information handbook & visitors guide - our...
TRANSCRIPT
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Information Handbook
& Visitors Guide
PO Box 530 Shawnigan Lake, BC, V0R 2W0
Phone: 250-743-3067 Fax: 250-743-3019
www.ourecovillage.org Email: [email protected]
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CONTENTS O.U.RVision 2O.U.RGuidingPrinciples 4O.U.RCovenantfortheEarth 5WhatisanEcovillage? 6O.U.RHistoryandDevelopment 6 O.U.R.OrganizationandGovernance 8O.U.RCommunityAssociation:aNon‐ProfitSociety 10 O.U.R.EcovillageCo‐operative 11Hearthkeepers 11SustainableCommunityDevelopmentCo‐operative 11O.U.RRezoningOverview:‘Un‐paving’theWay 11Programs,Projects,Activities 12VisitingO.U.R.Ecovillage 13 LivingatO.U.R.Ecovillage 13FacilityRental 14HowYouCanContribute 14OtherSourcesofInformation 16O.U.R.SupportersandAffiliations 16PoliciesandContext 18SafetyandEmergencyProcedures 23
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VISION: Sustainable well-being for the land, ourselves, and our worldwide village.
MISSION: To educate, inspire and transform by co-creating a thriving learning community and permaculture demonstration site.
O.U.R Vision and Mission
Intercultural,Intergenerational,InterfaithandInterdependentO.U.R.ECOVILLAGEisasustainablelearningcentreanddemonstrationsitewhichfocusesonecologicalwaysoflivinginvolvingpermaculture*design.Wearededicatedtoresearchingandmodelingwaysthatarerootedinsocial,cultural,spiritual,economicandecologicalwell‐being.Aswell,weactivelycreatepartnershipswithgroupsandorganizationsthatareinterestedinlivingincommunityandlivinglightlyontheearth.O.U.R.ECOVILLAGEisasacredspacewherepermanentresidentsandshort‐termvisitorsco‐createsustainablecommunity.Weofferaprotectedgreenspaceinahealthy,supportiveenvironmentandcontributelocallyandglobally‐‐‐inreturnwelive,lovelaughandlearntogetherasanintentionallearningcommunity,weareinterdependent,viableandprosperousthroughourdeepconnectiontoourselves,eachotherandtheearth.*“Permacultureistheconsciousdesignandmaintenanceofagriculturallyproductivesystemswhichhavethediversity,stability,andresilienceofnaturalecosystems.Itistheharmoniousintegrationofthelandscapewithpeopleprovidingtheirfood,energy,shelterandothermaterialandnonmaterialneedsinasustainableway.”GrahamBell,ThePermacultureWay.
Working Together
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O.U.R Guiding Principles Oneofourresidentswrites:“Trulyitisauspicioustofindthisplaceandtimetogethertocreatewhatweneedmostinourlives.Togothefullmiletogetherinthisspace(andbeyond)requiresapersonalcommitmenttoawareness.”Tosupportthiscommitmentandtohelpustorealizeourneedsoverthelongtermwehaveidentifiedanumberofguidelinesthatserveaspointsofreflectionandreferencefromwhichtomodelourcommunicationandactions.
• Responsibility–Inallsituationsweintendtotakeresponsibilityforourownfeelings.Ultimately,noonecanmakeusfeel.Ifwefeelbadlywetakecreditforthat.Ifwefeelgood,wetakecreditforthattoo.Ourwordsandactionsmaytriggerandimpactothers,however,wetakeresponsibilityforusingtheminawaythatdoesn’tmanipulateorhurtothers.
• Openness–Besidesdeathandtaxes,therearefewabsolutesinthisworld.Variousways
existtointerpretandworkwithasituation.Whenweactivelyletgoofourfixedbeliefsaboutourselves,othersortheworld,wearemoreopentothe“truth”ascommunicatedthroughourexperienceandtheexperienceofothersinthegroup.Fromthisplaceanythingispossible.Westrivetoremainopentonegotiate,communicateanddanceinallsituations.
• Respect–Respectisatwo‐waystreet.Whenweactwithrespect,westrengtheneach
other.Thismeansweareconsciousaboutnotchargingintopeople’smentalorphysicalspacewithoutpermission.Respectalsomeansleavingthephysicalenvironment(landanddwellings)inthesameorbetterconditionthanyoufoundit,soallmayenjoy.
