Members and The Eight Stages of Stewardship

Proposals
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#1

This is my first attempt at putting the 8 Stages into practice for the upcoming membership year:

:seedling: Membership Progression in the Diamante Bridge Collective

From Guest to Guardian — how participation deepens through the Stages of Stewardship

The Diamante Bridge Collective is a living ecosystem of people, places, and projects.
Our membership evolves through participation: as each person contributes time, care, and creativity, they naturally move from visitor to steward to trustee.
This pathway follows the 8 Stages of Stewardship, our guide for belonging and responsibility in the Commons.

:herb: How It Works

Membership grows through participation and reciprocity.
The more we show up, the more voice and responsibility we carry — and the more support and recognition we receive.

:cyclone: Stages of Belonging

Stage Community Role Participation Expectations Membership Rights
1. Wayfinder Visitor / Ecotourist Attend an orientation or event. Learn about DBC values and make a simple offering (song, story, service). Guest participant. May join open events and volunteer. No member-only access, no vote.
2. Seed Planter Volunteer / Helper Offer 10–15 hours of service or help host an event. Attend one community workday or cultural gathering. Recognized supporter. Can co-host events with guidance. Optional Bloom impact tracking. No member-only access, no vote.
3. Rooted Ally Resident Apprentice Participate consistently for 3+ months. Attend an Assembly as observer. Contribute in 2+ forms of capital. Provisional Member. Voice (no vote) in assemblies.
4. Fire Tender Project Lead / Mentor Anchor a project or host a program. Mentor a new participant. Join at least half of Assemblies each year. Active Member. Full voice and vote. Eligible for Working Circles and DBC recognition.
5. Circle Holder Community Steward Lead councils or working circles. Eligible for small stipends or team roles. Eligible for Junta Directiva or coordination roles. May represent DBC in partnerships or budgets.
6. Home Maker Resident Steward Hold long-term role (6+ months). Care for land, facility, or program. Host one community event annually. Eligible for Commons Stewardship Agreements and housing or use agreements.
7. Trustee Guardian / Council Member Minimum 3 years of active contribution and leadership. Appointed by Council of Stewards. Serves on Trust Council. Co-signs legal or fiduciary decisions. Votes on constitutional changes.
8. Wisdom Keeper Elder / Cultural Mentor Recognized by the community for long service or blessing. Honorary Member. Advisory voice, no duties, carries lineage and memory.

:ear_of_rice: Membership Tiers

  • Guests (Stages 1–2): Participation by invitation; no legal membership yet.
  • Provisional Members (Stage 3): Beginning to hold voice and accountability.
  • Active Members (Stages 4–6): Full rights and responsibilities; eligible for benefits, roles, and Commons agreements.
  • Trustees (Stage 7): Legal and ethical guardians of the Collective.
  • Honorary / Elders (Stage 8): Carriers of wisdom; voice without vote.

:earth_africa: Tracking & Recognition

Participation may be optionally logged through Bloom, allowing us to celebrate impact stories and offer recognition across the 8 Forms of Capital.
Advancement happens through peer acknowledgment and service, not hierarchy — it’s an organic process guided by presence, integrity, and contribution.

:speech_balloon: Next Steps

If you’re new here, start by reading our Constitution and Membership Covenant, then join an orientation circle to begin your journey as a Wayfinder.
For returning or active members, you can reconfirm, pause, or update your membership anytime using our forum forms.

Together we weave the bridge between people, place, and purpose — one stage of stewardship at a time. :bridge_at_night:

#2

Plain English Version (Versión en español simple al final):

:seedling: How Membership Grows in the Diamante Bridge Collective

From Visitor to Elder — Building Trust Through Participation

Our community grows stronger when everyone takes part.
Being a member of the Diamante Bridge Collective means showing up, helping out, and caring for this place and each other.
As people participate more, they receive more voice, trust, and responsibility.
This process follows the 8 Stages of Stewardship — a simple path from visitor to guardian.

