C
COMMUNITY SELF RELIANCE
CRITICAL CONNECTIONS
Points within a web of relationships at which catalysts for change exist
CRITICAL MASSES
The ability of a community to meet its material and/or nonmaterial needs through collective efforts and resources, in ways that minimize its dependency on the currently existing economy
The quantity of people or resources needed to force a change
D
DIGNITY
DIGNITY AFFIRMATION
Dignity is the inherent value and worth of every individual, characterized by respect, honor, and recognition of their humanity and the right to be seen, respected, heard, and feel safe.
Intentionally honoring the inherent value and worth of every individual by recognizing their humanity and fulfilling their right to be seen, respected, and heard.
E
EMERGENCE
EXISTING DIFFERENTLY
Emergence is both a theory of change and a description of a process.
As a process, it describes the way that simple interactions can give rise to new systems and/or complex patterns that often cannot be predicted.
As a theory, it emphasizes that change occurs through relationships and complex interactions rather than through control and prediction.
A lifestyle or state of being for a group or individual in which intentionally and actively emphasizing material and nonmaterial needs equally is a priority
F
FINITE SOCIAL SYSTEM
INTERDEPENDENCE
A social system with three identifiable phases: emergence, normal functioning, and decline
I
The mutual reliance between individuals, groups, or systems
INNER WISDOM
The deep, intuitive knowledge or insight that comes from within
LOVE
L
The willingness to and practice of extending ourselves for our or another’s holistic growth
MATERIAL NEEDS
M
Tangible requirements necessary for sustaining life and ensuring physical survival. These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.
NONMATERIAL NEEDS
N
Intangible requirements necessary for healthy social, psychological, spiritual, and emotional development. These needs include love, care, security, safety, recognition, identity, community, dignity.
PATRIARCHAL RACIAL CAPITALISM
P
A finite socio-economic system of control that harms all forms of life and is built on interconnections between race, gender, economic oppressions, and the exploitation of nature. It denies the interconnected nature of life in order to amass an abundance of resources and favor economic growth over collective wellbeing.
RELATIONAL POWER
R
The influence produced when in relationship; it cannot be given, it is intrinsic
SYSTEMS
S
Mutually reinforcing patterns and structures that give shape to relationships, processes, institutions, societies, and behaviors
SYSTEMS transition
The period of a finite social system’s decline and the process of its replacement by an emergent finite social system. This process involves cultural, structural, economic, and behavioral changes, as well as changes in technologies, policies, and norms.
unilateral power
u
The ability to create an outcome for a collective without input and/or consent from the collective as a whole.
visionary organizing
v
A framework for and approach to community and organizational change that equally emphasizes material and nonmaterial needs.
wellbeing
w
Wellbeing is a state of being in which people are engaged in personal growth, fulfilling their potential, respecting life, and nurturing mind, body, and spirit. Individual and/or collective thriving is a product of wellbeing.