• Mutuality–It’sgiveandtake,baby!Themorewegive,themoreweareopentoreceiving.
It’sassimpleasthat.
• Honesty–Justbereal.Ifyouarehappy,behappy,ifyouaresad,besad.Throughhonestywedevelopadeeptrustinourselves,whichwecanusetohelpothersbehonest.
• Fun–Funandhumourkeepthingslightandflexiblesowecangobeyondnegativity.In
funenvironmentswecanrelax,appreciateourlivestogetherandlearnfromourexperience.Nomatterwhat,wemaketimeforfuninourlives.
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O.U.R Covenant for the Earth O.U.RStatementofSustainability1. EcologyofLiving Integratelabour,communitycontribution, personalmaintenanceandcreativeendeavours.2. CommunityLiving Liveinasupportive,cooperativesettingwithpeopleoflikeintent. Worktowardacommonpathandliveadeepcommitmenttoself,othersandtheearth.3. VoluntarySimplicity Enhancequalityoflifebyconsuminglessandlivingsimply.Encourageourselvestoreceivedailynourishmentfromrenewable,preferablyorganic,greenplants.4. RightLivelihood Knowthesocialandenvironmentalimpactofourwork.Workorvolunteerinonlythoseeffortsthatenhancethequalityofalllife.5. EnvironmentalAction PractisenonviolentactionindefenceoftheEarth.Knowthefactsandimplicationsofanactionand‘staythepath’.6. SpiritualPractices PerformadailypracticethatencouragesattunementwiththoseencompassingpowersthatnourishtheEarthandintuitivelyguideallhumanendeavours.7. ScientificUnderstanding Knowthebasicuniversallawsofecologyandapplythemtoaspecificbioregionandbeabletoextendsuchunderstandingtoothers.8. CulturalDiversity StudypastandpresentcultureswholiveinharmonywiththeEarth.Knowthepsychological,sociologicalandculturalrootsofone’sowntradition.9. EducationoftheCitizenry Useeveryaction,insightandinteractiontoshareenvironmentalunderstandings.Beamodelworldcitizen.Spendtimewithchildren,eldersandpeopleofallages.10. PersonalGrowth“Knowthyself”withandthroughtheuniverse.Search,findandacceptapathofinsightandactionthatwillassurepeace,loveandtruthforalllife.
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What is an Ecovillage? "Ecovillagesarefullfeaturedsettlementsinwhichhumanactivitiesareharmlesslyintegratedintothenaturalworldinawaythatissupportiveofhealthyhumandevelopmentandcanbesuccessfullycontinuedintotheindefinitefuture.”(Gilman,1991,p.37).Themotivationforecovillagesisthechoiceandcommitmenttoreversethedisintegrationofsupportivesocial/culturalstructuresandtheupsurgeofdestructiveenvironmentalpracticesonourplanet.Formillennia,peoplehavelivedincommunitiesclosetonature,withsupportivesocialstructures.Manyoftheseancientcommunitiesexisttothisday,butarestrugglingforsurvival.However,beginninginthe1960s,variousintentionalcommunitieswithspiritual,ecological,andsocialorientationswereformed,allowingpeopletooncemoreliveincommunitiesthatareconnectedtotheEarthinawaythathelpsenablethewell‐beingofalllife‐formsintotheindefinitefuture.Dependingonwho’scounting,therearebetween500and15,000Ecovillagesandintentionalcommunitieswithinalooselyknitandgloballyaffiliatednetworkaroundtheworld.AnumberofthesevillagesareinCanada,includingO.U.R.(OneUnitedResource)Ecovillage.