:herb: Stages of Belonging

Stage Community Role How to Participate Your Rights
1. Wayfinder Visitor Come to an orientation, meeting, or event. Learn about our values and how we work. Make a small offering — like a song, story, or helping hand. Welcome as a guest. You can join open events but don’t vote yet.
2. Seed Planter Volunteer Offer time or work — like helping in the garden, kitchen, or an event. Join one community workday each season. You’re a helper. You can join volunteer groups and learn from others.
3. Rooted Ally Resident Apprentice Join regularly for three months or more. Help with at least two kinds of contribution (skills, materials, ideas, care). Provisional Member. You can speak in assemblies, and start to help lead.
4. Fire Tender Project Lead / Mentor Take care of a small project or group. Support a new member. Join at least half of assemblies each year. Active Member. You can vote in assemblies and hold small leadership roles.
5. Circle Holder Community Steward Help guide meetings or councils. Learn how we make decisions together. Help keep harmony and clear communication. You can help organize events, represent the Collective, and guide decisions.
6. Home Maker Resident Steward Live or stay long-term. Care for land, facilities, or a shared project. Host at least one community event each year. You can hold Commons Stewardship Agreements — formal care for land or space.
7. Trustee Guardian After several years of active service and trust, help care for the long-term vision and agreements. You can join the Trust Council, make big decisions, and sign official documents.
8. Wisdom Keeper Elder Recognized for long-time service and care. Share your experience, stories, and blessings. Honorary Member. You advise, guide, and are always welcome — no formal duties.

:ear_of_rice: Membership Levels

  • Visitors (Stages 1–2): Welcome guests who learn and help.
  • Provisional Members (Stage 3): Starting to take responsibility and voice.
  • Active Members (Stages 4–6): Voting members who hold roles and agreements.
  • Trustees (Stage 7): Guardians of the organization and land.
  • Elders (Stage 8): Honored guides who carry memory and wisdom.

:earth_africa: Recognition and Celebration

We honor everyone’s contributions — whether time, energy, skills, or care.
Members can choose to track their participation through Bloom, where we share stories and celebrate community impact.
Moving through the stages happens naturally — through presence, service, and relationships — not by titles or hierarchy.

:speech_balloon: How to Begin

If you’re new, start as a Wayfinder.
Read our Constitution and Membership Covenant, come to an orientation, and join one event.
That’s how the path begins — with your first step of care and connection.

We’re all learning, growing, and tending the bridge together. :bridge_at_night:

:seedling: Cómo Crece la Membresía en la Asociación Puente Diamante Colectiva

De Visitante a Sabio — Creciendo Juntos con Confianza

Nuestra comunidad se hace más fuerte cuando todas las personas participan.
Ser parte de la Asociación Puente Diamante Colectiva significa mostrar interés, ayudar, y cuidar este lugar y a las personas que lo habitan.
A medida que alguien participa más, gana más voz, confianza y responsabilidad.
Este camino sigue las 8 Etapas de Mayordomía (Stewardship) — una guía sencilla para pasar de visitante a sabio, de aprendiz a guardián de la comunidad.

Nuestra comunidad se hace más fuerte cuando todas las personas participan.
Ser parte de la Asociación Puente Diamante Colectiva significa mostrar interés, ayudar, y cuidar este lugar y a las personas que lo habitan.
A medida que alguien participa más, gana más voz, confianza y responsabilidad.
Este camino sigue las 8 Etapas de Mayordomía (Stewardship) — una guía sencilla para pasar de visitante a guardián.

