About the Vale

One important type of small community is the “Intentional” Community, loosely defined as people living in small groups, often working together in businesses and frequently sharing land. Part of the original charter of Community Service was not only to support and work for the more typical small local community but also to support alternative ways of living as exemplified in the Intentional Community. Community Service originally founded the Fellowship of Intentional Communities, which later became a separate organization. This organization currently publishes a quarterly magazine with a subscription of 4000 readers and a membership of a few hundred communities.

In 1970, when Arthur Morgan retired from Community Service, his son Griscom replaced him as the director of  the organization. His wife, Jane, later replaced Griscom as director. Griscom and Jane acquired 20 acres of property on the South edge of Yellow Springs. A community land trust was formed and a group of four families became the first members of the Vale. The organization was as a community land trust and land was held in common. A vale school was formed. The setting remains rural with 10 homes on the parcel. In the early days of the Vale, a school was formed with Jane Morgan as the teacher.

All decisions are made by consensus in the meetings, typically held quarterly or as the need arises for special circumstances. Road development and maintenance is done by the members. Water and electricity have been provided by the village of Yellow Springs.

The Vale represents one of the longest existing small communities in the country.

More about Intentional Communities can be obtained at Intentional Communities Web Site: Home Page