic community in which members hold all the communities assets in common. Each member is also given food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education, and a monthly discretionary fund.[1] All major decisions are made by direct democratic processes and most positions in the community are elected. East Wind Community owns 1045 acres of land and several businesses.
Their stated goal is peace, social justice and economic and social democracy.[2]
The East Wind Community has several income sources including a nut butter business named East Wind Nutbutters and a drum making business named Slackjaw Drums. In addition they produce "Utopian Rope Sandals". Members are required to work a certain number of hours and income from the businesses is used to support the community.
Prospective members are selected by a membership team are then invited for a three week visit period. Following a one year provisional membership full members have the opportunity to call for a vote on any new member that may either be too disruptive or is failing to do their fair share of the labor. There is also an associate status for people who do not wish to make a full commitment to the community.
East Wind is a member of the Federation of Egalitarian Communities, which also includes the communities Twin Oaks, Sandhill, and several others. There are many community conferences and labor exchanges between the communities, and there is a fund which all the communities pay into to help cover any major medical expenses.[3]
The community is rural and clothing is optional. Members live in dorm style buildings and there is a central dining hall and laundry and shower house. There are also several personal shelters designated as doubles for couples and visitors. There are also common spaces for recreational activities including computers and satellite TV.[4]
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