Pineolia

Mission: Pineolia shall be a unique form of utopia dedicated to the peace and happiness of all who encounter it.

From www.ic.org/directory/pineolia-2/:

The Top Ten Reasons To Be A Pineolian

1.) You are a quiet person who enjoys peace and tranquility.
2.) You are a vegetarian.
3.) You are a lover of animals both domestic and wild.
4.) You are a person who respects the environment.
5.) You are into Permaculture.
6.) You are politically left leaning.
7.) You are a secularist.
8.) You are a non-smoker of tobacco.
9.) You are mainly into natural highs.
10.) You follow The Golden Rule.

If the above rings true for you, then please read The Pineolia Manifesto below for details.

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The Pineolia Manifesto
January 24, 2017, Draft #4
by Ken Nelson

Introduction

I wish to establish a future intentional community called Pineolia (Pine'-o-li-a). What would Pineolia be like, and who would be eligible to become a Pineolian? This document describes these things and outlines a basic framework for Pineolia.
I have a specific vision for Pineolia. Therefore, this being the case, I need to be the sole founder including the sole owner of the land that the future community will reside upon. I know that this goes against conventional wisdom when attempting to create an intentional community, but this is what I'm doing.
The founder's burdens include all of the things to learn about the buying of land, finding the right property, all of the travel expenses involved, and then actually buying the property. All of this has been accomplished. I own 22 acres.
The founder's privilege and advantage is being able to set things up right from the beginning as I the founder would like them to be. The Founder is automatically the Protector. The Protector protects the land. Ownership of the land of Pineolia shall remain entirely and exclusively in my name because I absolutely know that I would never end Pineolia by selling the land or using it for some other purpose. I know that I will keep the land of Pineolia for Pineolia and do my best to keep Pineolia in good shape and keep it going.
Absolutely undoubtedly the land of Pineolia will be safe in my hands. I know this because Pineolia is my life's work. It is the meaning of my life. It is the reason I exist. It is my life. Pineolia forever! Many, many, many, years from now, upon my death, it will be stated in my Will, to whom the Protectorship will be passed on to, someone that best fullfills the above ideal.
The Founder is also the initial gate keeper, deciding at the beginning, who will be considered for membership.
So far, there is only one Pineolian, ..me. For Pineolia to reach its full potential, this needs to change. The "I" will have to change to "we".
"Build It And They Will Come."
Pineolia is to be an experimental combination of Nature, respect for Nature, Peace, Tranquility, Permaculture, Art/Culture, and Economics with its own money (fiat money) and money system. Visiting and/or participating in this place would be like being in another world or a foreign country with its own unique culture.

Certain Non-compromisable Eternal Things

Certain things that I have established will stay in place for all eternity; just a few ideas that I am 100% attached to. These are non-compromisable things and they will stay in place forever, unless by unanimous consent they are overturned. Other ideas by other future Pineolians, that are in harmony with the final draft of this manifesto can be added as “eternal things” by the unanimous consent of the group of multiple co-owners (A.k.a. the Pineolians), and will also stay in place forever, unless by unanimous consent they are overturned.

The final draft of this manifesto will be the beginning of the future Constitution of Pineolia. By the time we get to a final draft, it will be a collaboration and compilation of ideas contributed by all Pineolians.

Contributions Of Ideas

In this document I am expressing my contribution of ideas for Pineolia. It is my slice of the pie of ideas for Pineolia.

I am staking out my place, my territory, defining my roles, within this future community as all other future Pineolians will do. All staked out territories or "slices of the pie", must be in harmony with that of all other Pineolians.

In the following list of rules, 1 through 7 are very uniquely my creation and go deep to the center of my soul. Some are the absolutely non-compromisable ones that I hinted at above, while others do have a degree of flexibility which I will individually explain in detail below. Beyond rule 7 there is also varying degrees of flexibility with many of the rest of the proposed rules, as is the case with this entire manifesto which is open for discussion and negotiation.
1. The name "Pineolia" (Pine'-o-li-a) is the indisputable, absolutely non-compromisable name for this future intentional community. There is no flexibility with this one. ( In the dappled light of a pine forest in late May of 1964, this word first came to me and it became the name of the original "intentional world" that we kids had created.)

2. I have created the beginning of the "Pineolian Establishment Art", which so far consists of the letters, the column, the flag, etc. (All these things are explained below.) It is hoped that other future Pineolians will add to the Pineolian Establishment Art. I would like them to take ownership of it by giving it their own personal touch making it their's, and create yet even more Pineolian Establishment Art; cultural things of all sorts. I would like there to be all kinds of art in Pineolia being done by others including an expansion and further enrichment of the Pineolian Establishment Art.

