Collaborative Decision Making at Burns Village
How We Decide: Collaborative Living at Burns Village
At Burns Village & Farm, we’re doing more than building homes; we’re co-creating a way of life. One that values mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the collective wisdom of our community.
That’s why decisions here aren’t made behind closed doors. They’re made around kitchen tables, in common rooms, on porches and pathways, where neighbors become co-creators of the community they call home.
Why Collaboration Matters
In traditional neighborhoods, decisions about the environment, shared spaces, or even events often fall to a select few or get overlooked altogether. At Burns Village, every voice matters.
We practice collaborative decision making because we believe:
A diversity of perspectives leads to better outcomes
Transparency fosters trust
Shared investment leads to shared success
Whether it’s deciding how to use a shared garden space, hosting a community event, or discussing the future direction of our village, residents work together to shape the outcome.
How It Works
We're guided by modified consensus and sociocratic principles. We practice facilitated group processes. That might sound formal, but at its heart, it’s about listening deeply, responding respectfully, and finding solutions everyone can live with—even when we disagree.
In practice, that looks like:
Circles of involvement: Small action teams discuss specific topics (like coordinating our outreach activities, organizing membership events, and developing agreements about our group processes) and bring proposals to the wider group.
Consent-based decisions: Instead of seeking unanimous agreement, we aim for “good enough for now, safe enough to try” - which helps us move forward without getting stuck.
Rotating roles and shared facilitation: Leadership is distributed, not concentrated.
Not Just a Process, A Practice
Collaborative decision making isn’t always easy. It takes patience, vulnerability, and a willingness to grow. It’s also incredibly rewarding in the way we support one another in sharing who we are and what is important to each of us..
It reminds us that community isn’t something you consume; It’s something you build, with your time, your care, and your voice.
Because in the end, the most sustainable decisions are the ones made together.
Interested in learning more about what we are building at Burns Village and Farm? Sign up now to become an explorer and learn more.
Join us for an event and discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
July 9th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
July 19th at 12:30 - 1:30
July 20th at 2:00 - 3:30 pm