Toward those ends we have created investment strategies that are environmentally sound yet growth-oriented. Our investment clubs study opportunities in a manner that is consistent with the strategies of the National Association of Investment Clubs (NAIC). We differ, however, in that we pick stocks/mutual funds/tracking funds/real estate/enterprises that meet our criteria for long-term growth, ecological friendliness, and social value. We add to our investments monthly, re-invest all dividends, and do our homework.
Unlike the NAIC, we do not limit ourselves to unrelated common stocks. We strive to make a variety of sound investments that show not only a good growth potential but also promise to improve social and environmental conditions in an integrative, purposeful, i.e., syntropic, way. Thus we may invest in, or create, small businesses that are mutually supportive while benefiting people and adding value to our communities
SV Investment Clubs
Each syntropic village or community starts with an investment club. Each club keeps its accounting separately, and records are kept of each individual member’s account. The clubs meet separately, though sometimes they may hold joint meetings in order to share investment tips and organizational knowledgeÑor simply to socialize or help each other with problems that have arisen.
Each partner invests an individually selected amount every month. Investments, including dividends and interest or capital gains can be withdrawn at any time. Naturally, many partners have their own private portfolios outside the community.
In addition to a monthly installment paid into one’s individual club account, each partner also invests a small amount monthly in the whole community’s investment fund, i.e., The Community’s Fund. The Community Fund is used to pay for the community's expenses, to buy community property, or to fund political action by the community
As a partner of a SV Investment Club, you are also a member of a syntropic community. The community-wide investment fund exists primarily for the purpose of investing in real property and/or businesses that can be both profitable and beneficial to the community.
All funds and accumulated partnership deposits are initially invested in a tax free money market account with check writing privileges to insure liquidity and low transition costs.
Decision-Making
The decision-making structure of the whole village-community is based on The Universal Model, a democratic constitution designed so that it can be easily adapted to the needs of different sizes and types of organizations. Online versions of this constitution can be read or copied by downloading from
The Center for the Evolution of Democracy.
If you like to lead, you can initiate the formation of a Syntropic Investment Club and/or a new Syntropic Village, and Syntropic Village staff will assist. After startup, clubs and communities rotate offices in accordance with their charters so as to guarantee democratic power sharing and to provide experience for all interested members.
In the investment club and in the village community as a whole, the principle of one person, one vote exists. Each investment club, of course, controls its own investment funds.
In the case of real property, or of a business that a club or community may own and operate, expert management may be hired. This management has authority delegated by the club or the community owners and, naturally, would report to the owners or to a board of directors whose majority is democratically selected by the owners. Because we believe that the economy and its enterprise units profit more when there is broad participation in decision-making, we include representation for both workers and customers on the boards of directors of every business in which we have majority ownership.