ClimateChangeDemonstrationBuilding(HealingSanctuary)
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O.U.R History and Development Locatedonanextraordinary25acresnearShawniganLake,BritishColumbia,O.U.RECOVILLAGEbeganoperationsin1999withavisiontocreateamodeldemonstrationsustainablevillagecommunityrootedinsocial,ecological,andeconomicwellbeing.O.U.REcovillageisthehostsiteforO.U.RCommunityAssociation,aregisterednon‐profitsocietydedicatedtothepromotionofsustainablecommunityliving.PeoplefromallwalksoflifeandallagesareabletobenefitfromeducationalprogramsfacilitatedwithinO.U.Rdevelopingsite.TheideaofO.U.R.Ecovillagehaditsgenesisinthelate1990swhenanumberofpeoplelivedinacooperativehouseholdinVictoria.DuringthistimetheO.U.Racronym(OneUnitedResource)wascreated.Subsequenteventscanbedescribedinsevendifferentphases.PhaseI(March1999)involvedtheprivatepurchaseof25acresoflandnearShawniganLakeinordertosecureitfromfuturedevelopment.Theformerownerwaseventuallyconvincedthattheproposeddevelopmentofavibrant,environmentallyfriendlycommunitywouldbeaverypositiveuseoftheland,andendedupdonatingathirdoftheoriginalaskingprice.Agroupofapproximately14peoplecametogetherastheCreationTeam,takingresponsibilityfortheongoingdesignanddevelopmentprocessofthecommunityproject.PhaseII(2000‐2002)sawtheestablishmentofO.U.R.CommunityAssociation,aregisterednot‐for‐profit(541542).Anoverridingprinciplewasestablished:thattheprojectwouldbecreated“bythecommunity,forthecommunityandthroughthecommunity”sothatnoneoftheoverallprojectwouldbeestablishedforanyone’sprimarypersonalgain‐‐‐allpeoplewouldbehereasstewards.DuringthistimetheCowichanCommunityLandTrustandtheLandConservancyofBritishColumbiaworkedtocreateafloraandfaunaspeciesmappingoftheoverallsiteinordertodeterminethemostvulnerableecologicalareas.Next,O.U.R.CommunityAssociationembarkedonafar‐reachingvisioningprocessinvolvinghundredsofcommunitariansfromnearbyneighborhoods,variouslevelsofgovernment,peoplefromcorporateandeducationalbackgrounds,andinternationalvisitors.ThisenabledO.U.R.CommunityVisiontobeabroadrepresentationofwhatfolkswantedtoseehappenatO.U.R.Ecovillage.PhaseIII(2002‐2004)focusedoncreatingaprecedent‐settingrezoningforO.U.R.Ecovillage.The“SustainableLandManagementDesign”evolvedconcurrentwithseveralyearsofpermaculturedesign.The25acresweretostayintactandbecomeamulti‐activityintegratedlandusezonewith:
a) Aconservationareaconsistingofonethirdofthepropertyunderaprotectivecovenantb) Allowanceforeducationalactivitiesc) Anorganicproductionfarm,andd) Anoff‐grideco‐homeclusterof9homes(inadditiontotheexistinghomecurrently
usedasaresidenceandBedandBreakfast)Thisworkwithregulatoryauthoritiesbroughtinmajorsupportandfundingfromgovernment.EventuallyO.U.RTeambeganworkingwithengineeringandregulatoryteamsinearthenconstruction(naturalbuilding)usingalternativewastewatertreatmentandotherinnovativetechnologiesanddoingsowithinapprovedbuildingcodes.
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PhaseIV(2002‐present)‐O.U.R.CommunityAssociationdevelops“TOPIA:TheSustainableLearningCommunityInstitute.”TOPIAoffersawidearrayofon‐sitesustainablelivingprograms(e.g.naturalbuilding,organicfoodproduction,bio‐fuels,communitybuilding,etc.).PhaseV(2003‐present)involvedthecreationanddevelopmentoftheFOG(Finance,OwnershipandGovernance)researchprojectasanattempttopulltogetheranewhybridownershipmodelforlandprojectswhichwouldaccommodatethesharingofcommonfinancing,ownershipandgovernancebetweenmultiplestakeholders.PhaseVI(2006‐present)sawtheincorporationof“TheSustainableCommunityDevelopmentCooperative.”TheSCDCbringstogetherateamofconsultantswhospecializeinecovillagedesignatO.U.R.Ecovillageandsimilarprojects.PhaseVII(July2007‐present)beginswiththecreationofanewownershipentity(developedwiththeassistanceoftheFOGproject).InJuly2007,weestablishedO.U.R.EcovillageCooperative.Theco‐operativewascreatedforthepurposeofprovidingalegalmodelforthecollectiveownershipofthelandandtoprovideagovernancestructurethatwillbringtogetheralltheearlierestablishedorganizationsatO.U.R.andallinterestedparties.Thecooperativehasbeguntoimplementthisplanthroughthecreationofabusinessplaninordertosecurefinancingforthepurchaseandfurtherdevelopmentoftheproperty.PhaseVIII(fall2008topresent)hasseenO.U.R.Communityfacinganannualchallengeasweseektocreateatrulyviablecommunityownershipandfinancingmodel.The“ProtectO.U.R.Ecovillage”CampaignhasbecometherallyingcryforabroadgroupofpeopleandorganizationswhohavesteppeduptosupportO.U.R.intothisnextphaseofitsdevelopment.ThecampaignincludestheEthicalinvestmentMortgageandtheO.U.R.Sustainers.ItalsosawthecreationofCanada’sfirstConservationScatteringGroundsinpartnershipwithTheLandConservancyofBC.
