This is the current version of our Manifesto for Noden. The Manifesto is intended to guide our decisions and behaviour as members and co-creators. It is to be considered a living document, a work in progress, a process where we figure out how we want to be together. Its contents can only be formally changed at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting, though it is encouraged to develop the contents throughout the year through discussions and suggestions of edits.

GIVING

We contribute work, time, efforts and gifts freely to the community. We do not trade, expect reciprocation or ask for anything in return.

Decommodification

In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.

Self-expression

Use this community as your playground of shamelessness, where you can explore whatever you may want to express, while respecting the rights and liberties of the other.

Exploring reality

We welcome experimentation with belief systems, world views and a playful non-dogmatic exploration of life in general. While doing this we always respect each others’ integrity by not preaching, proselytizing or trying to convert others to our beliefs. We oppose the spread of pseudoscientific misinformation.

Radical inclusion

Anyone is welcome to participate in our community, including those who would not include us. When we disagree, we try to do so with civility and care for one another.

Civic responsibility

When you organize or participate in an event, you assume responsibility for the welfare of the other participants and for conducting events in accordance with the law.

Self-organisation

No one is “in charge” of the Node, or rather, everybody is! This means that you are empowered to make decisions, as long as you invite those who are affected by the decision to take part in the decision process, by gathering and listening to advice, and as long as you’re guided by this Manifesto. The only exception to this principle concerns economic and legal decisions, which are the sole (and only) responsibility of the Board.

Leave no trace

We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave places in a better state than when we found them.

Participation

We are a community of a radical participatory culture. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

Consent

We are committed to gaining consent from whom we engage in intimate interaction with, to build trust and to avert predatory or exploitative behaviour. We celebrate physical, spiritual and emotional intimacy by honoring the well being and integrity of our companions.

Ownership

At Noden we intend to grow a culture of ownership. Our community encourages and supports members in taking care of themselves, emotionally, physically and mentally. We are prototyping a mature listening community with courage, responsibility, compassion and kindness.