Semi-Autonomous Communities | Reclaiming Sophia

Semi-Autonomous Communities

of the North Bay, California

Updated 5/12/25

Introduction

In a time of increasing social and political instability, there is great value in building decentralized, community centered organizations that can operate both independently of and interdependently with existing organizational systems. The Semi-Autonomous Communities (SAC) aim to create a resilient “parallel society” grounded in local governing participation and the pursuit of shared, life-affirming values that enhance stability and diversity within existing political, economic, and social systems. As this builds a freestanding social and political organization, it offers an antidote and resource for change amidst abuses within existing exploitative economic, patriarchal, and environmental practices.

SAC is rooted in small, self-organizing neighborhood and interest-based groups that collectively form a decentralized network. These groups are united by a foundational Social Contract and guided by core principles such as individual freedom, gender equity, cultural diversity, and ecological responsibility.

Organizational Structure

Semi-Autonomous Small Groups

Formed by neighbors, friends, or individuals with shared values or interests, each Small Group includes a minimum of two people and functions as a unit of local autonomy. Groups select—by consensus—at least two mixed-gender representatives who are accountable to their group. SGs meet regularly to study and enact the Social Contract. Active SGs declare a group name, general location, and a point of connection within the SAC network. Groups remain intentionally small (ideally under 50 people) to encourage deeper cohesion, shared leadership, and flexibility.

Semi-Autonomous Communities

Representatives from multiple SGs convene as Community Councils. These bodies meet at least monthly to facilitate collaboration across groups, deepen shared practices, and review proposed updates to the Social Contract. Community Councils are the intermediary level in the SAC structure and form the heart of intergroup connectedness.

Semi-Autonomous Districts

Community Councils may federate into District Councils, representing a broader area (e.g., a city, region, or county). District Councils align with the Social Contract and function as coordination hubs, supporting broader-scale policy-making, learning, and mobilization.

To Review

This nested, scalable structure is capable of expansion to larger levels—regionally, nationally, and beyond—while maintaining grassroots democracy at its core.

The Social Contract

(Draft 5/12/25)

The Social Contract is both the foundation and the binding thread of the Semi-Autonomous Communities. It defines the shared values, practices, and responsibilities that unify our network of locally-rooted groups, while also allowing for dynamic collaboration with existing political, economic, and social systems.

This current version is a working draft. It is intended to evolve through collective input from Small Groups and Community Councils. Changes to the Social Contract occur only through participatory, consensus-based processes that filter to the upper Council level where final changes to the Social Contract can be made. This ensures that it remains grassroots, adaptive, and reflective of the SAC's needs and values.

Grassroots Democratic Structure
People organized in Semi-Autonomous Small Groups constitute the ground level upon which decisions and organization flows into the Semi-Autonomous Communities, Districts and beyond. Small Group representatives are chosen by consensus and must include people of mixed genders. These representatives form Councils and remain directly accountable to the groups they represent.
Gender Equity
A minimum of 40% representation by women or gender-diverse individuals is required in all councils. We are committed to dismantling pervasive patriarchal systems and fostering gender balance in leadership and everyday life.
Participation and Contribution
All participants are encouraged to contribute according to their ability. Fulfillment comes through participation and shared responsibility, not dependency.
Cultural Pluralism and Individual Freedom
We honor the individual's pursuit of freedom in all areas of life provided it does not infringe on others’ rights or freedoms. Spiritual, religious, cultural, and ideological diversity is honored. We actively guard against the imposition of fundamentalist or coercive belief systems.
Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution
Inspired by the teachings of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., we reject violence and the use of power over as responses to conflict. We promote facilitated conflict and restorative justice processes to resolve disputes within and between communities.
Ecological Responsibility
Environmental stewardship is a primary responsibility of the Semi-Autonomous Communities. We prioritize practices that restore ecosystems and foster sustainable relationships between humans and the natural world.
Economic Justice
We strive to reduce inequality by reimagining economic systems to prioritize sustainability, equity, and collective well-being.
Media Literacy and Open Dialogue
We value a free press and critical thinking. Promoting media literacy and encouraging open dialogue helps guard against manipulation and fosters healthy exchanges of ideas across different values and world views.
Negating Ideological Polarization
We reject rigid ideologies—such as “woke” or “anti-woke”—and instead embrace open, respectful and nuanced dialogue to explore our differences and seek to find a common higher ground of shared values.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
Emotional awareness, empathic responsiveness to others and sensitivity to the dynamics of attachment or bonding in human relations are key to the overall well-being of the community.
Transformative Education
Education reflects cultural diversity, fosters critical and systems thinking, and supports lifelong learning.
Inner Development
Personal growth—including each person's pursuit of emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being—is essential to community health and resilience.
Redefining Success
We value contribution, connection, and purpose over material accumulation.
Integration of Knowledge Forms
Science, art, and spirituality are embraced as interconnected ways of knowing and engaging with the world.
Food Sovereignty and Health
Community-based quality food production and healthy living are foundational to both personal well-being and communal resilience.
Anti-Racism and Decolonization
We actively confront systemic racism and work to heal the legacies of colonization, especially toward Indigenous and historically marginalized peoples.
Immigrant Rights
Not overlooking the tragedy of the first nations people on this land, The United States has been a nation built by immigrants. In Northern California, immigrant labor remains vital to agriculture, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and other key sectors. SAC affirms the dignity and rights of immigrant workers and their families. While national immigration policy struggles to balance security with global human movement, SAC Communities work in tandem with these policies to protect immigrant rights and ensure safety. Each Small Group and Community may also develop its own approaches immigrant rights through consensus, grounded in local context and values.
Responsibility of and for Elders
People in their older years, (approx. 65+) have the responsibility to cultivate and gather their aged wisdom in a way that can help to steer the culture in positive directions, pointing out aspects of growth and character that may not necessarily be as available to younger people. Also, Small Groups and Semi-Autonomous Communities have a responsibility to include the Elders in as much of their activities as is possible.
LGBTQI+ Inclusion
We honor the full spectrum of sexual and gender identities. SAC is committed to awareness, understanding, and inclusion for LGBTQI+ individuals.
Youth Empowerment and Protection
Children and youth deserve safe, nurturing, and empowering growing environments, with access to inclusive, non-coercive, and culturally diverse education.

Commissions and Specialty Groups

In addition to SGs and their Councils, SAC encourages the formation of Commissions and Specialty Groups focused on vital aspects of community life. These may include (but are not limited to):

Environmental Stewardship
Health and Healing
Education
Work and Employment
Economic Justice
Conflict Resolution
Immigration and Refugees
Arts and Culture
Gender and Sexuality Equity

These groups may be created by SAC members or may emerge from partnerships with existing organizations.

How to Join and Participate

Form a Small Group with neighbors, friends, or interest-based peers.
Review and adapt this Social Contract as an operational template for the group's shared activities.
Elect at least two (mixed-gender) representatives by consensus.
Begin connecting and collaborating with other SGs to form Community Councils.
Engage in relationship-building, collaborative action, and community-based activism to ground and grow the Semi-Autonomous Community project.

Together, we can co-create a

decentralized, resilient and life-affirming culture

that thrives on empathic relations, justice, and ecological balance.

This SAC draft was developed by Dan Morse and remains a living document—intended to grow and evolve through active engagement and feedback from newly formed Small Groups. Please join us!

To inquire, participate, or form your own group

To inquire, participate, or start a group in your area, please contact us. As the network expands, scaling support, group formation tools, and resource-sharing processes will be developed.