O.U.R. Organization and GovernanceO.U.R.EcovillagehasbeenworkingwithinaDynamicGovernancemodeltocreateafluidandefficientintegrationofthemanyrolesandcontributionsthatcreateO.U.R.thatisalsoinlinewiththecorethevaluesofequalityandrespectfordiversity.(formoreaboutDynamicGovernance,see“WethePeople”byJohnBuckandSharonVillines)PeopleparticipateinO.U.RECOVILLAGEinanumberofwaysandeveryoneispartofateamthatisconnectedtothecentraldecisionmakinghub,theGeneralCircle.Rolesareassignedandchosenwithrespectforeachperson’svisionandtalentwhileseekingtobalanceresponsibilityandaccountabilityforthelong‐termoutcomesofthedecisionsmade.Thefollowingchartrepresentsanexampleoftheteamsandhowtheyrelate‐keepinmindthatthisisasnapshotofanevolvingstructure.
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SomeofO.U.R.staffduringthe2012StaffTraining
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OUR Community Association (Non-Profit Society) - isaBCregisterednon‐profitsocietythatleasespartofOURECOVILLAGE.ItconsistsofaBoardofDirectorswhosemembersareresponsibleforallnon‐profitprogramminginthecommunity,includingfundraisingandstrategicplanning.BothresidentsandsupportersarerepresentedontheBoard. MissionStatement:“Toassistintheresearchandimplementationofvolunteerandcommunitydevelopmentthatpromotes‘GreenMicro‐Enterprise’,ethicallybased/sustainablepracticesandyouthentrepreneurship.”Itspurposesare:
1. Toresearchandstudymodelsofalternative,sustainablepatternsoflivingtogetherincommunitythatare:
• ecologicallysound• economicallyself‐supporting• respectfulofothercultures• basedonuniversalspiritualandmoralprinciples• intergenerational• focusedonprovidingopportunitiesforyouthtoactivelyparticipatein
variousleadershipandserviceorientedexperiences.
2. Toprovidetraininganddisseminateinformationonsustainablepatternsofcommunityliving.Educationalprogramswillemphasizedevelopingyouth’scapacitytoleadprojectsandtrainothersinsuchareasasthefollowing:
• generalenvironmentalpractices• sustainablelanduse• organicagriculture• permacultureplanning,and• cooperativeco‐existence.
3. Todevelopademonstrationsitethatisalivinglaboratoryofcooperativeco‐existence
implementingbestpracticesinpermaculturemanagement,ecologicallyrespectfuleconomyandsustainablelanduse.
4. Toserveandinteractwithlocalcommunitiesandthegreaterpublicatlargebyorganizing
activitiesandprojectsthatprovideaforumforthemutualsharingofskillsandknowledgerelatedtotheareaslistedaboveandaimedatenhancingthewell‐beingofallconcerned.
O.U.R Ecovillage Co-operative - wasincorporatedinJune2007.ThedesignprinciplesofO.U.RCo‐operativefollowtheCanadianCo‐operativesAssociation'sguidelinesandinclude:
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• open,voluntarymembership• transparentadministration• democraticparticipation–onemember,onevote• ethicallybasedpractices(inlivelihoodandlifestyle)Itspurposeistoacquireandmanagelandsandpropertiesinacreativeandsustainablemanner.Weaspiretocreateproductsandservicesthatwillbeapositivecontributionto,andwillbuilduponourgoalofcreating,promotinganddemonstratingsustainablecommunity.Asthisco‐operativeassumestitleofthepropertyitwillbecometheprimarydecision‐makingbodyforO.U.REcovillageandbothindividualmembersandmemberorganizationswillparticipateinthegovernanceofthecooperative.Hearthkeepers - arepermanent,long‐termresidentsofO.U.RECOVILLAGE.TheyarepeoplewhofeelcalledtolivebytheHearthkeeperVisionandstewardthelandandactivitiesofO.U.R.Ecovillage.“Hearthkeeper”isthenameoftheresidentmembershipclassofO.U.R.EcovillageCooperative.Hearthkeepervision:TheHearthkeepersofO.U.R.Ecovillagearedream‐keepersandfire‐keepers.Weconsciouslyholdtheheart‐spaceatthecoreofourselves,ourCommunityandsacredsenseofplace.Weshowupopenheartedandpresent,offeringourongoinglearningintheserviceofdeeprelationship.Wecommittosteppingthroughtheflamesoffearintothefireoflove.
