GENOA is registered as an incorporated association in Queensland, Australia. GENOA’s day-to-day functions are held by the Operations/Office Circle, a small group of individuals who carry out the critical functions of the organisation in relation to administration, finance, networking, communications and capacity building, while also ensuring there is follow through of GENOA’s strategy.
The Operations/Office Circle is guided by the GENOA Council, representatives from the network, who carry out GENOA’s visioning and strategy development. The Council fulfills the legal needs of GENOA Inc. In addition, the Council and Operation Circles are consulted by the Wisdom Keepers.
GENOA also has Projects Circles, which carry out one-off or recurring special projects that support capacity building, networking, and outreach within the region, while also generating income for GENOA Inc.
Since GENOA Inc is based on a network model, where it is just one node in the wider ecosystem, the Network Circle is crucial. It includes all entities that recognise our organisation’s values and the principles of ecovillage. The network consists of individuals, ecovillages, forming ecovillages, projects and kindred spirit organisations and networks.
Together, the Operations Circle, Council and Project Circle holds space for GENOA’s values and activate the networks, people, and resources to carry out activities in the region. GENOA works primarily through developing meaningful relationships with individuals and networks, observing patterns throughout the region, and connecting people in synergy to catalyse the energy that already exists in the region.
Decision making in GENOA
The team in GENOA is practicing Fair & Inclusive Decision Making in the team by using consent-based decision making and advice process. For example, proposals about operational and system of the organization are developed by the Operations Circle and then brought to a consent-based decision making process in the Council. The Operations and the Council seek advices from the Wisdom Keepers to better inform their decision. GENOA also encourage project teams to apply fair and inclusive decision making methods of their choice.
GENOA encompasses four culturally distinct subregions:
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia
- East Asia
- Oceania
Our Global Network
GENOA is part of the Global Ecovillage Network, an evolving network of thousands of regenerative communities and initiatives that bridges cultures, countries, and continents through its five regional networks and its international youth branch, NextGEN.
As a regional arm of GEN International, GENOA has three representatives who sit in the GEN Network Steward Circle (NSC), ensuring there is a good information flow between the region and the broader networks and enactment of GEN’s strategy and development.
“We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
