Personal intro

[Joel Pomerantz]

A brief introduction to

Musick Creek Confluence, the org and the people

Tone and structure

We use a form of egalitarian group decision-making that really has no name or rigid rules. We’re a very informal group, except as needed based on legal requirements and a minimal framework to keep our communication strong and sweet.

We have, in addition to this email list, a discussion list where plans and decisions are made. You may join in if you wish.

Thanks to many successful years, we trust one another, are gentle with one another and allow day-to-day decisions to be made more flexibly than would be typical in a total consensus group.

Board members, legally required, have been chosen based on their lack of interest in having any more power than anyone else. Affirming that, we have four, an even number, which reminds us that majorities and factions are evidence of group illness.

Decisions are made by any participant or group of participants showing the love, energy and willingness to experiment and communicate.

Legally, the power lies with our official Membership. Members have been chosen based on their commitment to keep the organization on track, both in its work and adhering to our founding values. There are 21 founding Members. The mechanism for becoming a Member requires being sponsored, participating through a one year waiting period and then requesting Membership.

At present, the community meets in person once a year, Father’s Day weekend in mid June when Musick is bursting with blossoms and gushing pleasantly. There is music at Musick.

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Cast of characters

Jemmy Bluestein – When he was president of the board of the Sierra Music and Arts Institute (SMAI), that org purchased of this property in 2001 as a backup location for their annual Sweet’s Mill music campout. Since then, Jem arranged various grants and stewardship work. SMAI then purchased another property and decided they didn’t need Musick Creek. They sold it to us. Jemmy is serving on the board of Musick Creek Confluence.

Cordia Davis, Masha & Isaiah Bluestein – Jemmy and his family have spent the most time working, exploring and loving Musick Creek. They are a vital resource within our community and live not far away. 

John Emerson (Johnny), neighbor Max Yancey and the Hill family (Kevin, Alana, Shabaz & Oslo) also know Musick Creek particularly well and live close. lots of forestry

Ardynne Shelton (a neighbor, a.k.a. Brandy) protected Musick from development for many years before we built our group stewardship. She died a year ago and we celebrated her life at our June 2019 gathering. She owned 40 acres along our entry route. Rayanna Ferguson, Ardynne’s closest family, is administering the estate and trying to protect it. Stay tuned.

Joel Pomerantz created our nonprofit and coordinated fundraising to find a path toward our group dream. He's a nature educator in San Francisco. Until we have a better address, Joel’s PO Box in SF is the organizational address.

Many others have helped to create the community and have come to know the place despite living at some distance. 

Joanna McClure (VP), David Tepperman (Sec’y.) and Randall Ediger (Treas.) have joined Jem (President) as our board.

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Who are you? There are about 100 people on this Musick Notes email list now. One third of you are on the discussion list.

If you want to apply for grants for our work, organize a fundraiser or celebration, help mark out a trail, burn slash piles during wet winter or any other Musickal activity, let us know and we’ll get you help via this list. Reply to this or email mus...@randomspin.net.