When most people think of a commune, they imagine a tight-knit group of people living off the land, sharing resources, and making decisions through consensus. When they think of a business, they picture hierarchy, profit margins, and a focus on efficiency above all else. At Happy Castle, we’re engaged in a process of blending these ideologies in an equitable and sustainable way—one that acknowledges the realities of the capitalist framework that looms over any community-building project. Our goal is to merge the idealistic dreams of communal living with the practical necessity of running a for-profit cooperative enterprise.
This is not a simple task, and it raises critical questions about governance, fairness, equity, and the very foundations upon which we build. How do we construct a system that doesn’t collapse under the weight of its contradictions, that remains true to the spirit of community while recognizing the economic forces shaping our lives?
The Challenges of Dual-Purpose Governance
One of the central dilemmas of building Happy Castle—and indeed, any intentional community—is designing a governance structure that balances multiple purposes. All intentional communities have a guiding philosophy, whether environmental, social, or spiritual. For us, these philosophical pillars include ecological sustainability, mutual aid, personal self-actualization, and the creation of a collaborative, thriving community. But Happy Castle is more than just an eco-village; it is a business enterprise, too, with the shared goals of self-sufficiency, environmental restoration, and personal empowerment through creative and entrepreneurial pursuits.
This dual identity creates tension in governance. The goals of communal equality and business efficiency often pull in opposite directions.
Equality vs. Efficiency: Consensus-based decision-making is a core value for us, but it can be slow and cumbersome, especially when decisions must be made quickly to ensure the business continues to operate effectively. In contrast, traditional corporate structures often prioritize profits over the wellbeing of workers, which directly conflicts with our commitment to a just and egalitarian community.
Shared Ownership, Differing Roles: In a typical community, everyone may contribute equally to shared tasks, like cooking or cleaning. In a cooperative like ours, members hold very different roles—some are farmers or builders, while others handle finances, marketing, or event planning. How do we ensure that all contributions are valued equally while also compensating specialized labor fairly? How do we allocate labor based on the needs of the community and the varying skills, aspirations, and desires of our members?
Growth vs. Sustainability: Business requires growth—without it, we cannot remain competitive or sustainable. But communities thrive on balance and stability, not unchecked expansion. As Happy Castle grows, we must be vigilant to ensure that growth doesn’t come at the unnecessary expense of our people or the environment. As a community, we gain little from subscribing to the idea that money itself is somehow bad or immoral, but rather we believe in ethical limitations to how it is procured and spent.
Our Governance Structure
After years of reflection, research, and sometimes heated debates, we have crafted a hybrid governance model that blends principles of equity, participation, and practicality. This structure is not perfect; it is ever-evolving, as we adapt to new circumstances and challenges. But it reflects our deep commitment to building something sustainable, revolutionary, and grounded in our values.
Pods for Specialization
Happy Castle is divided into smaller groups, or "pods," each responsible for specific aspects of the community and business. These pods are designed to be semi-autonomous—able to make decisions within their realm of expertise, but always in alignment with the broader goals of the collective. There’s a Labor Pod, a Finance Pod, an Events Pod, and many others. This division allows for specialization without losing sight of the collective vision, ensuring that the unique strengths of each member contribute to the whole.
Consensus with Guardrails
We firmly believe in the power of consensus, but we also recognize that it can lead to indecision and stagnation if applied to every situation. For day-to-day operations and smaller decisions, each pod has the autonomy to act independently. For larger, more significant decisions, we use a consensus model, but with a fallback mechanism: if consensus cannot be reached after a reasonable period, the decision moves to a two-thirds majority vote. This ensures we remain inclusive and collaborative, while avoiding the paralysis that consensus can sometimes cause.
It's crucial to understand that consensus doesn’t mean everyone agrees wholeheartedly—rather, it means that, after open discussion and modifications, everyone is at least willing to try the decision or tolerate it in the service of the greater good. Rarely will a decision be blocked by one or two voices if the rest of the community is on board. But if it is, good old fashioned democracy will prevail.
Transparency and Participatory Governance
Transparency is an absolute cornerstone of our governance model. Every member of Happy Castle has access to meeting notes, financial reports, and strategic plans. We hold monthly all-hands meetings where every member has the opportunity to voice concerns, propose new ideas, or challenge existing decisions. This ensures that we remain accountable to each other and fosters a deep sense of trust. Transparency, however, is not merely about providing access to information—it’s also about ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and that each decision is made with full knowledge of its implications for both the community and the business.
Shared Profits and Stipends
As a for-profit cooperative, Happy Castle operates under a system where profits are shared among all members. However, rather than equally distributing profits across all our members, each member instead receives a modest stipend to cover living expenses, with additional compensation tied to their labor contributions, length of membership, and the overall financial success of the enterprise. This system allows us to reward hard work, dedication, and innovation.
However, the vast majority of profits generated from Happy Castle’s revenue streams—whether through the festival, campground, workshops, or merchandise—are funneled into a collective treasury. This fund is used for the growth and development of the community, ensuring that resources are distributed fairly, with consensus-based approval from all members. This structure helps ensure that no special-interest factions have undue influence over financial decisions, and that the collective needs of the community take precedence over individual desires.
A Culture of Conflict Resolution
Any intentional community will inevitably face conflicts, and if these are ignored or poorly managed, the community will break down. At Happy Castle, we have created a culture of constructive conflict resolution, guided by trained mediators within the community. This process ensures that disagreements are addressed before they fester, and that people feel heard, respected, and supported in resolving issues in a way that benefits everyone.
Why This Works for Us
This hybrid approach to governance might not be suitable for every intentional community, but it works for us at Happy Castle. Here’s why:
It Reflects Our Reality: We’re not just a group of idealists dreaming about a better world—we’re actively creating a system that combines the best of community-building with the realities of running a business. Ignoring the need for efficiency and growth would jeopardize our long-term success. Yes, we are artists, visionaries, and anarchists, but we are also entrepreneurs, builders, and businesswomen.
It Values Both People and Profits: Our governance structure places people at the center. By prioritizing transparency, shared ownership, and fair compensation, we are creating a system that uplifts workers rather than exploiting them. Yes, we want our businesses to grow and thrive, but we will never lose sight of the fact that Happy Castle’s purpose is to provide a fulfilling, enriching, and sustainable life for its members, while inspiring the world through this example of cooperative, ethical business practice.
It’s Adaptable: We know we won’t get everything right on the first try, and that’s okay. Our governance structure is designed to evolve as we learn, grow, and face new challenges. We’ve established central organizing principles by which to measure our actions, but we understand that life will take us down unexpected paths. Our structure is flexible, always open to modification, as long as we stay true to our core values.
The Road Ahead
Balancing community and business is a constant process of learning, experimenting, and adapting. But we are committed to doing the work. We will fail sometimes, and we will succeed at other times—but the most important thing is that we stay true to our values. Equality, sustainability, creativity, activism, and generosity are the guiding principles of Happy Castle, and they inform everything we do.
Happy Castle is more than just a commune or a business; it’s an experiment in transcending the cultural and institutional limitations imposed on human relationships by late-stage capitalism. It is a project aimed at discovering what is possible when people come together around a shared vision of community and commit to building something extraordinary. It won’t always be easy, but the best things never are.
What do you think? Have you encountered governance models that inspire you? How do you think we can strike the balance between community and business? Let’s keep the conversation going—share your thoughts in the comments or email me directly.
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