Sustainable Community Development Cooperative - bringstogetherateamofconsultantsfocusingonecovillagedesignatO.U.R.Ecovillageandotherprojects.Amajorfunctionofthisgroupisorganizingandsupportingtheresidentialsector(village)asitisdeveloped,andtakingpartinotherendeavorstoenhancesustainablecommunity,includingsustainabilityconsultation.O.U.R. Rezoning Overview - ‘Un-paving’ the Way In2004,OUREcovillagecompletedtherezoningprocessthatcreateda“RuralResidentialComprehensiveDevelopmentZone”.Usingpermaculturedesignprinciples,wesurveyedandmappedthepropertyfortopography,ecologicalaspectsandbiologicalaspects.Weheldanumberofvisioningworkshopsinvolvingplanners,agrologists,permaculturedesigners,educators,alawyer,andhealthprofessionalsfromboththepublicandprivatesectors.Withtheseadvisors,alongwithlocalandprovincialrepresentativesfromtheCowichanValleyRegionalDistrict,andtheB.C.MinistriesofHealth,Agriculture,andHighways,wedevelopedare‐zoningapplicationforanentirelynewkindofzoningdesignation.Theentirepropertyisbeingdevelopedasanenvironmental"classroom,"withfoursectors.TheWoodlands/WetlandsConservationsectorincludessensitiveecosystems,woodlotmanagementareas,andnaturetrails.TheAgriculturalsectorcombinesorganicagricultureandanimalhusbandry.TheEcologicalEducationandInfrastructuresectorprovidesacentralgatheringareaforcommunityeducationalactivities.TheResidentialsectorwillhaveclusteredhousing.
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Programs, Projects and Activities Dailylifeinthevillageencompassessuchcommunity‐buildingactivitiesasbuildinggroupprocessandcommunicationskills,workingwithinaDynamicGovernancedecision‐makingmodel,practicingconflictresolution,developingunderstandingaroundwell‐beingandself‐care,enactingapermaculturedevelopmentparadigmandestablishingoutreach/educationalprograms.BelowisasampleofhappeningsatO.U.REcovillage:
• NaturalBuildingModelingalternative“green”homeconstruction,throughhostingeducatorsorbuildersworkingwith“green”and“renewableenergy”andteachingnaturalbuildingpractices.Thesummerschool“TOPIA”providesaneducationalforumfornaturalbuilding,andhasresultedintheconstructionofvariousbuildingsincorporatingbuildingtechniquesfromcob,strawbaleandclay‐sliptotimberframeandearthbag:the“HealingSanctuary”(ClimateChangeDemonstrationBuilding),the“ArtStudio”and“Freya’sHouse”.Othercompletedprojectsincludeacoboven&bench,achildren’sgarden/playhouse,andpartiallyenclosedstudy/relaxationspace(the“Chillage”).
• EducationalWorkshops&SummerProgramsFullsummerinternshipprogramsareofferedannually,includingSustainableFoodProductionSkillbuilder,andNaturalBuildingSkillbuilder,aswellaspermaculturedesigncertificatecoursesandadvancedteachertraining.
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O.U.R.alsohostsawiderangeofongoingworkshopstoprovideeducationoneverythingfromlivingin“intentionalcommunity”,youthempowerment,consensusdecisionmaking,conflictresolution,non‐violentcommunication,alternativeresourceusage,organichorticulture,permaculture,sacredecology,forestgardening,andcob/strawbalebuilding,todivinesonganddancesforuniversalpeaceandhealth.
• Research–Finance,OwnershipandGovernance(FOG)WearecurrentlyleadingamajorresearchprojectregardingtheFinance,OwnershipandGovernanceofecovillages.
