Overview of Polestar Village / Polestar Community

Polestar Village and Polestar Community are created by Polestar Gardens, Inc. (an educational non-profit 501c3) to express its essential values: Spirit, Community and Lifelong Learning. The guidelines, CC&Rs, bylaws, articles, and other documents are designed to perpetuate these principles in all their expressions. 

The relationship between Polestar Gardens, Inc., Polestar Village and Polestar Community should be treated as indivisible, subject to these documents. Every effort is made to ensure that these central principles are kept fresh, dynamic, and relevant to daily life. 

Polestar’s underlying values are based on cooperation, collaboration, inclusivity, trust, and mutual service. Polestar embraces the philosophy of “each for all and all for each” as the most practical and effective approach to human prosperity. We understand that our essential interdependence with each other, our planet and all of life requires an expanded view of ourselves. 

In communities, it is the culture primarily, rather than the written governance documents, that guides the day-to-day flow of decision making. Our goal for community culture is that each owner and resident of Polestar, whatever their financial status or ownership position, be honored as having a stake and a voice in the community; each voice matters; and each voice is heard. Along with this, we want to acknowledge all the qualities, talents and skills that make real cooperation possible (and rare!): emotional maturity, goodwill, respect, compassion, leadership, humility, kindness, forgiveness and so much more. Because these qualities are often found wanting in all of us, (and no form of governance can save us from their absence), we especially seek to create a community culture that supports each individual’s cultivation of these qualities. We see this ‘inner work’ as our primary individual responsibility and most enduring contribution to each other and our communities. 

We hope and expect our ongoing decision-making process to be based, if not on consensus, at least on consent. This is the essence of cooperation: that we include differing points of view but are mature enough to be supportive and are able to move forward, even when our own opinions are not given first priority. When we ask the question – “What is trying to happen?”- we can look beyond our own biases and see a larger reality, inclusive of others’ energy and ideas.  Cultivating inclusivity is hard work and its success will vary with the patience, skill and experience of the specific individuals involved. Nevertheless, it is an essential ideal, and by continuously striving toward it, we will created the most fully-engaged and dynamic community possible. 

Written governance agreements often come into sharp focus during times of conflict. In the absence of cooperation and consent, after every effort has been made to reach it, our documents will provide practical pathways forward for making essential decisions. 

As a strategy for minimizing the potential for conflict, we have tried to be very clear about Polestar’s vision and values.  

Polestar is open to anyone who is interested but we ask each potential owner/resident to think deeply about whether its stated values are a ‘fit’ for you. A deep understanding of, and resonance with, Polestar’s values and a commitment to endeavoring to express them in one’s life, will go a long way to creating a thriving and harmonious community.