About the Organization
On the Commons (formerly Tomales Bay Institute) is a network of citizens and organizations that champions the cause of the commons on many fronts. Our mission is to advance a new worldview by naming, claiming, protecting and expanding the commons for the good of all.
The time is ripe—as we face continuing environmental disruption, economic disparity, political turmoil and social alienation—for a necessary shift in worldview. People everywhere yearn to draw upon our shared human spirit to create a better world. Although the problems looming ahead are huge, so are the resources that we have on hand. If the commons is managed for the benefit of everyone, we can draw upon it to solve problems of economic inequity and ecological degradation. On the Commons aims to promote a new understanding about our common wealth and to forge a new political and social movement to claim the richness of the commons for the common good.
CC Licensed by Martin Heigan from Flickr
Our work takes many forms ranging from introducing practical political and economic policies to advancing popular education campaigns, community arts projects and grassroots local action. We focus on a breadth of issues, which reach deep into the realms of culture, ecology, technology, economics, politics, human relationships and social systems.
This multi-dimensional approach demands a fresh, new way of operating. Indeed, we look to the commons itself as inspiration for how we structure our organization, set our goals and chart our progress. We are committed to seeing the whole in all we do, even as we direct our energies toward various initiatives and projects.
In addition to this website, which serves as a portal to the wide range of work being carried out under the commons banner today, On the Commons is involved with organizing, public education, media, public policy and on-the-ground projects. We have undertaken initiatives addressing climate change, water privatization, income inequality, digital democracy and access, renewable energy, public space, sprawl and community self-reliance.
On the Commons is a growing network of fellows, associates and partner organizations that find the commons framework valuable in their own work and lives. Our ever evolving roster is listed below.
On the Commons core team:
- Harriet Barlow
- Peter Barnes
- David Bollier
- Chuck Collins
- Kathleen Maloney
- Ana Micka
- Julie Ristau
- Jay Walljasper
On The Commons fellows & associates:
- Marcellus Andrews
- Alexa Bradley
- Rachel Breen
- Jim Boyce
- Alan Charney
- Chuck Collins
- Brenda Cotto-Escalera
- Chris Desser
- Mark Dowie
- Cynthia Guyer
- Kim Klein
- Matthew Lappe
- Brad Lichtenstein
- Barry Maloney
- Dave Mann
- Kathryn Milun
- Anil Naidoo
- Daniel Moss
- Vernon Reid
- Jonathan Rowe
- Marcus Young
On The Commons partners
- Blue Mountain Center
- Council of Canadians
- Grassroots International
- Grassroots Policy Project
- Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater
- Institute for Policy Studies
- West Marin Commons
- Saving Clover Valley
- La Veta Commons
- Provisions Library
- Political Economy Research Institute /University of Massachusetts/Amherst
- 371 Productions
- Smartmeme
- Studio for Social Innovation
- US Action
- Vermont Law School
- Wishes for the Sky
Contact: office@onthecommons.org