• O.U.R.GardenWehavedevelopedalandplanthatencompassesourvisionofapproximatelysevenacresoffoodcropsfromfruit/nut/berryorchards,greenhousesandraised‐bedvegetablegardens.Thesecropswillsupportthefoodsecurity/foodsustainabilityofO.U.REcovillagemembersandwillalsocontributetothewidercommunitythrough“community‐supportedagriculture”.
• O.U.R.GuesthouseProvidinga‘homeawayfromhome’forEco‐mindedguests.
• AnimalHusbandryRaisingheritagebreeds,organicmeatandpoultryproduction,useofanimalsaspartofpermaculturedesignaswellastherapeuticprograms.
Visiting O.U.R Ecovillage O.U.REcovillageissituated45minutesnorthofVictoria,nearShawniganLakeonVancouverIslandat1565BaldyMountainRd.Wewelcomevisitorsandaskthatyoupleasecallaheadtoarrangeatime,orregisteronourwebsitetojoinoneofourregularlyscheduledtours.
MealandAccommodationfacilities:WeofferCamping,anEco‐guesthousewithself‐facilitatedbreakfast,andallmeals–familyratesmayapply.ThecurrentpricesanddetailsareavailableonOURwebsite(ourecovillage.org)orbycallingouroffice2507433067.Pleaseensureyouareexpectedandreserveyourplaceformealsandaccommodation.Workpartiesoccurfromtimetotime(weappreciateyourvolunteerhelponprojects).PleasecalloremailaheadtoconfirmO.U.Rschedule.ChildrenareawelcomepartofO.U.RECOVILLAGEbutweaskthatparents/guardianstakefullresponsibilityandsupervisionfortheirkidswhileonsite.Thebuildingsites,woodworkingshop,andgardensarepotentiallydangerousareasandchildrenmusthaveadultsupervisionatalltimesintheseareas.Pleasedonotbringanypetsonsite.
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Living at O.U.R. Ecovillage
• Visitingfamilyandfriendsofprogramparticipantsarealwayswelcomeaslongasitdoesnotimpactonmaximumnumbersalreadyonsite,thecooks,ortheworkprojects.Participantsareresponsibletoputinformationonthevisitorboard,introduceyourguestatthecommunitycircle,provideguestswithatouroftheECOVILLAGEandshowthemO.U.RECOVILLAGEproceduresforchores,dishwashing,thecommunityprocess,etc.(Seemoreonhowratesmaybeaffected,etcunderourVisitorPolicy)
• VisitorparticipationincoursesandbuildingworkneedstobeclearedwiththerelevantTeamleadfirst.
• ResidentsattendcommunitymeetingsandweeklyCouncilcircles.• CommunityMeetingsareawayforvisitorstointroducethemselves,becomepartofthe
overallgroupprocessandgainunderstandingofO.U.RCommunity.Weaskthatrecognitionisgiventotheworkandchallengeswhichhavealreadybeenexperiencedoverthesummerandthatyourparticipationinthecommunitymeetingissupportiveofthefolkswholive/workonsiteonanongoingbasis.
• Interns,residents,volunteersandallpeoplelivingonsiteagreetoabidebythesitepolicies
whicharealllistedonO.U.R.websiteunderunderhttp://ourecovillage.org/about/organization/our‐policies.arecomingtoliveonsiteforanylengthoftime,makesureyouhavereadthepolicies.
• Seethesmallprintattheendofthisdocumentformoredetail..!
Facility Rental FacilitiesavailableforeventsincludetheCommunityClassroom(approx2,000sqft),O.U.R.CommunityCommonsdormandZeroMileEatery,useofabright,25‐foot‐diameter,heatedYurt(aMongoliancanvasdomestructure),HealingSanctuary(idealforhealthpractitionersorsmall‐mediumgroups),openfield,parking,campingspace,firepit,outdoorkitchenandprivy.ThecurrentratesanddetailsareavailableonOURwebsite(ourecovillage.org)bycallingouroffice2507433067.
