This agreement adapts to the reality of the community in the moment we live in, the pre-comunal phase, in which we do not yet have a housing infrastructure. On the one hand we believe that it is essential to work continuously on the cohesion of the group, creating a community based on mutual aid and solidarity, and developing relationships, cohesion, trust, cooperation, knowledge and empathy among each other. In addition, we see the need for a period in which to work on the integration between the established group and incoming members.
To this end, we have agreed to carry out a Comunal Learning Process (PAC in spanish), which is a continuous process in which all the people who are part of Hebra participate, both the inhabitants, who have already been admitted and the new arrivals. This process, for which we count on the help of external facilitators, consists of carrying out activities focussing on emotional work and group relations that can vary from workshops, group dynamics, emotional assemblies, retreats, leisure activities… As it is a permanent process in the community, we design the activites based on the needs of the group as a rule, setting short, medium or long term objectives. One of the objectives that must be fulfilled is the prevention and resolution of conflicts, understanding that these are group, and not individual problems.
In order to achieve the objectives of the PAC, the participation of all the inhabitants of Hebra in the activities is essential, otherwise it is not possible to speak of a complete group work. The PAC is in turn the natural means for integration between the existing group and new incorporations, seeking to reduce the emotional distance, and get everyone to make the project their own and feel fully part of the community. It is the means for a person to really see if they want to be part of this life project, and for the group to value this integration.
We currently consider it necessary to carry out an average of one PAC programmed activity per month, in addition to all the leisure activities that can be carried out, which will always help group cohesion.
Integration process.
The way to be part of Hebra is by invitation from one or more of its inhabitants. The proposal will be made in a Maiga and, if there is consensus, the person will be invited to enter the project. If she or he accepts the invitation, we will assign one or several mentors to the new inhabitant, who will assist the new member during the period of their integration, explaining the functioning and agreements of Hebra and attend to the new member´s needs; they will be the cmmunication channel between the group and that person. In cases that we consider necessary (because the person is unknown to the majority of the group, for example) we can carry out an interview with 2 or 3 inhabitants to dissipate our or their doubts and try to know the motivations and ideas of the person.
From the moment those who accept our invitation begin to participate in Hebra activities, an integration period of one year is opened. It is an opportunity for that person to check if they like Hebra and for them and us to see how we all would fit into a project that will affect our lives in a decisive way. During this time, when they will have the same rights as the previous inhabitants of Hebra (including the right of veto in the Assembly), the new member also acquire the commitment to contribute to the development of the community.
Constant communication is needed in both directions, expressing feelings, things we believe need to change, etc. We have various means to achieve this, such as mentors, emotional assemblies and the natural relationship between inhabitants on a day-to-day basis.
After a year the period of integration of a person ends. In that moment the definitive inhabitants must reach an agreement in a Maiga on the final incorporation of the person to Hebra. The assembly may agree to extend the deadline for making the decision in the time it deems necessary.