3. The Pineolian Alphabet: Pineolia has its own alphabet, an example of Pineolian Establishment Art. It goes way back to the original Pineolia of 1964, of kids playing in the woods. It is actually English in disguise with the Latin letters re-designed. It is a type of code that makes words look like they are from some exotic language. And they are, sort of. It's, ...PINEOLIAN!!! They produce a certain feeling, atmosphere, or ambiance and are a unique cultural aspect of Pineolia. There will be trail signs printed in Pineolian and there will be "street" signs as well, as there will be a tiny, miniature village, "Pinesville", with foot path "streets". All signs will have smaller Latin letter English subtitles. Some may have French, Spanish, German, Chinese, you name it, subtitles also.

These letters have proven to be quite flexible over the years as their designs have evolved and improved. Therefore, there is a tradition of flexibility with the design of the letters. So if a future Pineolian, lets say his name is Jack, is not thrilled with his letter"J". He is free to change it to whatever he would like. Or I will work with that person and together we would come up with a "J" design that he likes.

4. The Column Of Pineolia (Pineolian Establishment Art)

Pineolia has its own column. Eventually all entrances to Pineolia will be flanked by Pineolian Columns. And somewhere in the middle of Pineolia will be "The Great Column", a real big one!

5. Pineolia has its own flag. As soon as there is more than one Pineolian, this will be the flag that we will begin with. If after one year, Pineolia wishes to have a different flag design, we will all design a new one together.

6. The traditional Pineolian drawing for a pine tree, as shown on the flag, looks more like a fir than a pine. But, no problem. Pineolian culture, going all the way back to the original Pineolia, has always considered all evergreens or conifers to simply be different kinds of pine trees. So therefore, in Pineolian culture, a fir is a type of pine tree. It's a quirky Pineolian cultural thing of which I am attached. It helps to set the inner world of Pineolia apart from the outer world. It adds to it having its own separate identity. But at the same time, Pineolia does believe in science. So it believes in science and it cherishes its culture. If the two ever come into conflict over some decision that needs to be made, then science will trump culture. Can't let culture stand in the way of truth. But Pineolia, having its own different botanical classification system, does no harm.

7. Pineolia will have its own inner economic system with its own money. One Pine Buck could be worth one bucket of dirt. One can build with dirt. This is a hint at a basis for a mini economic system. The money will also serve as a platform for Pineolian Culture with the Pineolian letters displayed on the bills and coins. We will design the money together.
8. Permaculture is the way things are grown and built in Pineolia.
9. Building shall be done with a county permit.
10. The overall strategy for the growing of things is basically this: Along the upper slope, there shall be, for the most part, deciduous trees and plants so that the nutrients flowing down to the middle slope will be beneficial for the growing of food. The lower slope shall have, for the most part, evergreens. (Pine trees feed the soul of a Pineolian.) This way the acidic evergreens nutrients will not flow into the food producing areas.

Certain things I have done with the land shall stay in place, such as all the trees I have planted, the utility dirt roads and trails I have created. (Eternal Things) And there are other things that I have planned out that also must be, such as the placement of the house that is to be built. But I may be flexible and open to minor adjustments. It depends on what the issue is.
11. Pineolia is vegetarian.
12. Pineolians are lovers of animals, both domestic and wild. No animal is to be killed in Pineolia, except in a possible rare situation of self-defense or in defense of another (human or animal) against, for example, a bear, cougar, coyote, etc.
13. Pineolians are non-smokers of tobacco.
14. Legal drugs, and that includes alcohol, on occasion in moderation are allowed, but it is the overarching philosophy in Pineolia that you really don't need drugs in paradise. Pineolia is mainly about natural highs. One exception, caffeine: Because you need to be awake to fully enjoy paradise.
15. Pineolia is a hate free place. Diversity is the way.
16. All Pineolians practice the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Pineolians are respectful of the feelings of others and try to practice empathy to all.
17. Pineolians are egalitarians. This would be enforced by all Pineolians taking turns cleaning a common toilet and bathroom. The toilet is the great equalizer.
18. Pineolia is secular.
19. Pineolians are primarily just humans, Americans, possibly Canadians or of other national origin, Cascadians, but most of all: Pineolians.
20. Pineolians are progressives or liberals and they do take an interest in outer world politics. Pineolians are registered voters and they vote.
21. As much as possible beforehand, all who come to Pineolia will have been thoroughly screened. It will be a place where only friends, friendly neighbors, or at least friendly acquaintances will be invited. All visitors will have to at least be a friendly acquaintance.
22. If there is an outsider that has been truly offensive toward a Pineolian, after the offended Pineolian fully explains the matter to all other Pineolians, all other Pineolians shall stand in support of their fellow Pineolian. The offended Pineolian will have veto power over the offending outsider from visiting Pineolia. Pineolia will be the home of all Pineolians. Offending outsiders will not be welcome in our home.