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How you can Contribute TherearemanywaystocontributetothevisionofO.U.R.Ecovillage,fromafewhoursofvolunteeringtoanethicalinvestmentofhundredsofthousandsofdollarsandeverythingin‐between.Hereisabriefintroductiontosomeofthewaysyoucanbecomeinvolved.EthicalInvestmentMortgageTheEthicalInvestmentMortgageconsolidatespreviousfinancingthathasfinancedtheinfrastructuredevelopmentintoajointly‐heldmortgage.ItsimplifiesOURfinances,reducinginterestpayments,andconstitutesasignificantsteptowardthelongstandingdreamoffulllegalandfinancialcommunityownershipofO.U.R.Ecovillage.Itwillallowsthelandandinfrastructuretonolongerbedependentonbanks/creditunions(whichhavesomanybarrierstobeingabletofinancemulti‐stakeholder/multi‐activityprojects)‐andtomovetheopportunityto‘communityinvestingincommunity’.Contactprotect@ourecovillage.orgtofindoutmore.O.U.R.SustainersThe Sustainers are a growing group of individuals who have signed up to contribute small,monthly donations towards the operating budget of O.U.R. non‐profit. O.U.R. Sustainers haveaccesstosignificantreductionsoncoursesandanannualharvestdinner.Thegoalistocreateagroup of 600 people each donating $10 month. Contact [email protected] to find outmore,orlookonourwebsite.VolunteeringThousandsofpeoplehaveputtheirhandstoeveryaspectofO.U.R.Ecovillage.Ifyoufeeldrawntoservingintheco‐creationofthiscommunityproject,contactvolunteer@ourecovillage.org.Allvolunteersareresponsiblefortheirfoodandsitecostsandwewillworkwithyoutofindthebestbalanceofwhatisneededandwhatyouruniquecontributionmightbe.DonationsWeappreciatedonationsofallkinds,includingmaterials/supplies,yourvolunteertime,and/orfinancialsupport.Youcanfindouthowtomakeyourtax‐deductibledonationonourwebsiteorcontactO.U.R.office2507433067.WishlistIfyouarethinkingabout‘simplifying’orjustgettingridofstuff,pleaseconsidermakingamaterialdonationtoO.U.RECOVILLAGE.Wewouldverymuchappreciatedonationsofitemsforourorganicfarm,four‐leggedfriendsandeducationalprograms.Ofparticularinterestarebuildingmaterialsandgoodsalvage,aswellascommercialkitchenequipment.Seethecompletelistonourwebsite.TheCommemorativeLegacyProject.Thisground‐breakingmodelcombineslandprotectionwithapossibleanswertoaquestionfacedbymanyastheyapproachtheendoftheirlives‐whatamIgoingtoberememberedfor?O.U.R.Ecovillagecanbeauniqueandspecialplacetohosttheendoflifecelebrationandthenscatterthe
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ashesofthedeceasedintheCommemorativeConservationScatteringGrounds‐landthatisstewardedassacredbyO.U.R.CommunityandprotectedinperpetuityunderacovenantwiththeLandConservancyofBC.Andratherthanthetypicallyexpensivefuneralservices,allofthiscanbedonewithatax‐deductibledonationtowardstoprotectionofO.U.R.Ecovillageforfuturegenerations.MembershipinO.U.REcovillageCooperative:Becomingamemberallowsyoutobuildaroleinthecooperativeasamemberandco‐ownerofO.U.R.Ecovillage.O.U.RInvestmentShares(availabletobothmembersandnon‐membersofO.U.REcovillageCooperative):Buyinginvestmentsharescontributestotheoveralldevelopmentofthe25acremodelecovillage.MembershipintheSustainableCommunityDevelopmentCooperative:Becomingamemberallowsyoutocontributetowardstheworkofthiscooperativeandtoshareinconsultingservices.Membershipsharescost$250.
