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About Riverside |
| The community had its
beginnings in 1941 when a group of Christian Pacifists agreed to adopt a
way of life based on co-operation. They wanted to demonstrate that this
was a practical alternative to the competitive ways of normal society
which are a major contributor to wars. One of the group contributed 30
acres of farmland and orchard, and some of them moved there to live.
The community is situated about 50 km from Nelson and now has 208 ha. about half of which is flat land while the rest is rolling hills. Our main income comes from our dairy farm with its fat stock unit and the commercial orchard. Other businesses include a public garage, a very popular destination café, a small hostel and, also, we host seminars and workshops (albeit on a small scale as part of our marae is being rebuilt.). To add to our diversity we have an organic vegetable garden, an organic home orchard, some pine forest, a native plantation, sheep, one pig, chickens and ducks.
Families and single people have their own homes, children living with their parents and attending the local schools. Our aim is to have one shared lunch and one evening meal together each week. The population of members is about 19 adults plus 17 children, ranging in age from babies to 80 plus. We rent out our other houses and host woofers and other visitors as well, meaning that sometimes there are about 80 people living in the community.
All the community's assets are owned by a registered charitable trust.This means there are no privately owned vehicles and we share the use of two minibuses and four cars. Adult members share responsibility for the management of the Community. Most work on site. Decisions are arrived at by consensus at weekly business meetings. Major planning is done at the Annual General Meeting. All adults receive the same cash income with parents also having an allowance for each child or dependent. Income received by members who work outside the community, or who are beneficiaries, goes into the general account. All power, telephone charges (apart from tolls) and medical expenses are paid from the general fund.
Prospective members interested in joining, should first visit informally; hostel accommodation is usually available out of the harvest season. The next step is to write giving some background information about yourself and ask to make a formal two week visit. During this visit you will stay in self-contained facilities, be invited to meals in members homes and share in work and other activities. After an interval for reflection, you may now wish to write applying for probationary membership. This trial period is for up to two years, during which any private assets you have are frozen and you will live on the same basis as all other members. Formerly when accepted as a full member all major assets you have became the property of the Community Trust. A new policy on this is at present being tried out by which any assets remain frozen and are available again on leaving. Any interest earned from this investment becomes the property of the Riverside Community Trust Board. Members leaving after three years or more of full membership, are entitled to a special allowance of 80% of a year's cash allowance, if their private assets are less than this entitlement. We see our way of life as our main contribution to peacemaking. We demonstrate that a community can thrive without being focused on competition, benefiting its members and society. We offer an alternative to societies based on mutual exploitation and an opportunity for people who want to put their group living ideals into practice. |
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