Pineolians are to be like a family group. Pineolian empathy occures first and foremost between Pineolians. The No.1 most important persons in a Pineolians life are the other Pineolians. That is where a Pineolian's loyalty would lie.
23. Friendly outsiders to Pineolia are honored with the title: "Friend Of Pineolia". If they have helped Pineolia in some way then they are honored with the title: "Honorary Pineolian". And if they have helped Pineolia TREMENDOUSLY, then they are declared to be a "Hero Of Pineolia", the highest honor Pineolia has to give. (At this point in time there are now five: Diane, Matt, Shari, Greg, and Nancy.)
23. Pets Policy: Only small indoor pets or pets in a confined outdoor area shall be allowed.
24. Any valuable mineral or natural resource, and any buried or hidden treasure, found in Pineolia by anyone is automatically absolutely entirely the property of Pineolia.
25. Pineolia shall be a place of a small number of people.
26. The words that would describe the scale of everything about Pineolia is small, tiny, and miniature.
27. Pineolia shall be totally in line with respecting the environment.
28. Pineolia shall carry on in such a way as to make the amount of discouragement toward the presence of wildlife, insignificant.
29. Pineolia shall bring no harm to any neighbor. Pineolia shall be devoted to the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood. Pineolia strives for total goodwill, peace, and harmony with its neighbors and the greater surrounding community.
30. Outside the trailer and house, no loud music will be allowed.
31. Pineolia shall be a place of tranquility.
32. A Pineolian is a quiet person and lover of peace and quiet.
33. Pineolia, except for mainly natural features, shall strive to not be seen from the Deggan's (neighbors) cabin.
34. Pineolia shall not be heard from the Deggan's cabin.
35. Ravel's Bolero is the new national anthem of Pineolia. Check this out. I think it is truly magnificent. Play it loud! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4J5j74VPw This shall be until, if and when, the future Pineolians decide to change it to something else.

MEMBERSHIP:

As the founder, in the beginning, I will choose who can join. Persons from all parts of the human family are eligible for consideration provided they are in agreement with the contents of this document. Naturally I will choose folks that I am in the best harmony with.

The founder could consider up to six people all at once, or one at a time. But as soon as there are more Pineolians than just the Founder, all Pineolians how ever many there are, will decide together who will be considered for membership.

At this time, so far there are minimal living accomodations for only one person, me. Applicants and I would have to work things out to increase living accomodations. We would have to build a house together for us all to live in and equally share the cost and the labor. This could be a wonderful bonding experience. The Trailer could eventually become the guest quarters.

I feel that the highest number of Pineolians that would be appropriate for this size property (22 acres), and for the maintenance of the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood, would be 7 quiet type people.

1.) Screening:

First, all applicants and I, individually, have to get to know each other, which does take some time. The ideal way would be for the applicants to live somewhere around here. The next best thing would be through many correspondences and frequent visits During this period, we would repeatedly review this manifesto constantly checking the level of harmony between us.

This would be a long process but it is a crucial one. "Good things don't come easy." All aspects of an applicant must be thoroughly checked out, and this takes a considerable amount of time. And that's the way it must be and has to be. It absolutely has to be a good fit and it takes time to see if that is the case. A very serious matter indeed! To be a Pineolian is to be a member of a family like group. So the application process has to be a very serious drawn out affair, but yet with a lot of good cheer all the way through. I can't think of every scenario that might come up. So after all is said and done, it has to feel right to me, and if it doesn't, then it is a no go.

2.) Signing:
If all goes well with the screening process, then the next thing would be to sign a legally binding agreement. A lawyer would be consulted in the composing of this agreement. By signing, the applicant would be stating that they agree to abide with the contents of the final draft of this manifesto, and there would be a guarantee that the signer is getting what they are paying for.

3.) One Time Membership Investment of $1000.

