Expanding the D.r.e.e.m. Reality Library

D.r.e.e.m. Reality is coming closer and closer to launching its first major research project focused on conducting a large scale study of ecovillages throughout the United States. The purpose of this study will be to collect data on the different social, economic, and physical components of these different ecovillages. Ultimately this project hopes to publish a scientifically recognized study on the topic, to bring the concepts of sustainability, community, and environmental awareness to the scientific arena.

One of the first steps to conducting a study is to make sure there is an understanding of other literature concerning the topic. Therefore, we are always looking to expand our D.r.e.e.m. Reality library and have recently purchased some new books:

• Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or Intentional Community (Diana Christian). Finding Community presents a thorough overview of ecovillages and intentional communities and offers solid advice on how to research thoroughly, visit thoughtfully, evaluate intelligently, and join gracefully. Useful considerations include: Important questions to ask (of members and of yourself), Signs of a healthy (and not-so-healthy) community, Cost of joining (and staying), and Common blunders to avoid.

• The Dream of Earth (Thomas Berry). This first volume in a new series, the Sierra Club Nature and Natural Philosophy Library, explores human-earth relations and seeks a new, non-anthropocentric approach to the natural world. According to cultural historian Berry, our immediate danger is not nuclear war but industrial plundering; our entire society, he argues, is trapped in a closed cycle of production and consumption. Berry points out that our perception of the earth is the product of cultural conditioning, and that most of us fail to think of ourselves as a species but rather as national, ethnic, religious or economic groups. Describing education as "a process of cultural coding somewhat parallel to genetic coding," he proposes a curriculum based on awareness of the earth. He discusses "patriarchy" as a new interpretation of Western historical development, naming four patriachies that have controlled Western history, becoming progressively destructive: the classical empires, the ecclesiastical establishment, the nation-state and the modern corporation. We must reject partial solutions and embrace profound changes toward a "biocracy" that will heal the earth, urges the author who defines problems and causes with eloquence.
  

• Localization: A Global Economy (Colin Hines). This book is unique in going beyond simply criticizing free trade and globalization trends. Details self-reinforcing policies the create local self-sufficiency and shows clearly that there is an alternative to globalization--to protect the local, globally.

• And We're Doing It: Building an Ecovillage Future (J.T. Ross Jackson). A brilliant scientist, prominent financier and visionary described his experiences with developing ecovillages that restore our sense of community and our connection to the earth while providing us with environmentally sound and sustainable sources of livelihood. Ross Jackson's vision contrasts sharply with the rootless, money-mad, exploitive world of the global economy. It is grounded in the practical experience of hundreds of ecovillage and green enterprise experiments that are being developed around the world. Anyone interest in global, regional or local environmentalism should read this book. It is especially useful and inspiring to those who think good things can't be done. This is a wonderful guide to the development of self-sustaining, green communities, you can learn from the experiences of someone who has fought environmental battles -- and won. It sets forth a clear, practical, feasible vision of the ecovillage. How to do it and how to sustain it.

We are presently working on completing the notes and follow up report on Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and Her People. As soon as that report is complete we'll post it for anyone to view. These books, as well as the rest of the growing library, are essential tools. While we are waiting for the legal confirmation of our organization we can be ready to hit the ground running!

~Phoenix
~Dani

Meeting Minutes for 1/13/2009

(Yep! We reenacted this scene...)

Dreem Reality Meeting

Date: Tuesday 1/13/2009 Time Start: 12:59 am (Pacific) Time End: 1:56 am

Location: San Jose International Airport

Attending: Phoenix – President; Dani – Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

This was a really exciting meeting for the both of us. We have had a few unofficial meetings already to get Dreem Reality up and running, but This one was the first timed meeting with some structure to it. It was a powerful meeting to have, at 1am in an airport. It was the perfect location since what we are wanting to do is travel. Having the excitement for our up coming travels gave us that perfect buzz for ideas and action with what we have to do and get done to finally get incorporated.

As the airport was fully asleep, with people cleaning everywhere with vacuums and such, we were creating, creating, creating.

Dreem Reality has been great at busting through old concepts of taking on a project that seems big and overwhelming. Through the concepts of Dreem Reality I have come to realize that every business, corporation and dream has all stemmed from a small thought. Through that thought and idea things in reality get built upon more and more. Finally turning into a concrete substance that you can use and see in your world. Set backs are no longer a worry for me, because there will have to be some, it is all a part of the process to me now and I welcome any that come our way. It has been such a joy to watch Dreem Reality start to grow and know that it will only continue to do so as long as we have the desire to keep it growing. Through Dreem Reality not only am I able to actualize my dreams of travel, but it has helped me realize that any dream, big or small can be actually created, as long as you hold the dream strong and kept pushing to create it in your world, your reality.

I know the future only holds more room for growth for Dreem Reality, and for all of our dreams that we develop along the way.

~Phoenix~



Here is an outline for the meeting on 1/13/09:

I. Yay Meeting!

· First unofficial meeting!

· Great location – the airport represents adventure and our Dreem (to travel)

II. Steps left to become official:

1) File Articles of incorporation

2) Complete Bylaws

3) File State Tax Exempt application

4) File Federal Tax Exempt application

· MEETING SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW THESE FOR: THURSDAY 1/15/2009

· Need to set up a counseling appointment with SCORE to get their approval before filing

III. Mission Statement

· Do we need a lawyer?

· Need to set up a special brainstorming meeting (Probably on 1/15)

· Necessary for website content and Bylaw completion

IV. Website

· Status – have emails and control panel ready

· Content – NEEDED! Only thing holding us back from having something up

· Ask Chris – what gmail account was used to set up the apps? DreemReality?

V. Brainstorm

1) Project Ideas – pet owner travel, elderly dreems

2) Workshops – networking, instructional. A 3-day retreat to network and create pathworks to dreems.

3) What does DR do?

· Educate by:

- Info hub concerning different topics – ever expanding (music, travel, marketing)

- Blog/video – personal experience/education – our Lucid Dreem!

- Workshops – (travel option!) Proceeds go to charity & furtherance of cause

- Networking – forum and Shawn networking system (?)

4) Discussed contribution/roles so far:

· Phoenix – image, big ideas

· Dani – research, behind the scenes

VI. Wrap-up

· Mission statement – need to brainstorm!! Top priority

· Meetings are good! They help us focus and really get on the same track to accomplish

· Hour long meetings is the goal – enough time to get stuff done, short enough to keep attention

· Snacks were good and not distracting: carrots, cheese, crackers – good brain food.

· Ideas for next Monday's meeting (1/19):

- Phoenix book review – specific content

- New facets/activities that DR does

- New ways to do charity (not only for public, but also community perks for volunteers and Dreemers)

· Ideas for Thursday's meeting (1/15):

- Wording on Articles and Bylaws – print out

~Dani