:herb: Etapas de Pertenencia

Etapa Rol en la Comunidad Cómo Participar Tus Derechos
1. Wayfinder (Explorador) Visitante Ven a una reunión, círculo o actividad. Aprende sobre nuestros valores y cómo funcionamos. Haz una pequeña ofrenda — como una canción, historia o una mano amiga. Bienvenido/a como invitado/a. Puedes participar en actividades abiertas, pero todavía no tienes voto.
2. Seed Planter (Sembrador) Voluntario/a Ofrece tu tiempo o trabajo — en la huerta, cocina, limpieza, o apoyo en eventos. Participa en al menos una jornada comunitaria por temporada. Eres un/a colaborador/a. Puedes unirte a grupos de trabajo y aprender con otros.
3. Rooted Ally (Aliado/a con Raíces) Aprendiz / Participante Local Participa de forma constante durante tres meses o más. Colabora con al menos dos tipos de aportes (habilidades, materiales, ideas o cuidado). Miembro Provisional. Puedes tener voz en las asambleas y empezar a ayudar en tareas de liderazgo.
4. Fire Tender (Cuidador/a del Fuego) Líder de Proyecto / Mentor Coordina un pequeño proyecto o grupo. Apoya a una persona nueva. Participa en al menos la mitad de las asambleas del año. Miembro Activo. Tienes voz y voto. Puedes ocupar cargos en equipos de trabajo y recibir reconocimientos.
5. Circle Holder (Guardián/a del Círculo) Coordinador/a Comunitario/a Facilita reuniones o consejos. Aprende y practica cómo tomamos decisiones juntos. Ayuda a mantener la armonía y buena comunicación. Puedes representar a la Asociación, ayudar a organizar eventos y guiar decisiones.
6. Home Maker (Cuidador/a del Hogar) Mayordomo/a Residente Vives o participas a largo plazo. Cuidas la tierra, las instalaciones o un proyecto. Organiza al menos una actividad comunitaria al año. Puedes firmar Acuerdos de Custodia del Común (Commons Stewardship Agreements) — responsabilidades oficiales sobre tierras o espacios.
7. Trustee (Fideicomisario / Guardián) Consejero/a Después de varios años de servicio activo, ayudas a cuidar la visión y los acuerdos a largo plazo. Puedes ser parte del Consejo de Confianza (Trust Council), tomar decisiones importantes y firmar documentos oficiales.
8. Wisdom Keeper (Sabio/a / Guardián/a de la Memoria) Elder / Mentor Cultural Reconocido/a por muchos años de servicio y cuidado. Compartes tu experiencia, historias y bendiciones. Miembro Honorario. Aconsejas y acompañas; no tienes deberes formales.

:ear_of_rice: Niveles de Membresía

  • Visitantes (Etapas 1–2): Personas que vienen a conocer y ayudar.
  • Miembros Provisionales (Etapa 3): Comienzan a tener voz y responsabilidad.
  • Miembros Activos (Etapas 4–6): Tienen voz y voto; pueden asumir roles y acuerdos.
  • Fideicomisarios / Guardianes (Etapa 7): Cuidan la visión y los asuntos legales.
  • Sabios / Honorarios (Etapa 8): Acompañan como consejeros y portadores de memoria.

:earth_africa: Reconocimiento y Agradecimiento

Reconocemos todos los aportes — tiempo, energía, habilidades o cuidado.
Cada persona puede elegir si quiere registrar sus aportes en Bloom, donde compartimos historias y celebramos el impacto de la comunidad.
Avanzar en las etapas no depende de jerarquías, sino de la presencia, el servicio y las relaciones de confianza.

:speech_balloon: Cómo Empezar

Si eres nuevo/a, empieza como Wayfinder (Explorador/a).
Lee nuestra Constitución y el Acuerdo de Membresía, ven a una orientación y participa en una actividad.
Así comienza el camino — con tu primer paso de cuidado y conexión.

Estamos aprendiendo, creciendo y construyendo el puente juntos. :bridge_at_night:

1 Like
#3

This is great, I would like to give credit to all of the collaborators that have worked on this to this point. Here we have a great roadmap for future fulfillment of land stewardship and trustee roles for land nodes. Currently we do not have more land nodes than the 1st test case (Diamante Luz) to prove the viability of the staged process of commons stewardship that would lead to personal land stewardship parcels within land trusts that are supporting this model of commons land and capital management. I propose that we make a delineation that at this time that we are offering up to Stage 5 until we gain more traction as a group, before the upper stages are initiated into the program. It is good to show where we are headed, and it is a beautiful vision that I really want to see come into reality.

1 Like
#4

**** I am rewriting this post ****
Check back soon