I, The Founder, have invested a rough estimate total of $27,000.(Haven't yet taken the time to total it up exactly.) But being that I am also The Protector, which means that the land of Pineolia stays in my name, the membership investment for all Pineolia applicants shall be only $1000. The $1000 is paid directly to me all in one lump sum. Only after a total of $1000 has been paid in full to me would that person become a full fledged Pineolian with all of the full rights of a Pineolian.

Refund policy:
After moving to Pineolia, for every month living there, that would be $100 less that would be refundable should they then decide that Pineolia is not for them. After ten months are up, there would be no more refund.

So if you pay the $1000, what do you get and what are the guarantees?

For $1000 you get a life time membership in Pineolia. You are a Pineolian for life. You can live in Pineolia. You share equally in the community of Pineolia and in all the things outlined in this manefesto, plus what ever additional harmonious things you and other Pineolians bring to Pineolia.

The matter of membership is a work in progress, like everything in this Manefesto. What I have written here is the best I can think of up to this time. If you have a better idea or ideas, please let me know. This entire manifesto is open for discussion and negotiation.

Business Ideas For Pineolia:
Three ways I have thought of in which Pineolia could possibly support itself are:
A. Farm.
B. Small scale camp ground.
C. Unique Tiny Village
A. Farm.
Using Permaculture techniques we could grow food and sell it at farmers markets. I think this would probably be the primary way that Pineolia could make money to support itself.
B. Small scale camp ground.
A limit of up to 7 quiet persons at any one time with whom Pineolia has a friendship may camp-out in Pineolia. All campers would pay U. S. money to be there and would pay perhaps $10 per 24 hours. It could be a vacation destination.

Up to 7 quiet Campers with whom Pineolia has a very well established friendship would be allowed to build seasonal shelters. They would be built one at a time. All seasonal shelters would be of a Natural Building type of construction including Strawbale, Earthbag, Cob, Roundwood, etc., and will cover an area no bigger than 100 sq. ft. This would be an opportunity to experience building in these ways. They would have no plumbing or electricity and are intended for camping-out during the warmer months only. The campsites would be closed during the winter.

All friends who opt to build a seasonal shelter would have to sign an agreement that spells out the conditions under which they can build and thereafter camp out inside what they created. Friends of friends could camp out in these shelters provided that they are also Pineolia's friends.

Most of these seasonal shelters would be grouped in and around the tiny, miniature village. Some may be off by themselves.

Campers and visitors would use the toilet and shower in the full-fledged house, that is to be built. The bathroom would have a door to the outside for easy access.

C. Unique Tiny Village
It would consist of a variety of hobbit like structures of different types and designs built the natural building way. People would exchange U.S. Dollars for Pine Bucks as there would be some fascinating little shops producing a product or providing a service, all to be paid for in Pine Bucks. All U.S. money collected would go to the Pineolia general fund.
My thing will be to have a little ceramics studio where I'll teach people how to work in clay for a fee in Pine Bucks. For those folks who have already found their way with clay, they could rent space with Pine Bucks to work in clay. I'd also produce my ceramic art and sell it for Pine Bucks only.
Pineolia would not be open to the general public. It would be open exclusively to friends, friends of friends, and friendly acquaintances only, so as to guarantee to keep it nice and personable. On occasions when the village is officially open, it will be limited to no more than around 12 quiet friends at any one time; invitation only.

Final Thoughts:
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If Pineolia itself is not producing income, then each Pineolian would of course be required to chip in equally to pay the money that is needed to cover expenses such as the ongoing utilities and yearly property taxes. This would require Pineolians having jobs outside of Pineolia or at least have money from somewhere available to contribute.

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I want to do all of the above simply to do it, not to make a big profit. Of course I would want Pineolia to make at least a little money, enough to pay the taxes and operating expenses, with a little left over for a rainy day fund for those unexpected expenses and emergencies.

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With this project I am continuing to move into unexplored territory; unexplored by me, that is. This has been the case ever since I began looking for land to buy.
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If this seems like paradise to you, if this resonates with you, and if you feel that your ideas would harmonize with these ideas, then lets talk. This manifesto is open for discussion and negotiation.
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Well that's it up to this point in time. Your questions, criticisms, thoughts, and comments are all very welcome. Thank you.

A service of the Data Commons Co-op. The project has been supported by Equal Exchange, the Cooperative Charitable Trust, the USDA, and many others - thank you! Tech volunteers over the years include: Benjamin Bradley with support from GAIA Host. Ben Mauer with support from Quilted. Paul Fitzpatrick. Ronin Tech Collective, Brattleboro Tech Collective, Sligo Computer Services. Jason Lemieux. Default map tiles courtesy of MapQuest. Default map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA.