the Goodenough
Community

With great care and deliberation, the Goodenough Community is beginning the process of inviting interested and qualified folks to apply for residency at Sahale Learning Center. After experiencing a decrease in numbers in the last few years due to aging and restructuring, and by planning for the future, the way is now open to welcome new people who enjoy the rustic beauty at Sahale, have experience living in community, and align with the mission and vision of our community.

 

For about 23 years, Sahale has been the land base (45 acres, some of which is in the process of being put into conservation) for the Goodenough Community, which has been a non-residential community of practice centered around the greater Seattle area for over 50 years. Sahale was established as a place for the community to hold and host its events and programs, rather than renting other facilities. 

 

With the aging and loss of founders and some of the first leaders, we are in a transition! While only a few people live at Sahale, community members residing in the Seattle metropolitan area and beyond come for gatherings at Sahale and to enjoy the land. About 15 people participate regularly by Zoom in organizational meetings covering all aspects of Sahale and the community. 

We are currently seeking people who are comfortable with transition and have experience merging new with old. In the coming years, major change is inevitable everywhere and we hope for Sahale and the Goodenough Community to bring our own wisdom to the work needed while learning from new creative ideas. People who move to Sahale now will be the future, bringing shared wisdom and resilience. 

Sahale has also developed a retreat center/campground business, which is a major income source for the community. While the shape of this business is being reviewed and evaluated, Sahale will continue to host groups and individuals in some capacity, as well as be a home for Goodenough Community events. 

 

Historically, one of Sahale’s goals was to become an ecovillage, fostering a strong residential community practicing sensitive land care practices such as permaculture, but for various reasons this has not manifested as strongly. We are aiming to change that! This shift will include repurposing and creating new housing and infrastructure that reflects ecological and community living principles and that supports growth in our numbers.

 

Currently there are four people living at Sahale, but we are aiming to grow the residential community, possibly to as many as several dozen people. 

 

A good candidate for residency would have these qualities: 

 

You believe in our vision and mission statements:​

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• Vision: the future we’re creating

Inspiring a conscious, just, and peaceful world through deep connection to self, community, and nature

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• Mission: what we are doing now to make that happen

We serve individuals and communities by creating opportunities for lifelong, experiential learning that cultivates personal transformation, deep relationship, and regenerative community.

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• You hold a strong commitment to personal growth, healthy relationships and culture, and giving and receiving feedback. You have a calm, partnership-oriented working style and are skilled in using tools to help you manage emotionality and personal triggers.

• You believe in and will abide by our Code of Conduct.

• You see the vision and potential for the kind of community we are creating, rather than simply looking for a comfortable place to settle down. 

• You approach community living with an attitude of service and good-natured flexibility.

• You have existing skills or a strong desire to learn skills in any of the following areas:

  • Permaculture

  • Ecosystem restoration 

  • Infrastructure maintenance and development

  • Event organizing

  • Large-scale cooking and kitchen management

  • Business administration

  • Organizational development

  • Culture and relationship building 

  • Fundraising and grant writing

  • Campground management

• You have prior experience living in an intentional community or being part of other kinds of cooperative organizations.

• Ideally, you are part of an ongoing program of the Goodenough Community

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A variety of housing options are available, including individual, free-standing dwellings, and rooms in shared houses. However none are particularly well suited for long-term residency at this point, and a good deal of flexibility will be needed from new residents in the short-to-medium term as we figure out together how to better accommodate residents with either new or existing infrastructure. We are open to people who could bring a tiny house. All bathrooms are shared, and there are almost no private kitchens.

 

The first step of the process is to write a letter of introduction. Please send us a letter including this information:

• Some info about yourself

• Description of any community experience you have

• Why you're excited about Sahale and the Goodenough Community

• Any particular skills or gifts you’re excited to bring

• Any particular needs or challenges you anticipate in living at Sahale

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If this sounds like the kind of life you’re excited to create, please reach out to us at community@goodenough.org . We are excited to embark on this new endeavor at Sahale!