Community supported everything - an incubator for community transformation
by eric lawson
MISSION
Community Supported Everything is a hub for community transformation- a place to harness our ability to imagine, learn, and problem-solve to create tangible change. Our mission is to make solutions visible and translate ideas into action through direct participation. Community Supported Everything provides space, tools and classes to a thriving community of change-makers working towards a collaborative society.
VISION
We envision a society where the systems that we depend on are local, decentralized, environmentally regenerative, and community-driven. A society where we are able to have direct relationships with the people we rely on to provide our food, water, energy, healthcare and everything else, providing an alternative to large multi-national corporations that value profit over people. We believe our communities possess the creativity, ingenuity, and intelligence to solve our own problems, and that by developing small-scale solutions that meet our needs, we can provide models for other communities to do the same.
HISTORY
Community Supported Everything began as an organic movement in March of 2012. The first
meetings were held in parks throughout Portland, using an interview method to help people
identify the actions required to create the world they envisioned. This movement was largely
inspired by the Occupy Movement, and the collective interest in pursuing change from a radically
positive perspective. In December of 2012, the Alberta Guildhall ( www.albertaguildhall.org ) was
established to create a central hub for networking and positive action.
Continuing Projects
Rainwater Catchment
Zine and Indy Media Production Lab
Building a Collaborative Community
Build Your Own 3D Printer
Community Supported Everything is a hub for community transformation- a place to harness our ability to imagine, learn, and problem-solve to create tangible change. Our mission is to make solutions visible and translate ideas into action through direct participation. Community Supported Everything provides space, tools and classes to a thriving community of change-makers working towards a collaborative society.
VISION
We envision a society where the systems that we depend on are local, decentralized, environmentally regenerative, and community-driven. A society where we are able to have direct relationships with the people we rely on to provide our food, water, energy, healthcare and everything else, providing an alternative to large multi-national corporations that value profit over people. We believe our communities possess the creativity, ingenuity, and intelligence to solve our own problems, and that by developing small-scale solutions that meet our needs, we can provide models for other communities to do the same.
HISTORY
Community Supported Everything began as an organic movement in March of 2012. The first
meetings were held in parks throughout Portland, using an interview method to help people
identify the actions required to create the world they envisioned. This movement was largely
inspired by the Occupy Movement, and the collective interest in pursuing change from a radically
positive perspective. In December of 2012, the Alberta Guildhall ( www.albertaguildhall.org ) was
established to create a central hub for networking and positive action.
Continuing Projects
Rainwater Catchment
Zine and Indy Media Production Lab
Building a Collaborative Community
Build Your Own 3D Printer
In September of 2013, CSE launched it’s first residency program (www.communitysupportedeverything.org) - a project that integrated self-directed learning,
community organizing and personal development. The residency program provided five
individuals with the support and tools to launch social change initiatives in our community.
WHAT WE DO NOW
The Alberta Guildhall has always served as a hub for the larger community. We recognize the
importance of cross pollination between different organizations and social change efforts. The
Guildhall is able to maintain this role through the contributions of over 30 members and an
extended network of supporters. Through this support, we are able to offer the space for
workshops, trainings, networking events and organizing efforts. We create a culture of support
that encourages individuals to respond to the “ call to action ” of our time. Community Supported Everything is a member supported organization-- in other words, we’re crowd-funded! Why? Because we want to focus on direct change rather than get caught in the limitations of the non-profit system.
WHAT I DO
Member Outreach
Our space on Alberta Street is supported by community members who have committed to contribute $25 or more a month. Our members make this work possible, and together we are growing a network of individuals and organizations working for systemic change. In order to continue doing this work, we need to increase our membership to 80 members by the end of May. Twice a week I host a membership planning event where new and prospective members find out how they can change everything!
Event Coordination and Planning
Community SWAP!
community organizing and personal development. The residency program provided five
individuals with the support and tools to launch social change initiatives in our community.
WHAT WE DO NOW
The Alberta Guildhall has always served as a hub for the larger community. We recognize the
importance of cross pollination between different organizations and social change efforts. The
Guildhall is able to maintain this role through the contributions of over 30 members and an
extended network of supporters. Through this support, we are able to offer the space for
workshops, trainings, networking events and organizing efforts. We create a culture of support
that encourages individuals to respond to the “ call to action ” of our time. Community Supported Everything is a member supported organization-- in other words, we’re crowd-funded! Why? Because we want to focus on direct change rather than get caught in the limitations of the non-profit system.
WHAT I DO
Member Outreach
Our space on Alberta Street is supported by community members who have committed to contribute $25 or more a month. Our members make this work possible, and together we are growing a network of individuals and organizations working for systemic change. In order to continue doing this work, we need to increase our membership to 80 members by the end of May. Twice a week I host a membership planning event where new and prospective members find out how they can change everything!
Event Coordination and Planning
Community SWAP!