Why do I need a membership?
As Synchronicity grew over the years, we decided on a wholly inclusive membership model to avoid legal, insurance, tax and even law enforcement headaches.Basically, to make it easier to purchase insurance and event permits, and to keep any single individual from shouldering the burden, and to cover our asses, we settled on our current membership structure. So far, it's worked out pretty well.
Who can become a member?
That's easy. Anyone. We welcome any individual who would like to become a member, as long as they do so with our basics requirements in mind. These membership requirements include your enthusiasm, participation and desire to work with others to accomplish something bigger than yourself. Please, however, be comfortable leaving any criticism, ego and agenda at the door while working with some amazing and creative people.
What can I expect if I join?
That all depends on you. There is no "organizer," no "president" and no "leader." There are only volunteers who claim self-appointed stations and who make things happen.
Some of our volunteers include Earth Guardians, Rangers, Greeters, Bartenders, Truck Drivers, Event Coordinators, Art Curators, Artists, Builders, Burners, DJs, Fire Spinners, Web Designers, Photographers, Treasurers, Painters, Decorators, Recording Secretaries, Propagandists, Welders, Laminators, Pyro's, an Outdoor Drinking Team, and even a Sheriff (of Boomtown, that is.)
Your station is your choice, should you volunteer. An event sponsored by a member of Synchronicity is never
"their" event, but "our" event. We all make them happen, and hopefully you'll be interested in helping.
What is a membership?
Basically, think of your membership as your ticket to our retreat.
Membership also entitles you to member privileges, which usually equates to free beer, free admission, and the ability to volunteer at our events. It also guarantees your admission to our annual week-long retreat and burn in Kentucky. A membership lasts for a single year, and costs $36.50.
We hold "official" member meetings about once a month, and more frequently when there's a lot to plan. Meetings are announced on both our Web site and through an email list-serve that's simple to join. As a member, you might even get a nifty laminate card with your picture on it.
While we strive for radical inclusion to most of our events, due to our membership structure, there are several events restricted to members only, our summer retreat included. You can't go if you're not a member.
What do I have to do to join Synchronicity?
Synchronicity is not a club. It is a group of like-minded individuals who've found that we can get more done together, than as individuals. It has evolved organically over time, and has never involved an application process.
We don't have a particular agenda or political affiliation. We don't consider your race, age, gender, religion, sexual preference, marital status, or whatever other banal qualifiers you can think of.
Quite simply, we want people who are happy to join us when they find us.
Do you want to express yourself? Plan something? Find an excuse to get crazy in the upcoming months? Then you've found some great people.
Must I have attended Burning Man in order to join Synchronicity?
No. While many of our members have attended the Burning Man festival for the better part of a decade or longer, it doesn't matter how many times you've been to the event yourself, if ever.
Is Synchronicity an official regional burn? Is it supposed to be like Burning Man?
No. It's not supposed to be anything except what you contribute to it. Since our inception, it's been our express intention that are not Burning Man, we are not affiliated with Burning Man, nor do we aspire to create a similar event.
While many of our members love and draw inspiration from their experiences in the Black Rock desert, we have no intention of creating a similar event here.
It is more accurate to say that many of our members have been there and we have brought back that knowledge, magic, energy, spirit, community, warmth and eagerness to create something fun, meaningful and worthwhile, right in our own backyard.
There are myriad similarities we have borrowed and adapted from Burning Man, but that event serves merely as our inspiration, not our aspiration.
For events officially affiliated with the Burning Man Festival, visit www.burningman.com.
Once I join Synchronicity, is participation mandatory?
No, but like lots of things in life, what you put into your experience here, is what you get out of it. We simply present an amazing network of people to work with.
It's up to you to take advantage of opportunities, share your gifts, extend your resources and express your interests. What you give is what you get.
Meetings are also NOT mandatory, but they are a great place to find out about things, socialize, plan an event, volunteer to help, or recruit volunteers to help execute your own ideas.
In addition, there are lots of "unofficial" events that take place within the context of Synchronicity that are worth getting involved with, and are easy to hear about.
Can I get kicked out of Synchronicity?
Yes, though it is a problem we have rarely had to deal with. Yet, any individual who disrupts our events in a manner that is deemed unacceptable, who becomes violent, or is grossly disrespectful to our members or guests, or proves to be a consistent nuisance, will be asked to leave.
While we adore and encourage self-expression in its many forms, we also highly value respect for each other. Applying common sense goes a long way to avoid such conflicts.
Why do I have to pay a fee?
All membership fees go toward a variety of items that we decide on as a group. Our memberships fees are our budget. In the past, these expenditures have included kegs, event laminates, building supplies, wood, insurance, truck rentals, fuel, and land permits for our yearly week-long retreat.
When can I get a membership?
We are currently accepting memberships for 2008. Membership typically lasts from April through April. Membership deadline is the roughly the last week of June.
