Role 22Cross-Cluster Connectors

Communications & IT

Recommended holders

1–2

Load rating

Season

Year-round

About this role

Communications infrastructure is as foundational as water infrastructure — equally invisible when working, equally crisis-generating when it fails. In a remote northern location where cell service may be absent or unreliable, the collective's communication systems are a survival asset.

This role pairs naturally with Earning & Cash Flow (Role 18) — remote earners are often the most technically capable members, and their work depends directly on the communications infrastructure they also maintain.

Key processes

Satellite internet (Starlink)

A single dish provides 50–200 Mbps, sufficient for multiple simultaneous remote work users. For a collective with 4–6 remote earners, consider 2 dishes for redundancy. Power from the solar system with a dedicated circuit.

Community intranet

A simple local server (Raspberry Pi) hosts: shared documents, decision archive, role assignment map, procurement lists, pantry inventory, meeting notes. Works without internet — it is local.

Radio communications

GMRS radios for field-to-homestead communication. A Garmin inReach satellite communicator ($30/month) allows two-way text messaging from anywhere on earth — essential when roads are impassable.

External interfaces

Manages: collective email accounts, online banking, government filing portals, supplier accounts. Maintain a secure documented record of all account credentials accessible to at least two people.

Device maintenance

2–3 shared laptops, shared tablets, a printer/scanner. Keep devices updated and backed up.

Critical warnings

Single-point-of-failure in communications credentials is a serious risk. Use a shared password manager with at least two administrators.

Emergency radio capability must be tested regularly. Equipment that sits untested for 6 months may not work when needed.

Connects directly to

Governance & Planning Security & Protection Earning & Cash Flow Needs Assessment & Procurement

Good supplement pairings

Governance & Planning; Finance & Accounting; Earning & Cash Flow (remote workers naturally hold this)

Key insight

Emergency radio when roads are impassable in winter is not optional. This is infrastructure, not a nice-to-have.