Your Questions Answered: January Q&A
Where our Funds Go, Emphasizing Face-to-Face, & Liberating Structures
Q1: “Why does VillageCo fundraise?”
VillageCo fundraisers keep our vibrant community growing and thriving! Even though we’re entirely volunteer-run, donations help us provide essential tools - like Airtable to keep Villages organized - and offer stipends to recognize our most dedicated volunteers. Funds we receive also help with new projects, expand outreach, and ensure every Village Builder has the support they need to create spaces of belonging and connection. Every contribution strengthens the movement, making it possible for more people to find support and joy in their communities. We created our very own circle of supporters called The Giving Circle - here you can see the exciting campaigns and FUNdraising activities we’ve been up to!
Q2: “What’s VillageCo’s stance on online communications?”
At VillageCo, we prioritize face-to-face connection because we believe it's the most meaningful way to build deep connections, and a true sense of knowing others (and yourself in the process). While we use online tools, they serve to support real-world relationships rather than replace them. Our social media presence isn’t about reaching the widest audience possible - it’s about fostering deep, personal, and sustainable connections. We value slow, intentional communication over fast, fleeting interactions, ensuring that everything we share aligns with the heart of our mission: to expand our capacity for community with simple (humanistic!) tools and practices that deepen connections.
Q3: From a Builder: “What if I don’t want to use the builder’s structure?”
At VillageCo, we understand that every community is unique, and we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. The Village gathering model isn’t about rigid structure - it’s about creating a container that allows connection, trust, and shared purpose to emerge naturally. What matters most is that the core practices are present in some form: Grounding (helping people feel comfortable in the group), Acknowledgements (bringing light to challenges or gratitude), Community Connections (encouraging 1-on-1 interactions), and Open Space (enabling group discussions around attendee-inspired questions)
Rather than strict rules, we see these as guiding principles that can be adapted to fit the needs of any group. We take inspiration from Sociocracy, which balances structure with shared decision-making, and Open Space Technology, which allows for self-organized, dynamic discussions. Within this framework, there’s room for freedom and creativity - something beautifully explored in Liberating Structures, a set of facilitation techniques designed to unlock participation and engagement. (Learn more at Liberating Structures).
So if a group doesn’t want to use the full Village gathering model, that’s completely fine! What’s important is that the practices show up in a way that feels natural and useful for the people involved. We encourage exploration within structure - because when there’s just enough shape to hold a space, the real magic of community-building can unfold.
Food for Thought
When do you tend to prefer reaching out online vs. in person or a call?
What are the benefits of structure in a community gathering?