Welcome Communitarians
NICA is a volunteer-operated nonprofit with a mission to grow and support the many models of Intentional Communities in the Cascadia region (Northwest U.S. & British Columbia). We're here to help communities grow. We also help those interested in starting a community or seeking to join one.
For those starting or curious about starting an Intentional Community we have put together resources to give you a starting point. Communities come in different intentions and sizes and they take plenty of work to form. We're here to encourage and help those who have that desire.
Finding a community with a vacancy or open membership takes time so be patient with your journey. Find out more information about joining a community and browse our directory of openings to help you in your search.
To all the intentional communities out there, whatever your size, type or age - we want to see you grow and flourish. We invite you to make use of our resources.
Join Our Community Gatherings
Our website is a great resource year round, and we also host live gatherings twice a year that are open to the public. We extend our invitation whether you're part of a community or just dipping your toes and want to find out more. Our gatherings are a great way to mingle and get to know others, participate in workshops, and listen to guest speakers. Read more about our Community Gatherings and RSVP to attend the next one.
About NICA
Board Members
Florian
Jonathan
Peaceray
Lorna
Angelique
Other Contributors
Thomas
Rob
Join the team - we are a volunteer-operated nonprofit and could always use a hand to help us grow and fulfill our mission. Various skills and talents are welcome, so we would love to hear from you.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to grow and support Intentional Communities in the Northwest U.S. & British Columbia — a.k.a. Cascadia bioregion to make visible the many models of successful intentionally cooperative ways of living. We coordinate the exchange of knowledge and resources about Intentional Communities not only to showcase how they benefit members’ lives but to foster ecological, economic and social sustainability in the wider culture.
NICA’s Five Primary Purposes
- Ascertain and promote intentional community aims and values that contribute most to community sustainability;
- Facilitate communication and networking between local, regional, and national intentional community organizations;
- Foster and assist the study of and education on all major elements of intentional communities;
- Assist in organizing and financing efforts of and for sustainable communities;
- To coordinate the exchange of resources between communities and others.
What We Do
Our board of trustees currently meets monthly (the first Wednesday of each month usually, but dates can vary). We coordinate various projects that help the Intentional Community movement and organize our annual Community Gathering events.
These meetings are combined with potlucks and move around to different board members’ home communities. But for the time being, we are meeting up via Zoom calls. If you are interested in attending as a guest we are open to visitors. Please reach out to us to be scheduled on our upcoming meeting/call.
Our Community Gatherings take quite a lot of planning and organizing and we welcome volunteers that would like the help. Each year we organize and host Community Gatherings in the spring and fall. These are 1-3 day-long events that provide opportunities for intentional communities in our region to meet each other, talk about similarities and differences, and share what has been learned. These events are not designed to be promotional, as in marketing any particular community. Typically, at least half of the attendees are current community members and seekers are welcome and usually attend too. If you are seeking members as a new or forming an Intentional Community (IC), these events are a great place to enhance your community’s visibility.
Brief History
The Northwest Intentional Communities Association was formed by a coalition of intentional communities’ representatives who gathered in the fall of 1992, spearheaded by John Affolter of the Teramanto community. The first meeting of NICA was held in the spring of 1993 at the Wesleyan Community on Vashon Island. This is when the bylaws and articles of incorporation were ratified. We incorporated in the Fall of 1993 as a Washington State nonprofit. We were involved in the 1993 Fellowship for Intentional Communities Celebration of Communities gatherings and have held gatherings ever since. We began publishing a newsletter in the Fall of 1992, and we successfully became a 501c3 tax-exempt organization in 1997.
A Big Thank You
We want to recognize and send a big thank you to everyone that has helped or volunteered for NICA. If we missed you please send us a message and we'll add your name to the list.
- Syd F.
Thanks for all the work you've done