Other Sources of information about O.U.R. Ecovillage: Therearemanylinksonhttp://ourecovillage.org/contact/links/
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VIDEO:Peakmoment:AwakeningtheVillageHeartandMindVIDEO:Peakmoment:CreatingtheImpossible–OUREcovillageMoreinformationonO.U.R.community,activitiesandorganizationavailableonO.U.R.website…andbysearchingtheweb. Other References: EcovillageNetworkoftheAmericas(ENA):ena.ecovillage.orgGlobalEcovillageNetwork(GEN):www.ecovillage.orgFellowshipforIntentionalCommunities(FIC):www.ic.orgSome of O.U.R Supporters and Affiliations (by no means a comprehensive list): CommunityFutures/FutureCorp.ProvidenceFarmCowichanTribesBCAlternativeEnergyAssociationUniversityofVictoria–EnvironmentalStudiesProgramCamosunCollege–EnvironmentalTechnologyProgramRoyalRoadsUniversityFieldingUniversityEcovillageNetwork(Canada,AmericasandGlobal)FellowshipforIntentionalCommunityNaturalBuilders’NetworkEcoNewsVictoriaCompostEducationCentreTheLandConservancyofBritishColumbiaLivingRoutesVancitySavingsandCreditUnionIslandSavingsCreditUnionRealEstateFoundationRenewalPartnersBarcapelFoundationSierraFoundationCanadaMortgageandHousingCanadianHomeBuildersAssociationFederationofCanadianMunicipalities
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Policies and Context Pieces CulturalContextforthework‐lifeexperienceatO.U.R.Ecovillage‐“Thisisnotajob!”IfyouarejoiningO.U.R.Ecovillagecommunityinanycapacity,youwillneedtobeawareofthefollowing.“Asknotwhatthecommunitycandoforyou,butwhatyoucandoforthecommunity.”WorkandtimeatO.U.R.Ecovillageareofferedinthespiritofservice.Whetheryouarehereasastudent,intern,volunteer,onapaidpositionorpartialwork‐trade,thevalueofyourbeinghereiswhatyougiveitandhowyourecognizeitasanopportunitytoserve.Inpractice,thiscouldmeanthatyoucouldfindyourselfworkingbesideamorequalifiedpersonwhoisdoingthesameworkvoluntarilywhileyouarebeingpaid,orvice‐versa.WorkatO.U.R.isaninvitationtoexaminethepossibilityofasourceofdeepsatisfactioninwhatyoudothatnourishesthesenseofpurposeinyourlife.Aswithallofourdocumentation,thisisnotsupposedtoeliminateconversation,butsupportustocreatedeeper,moresustainablerelationshipswitheachotherandtheearth.BringquestionsandthoughtstoCouncilortheHRteamsothatwecanallsupportandshareinthelearning.
Drug,AlcoholandTobaccoPolicyO.U.RECOVILLAGEisahighvisibilitydemonstrationspace;wealsosupportfolkstobefullypresenttothemselvesandtoallotherrelationships.WethereforedonotallowillegaldrugsortheiruseonO.U.RProperty.Tobaccouseisallowedindesignatedareas,whichwillbeshowntoyouduringatouroftheproperty.Ifyouareunsure,pleaseask.Alcoholuseispermittedonsiteonlyafterworkhoursona‘usenotabuse’basis.Itisnotpermittedduringworkinghoursandcanbegroundsfordismissal.
ResolvingChallengesIfatanytimeyoumightbeexperiencinganissueorchallengewithanotherpersonorsituationatO.U.R.ECOVILLAGEitisespeciallyimportantthateachofusattemptstoworkthroughthesechallengeswiththeotherpersondirectly…asafirststep.IfthisistrulynotaworkableplanweaskthatyoubringtheissuetoyourSiteSupervisororProgramCo‐ordinator.Ifrequestedsomeonemaybeassignedtositasamediatorwithinasituation.UltimatelyanyunresolvedissueswillbedealtwithbytheProjectAdministratorsorbyO.U.R.Board.Inthespiritofcommunitybuilding‐resolvingchallengesdoesnotmean:
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Talkingaboutsomeonetoanotherperson(thefirststepistobringittowhereyouhavethechallenge).
TalkingaboutothersyouencounteratO.U.R.ECOVILLAGEinderogatoryornegativemanneronoroff‐site.
Gossipinginanyway. Blamingorjudgingothers.
Inthespiritofcommunitybuilding–resolvingchallengescanoftenmean:
Evenifyouhaveachallengewithsomeonethatyouareableto“holdtheminpositiveregard’andlookatyourbehaviour/choicesinasituationtoseehowitiscontributingtothechallenge.
Receivesupportfromothersinthelearningcommunityabouthowyoumightmovethroughyourchallenge.
ConflictResolutionPolicyShouldconflictarisebetweenInterns,Intern(s)andaninstructor,orIntern(s)andaresident(s),thefollowingguidelinesapply:A) First,itisimportantthatanattemptbemadetoresolvetheconflictdirectlywiththe
personinvolved.Weaskthatyoudonotdiscussthesituationwithallothersinthecommunityuntilyouhaveaddresseditdirectlywiththeperson(s)related.
B) Ifthisisnotsuccessful,youcancontacttheHRCoordinatororyourTeamLeader.They
cansimplyactasasupportperson,orcandirectlymediatebetweentheparties.C) IntheeventthataconflictcannotberesolvedevenwiththehelpofyourTeamLeader,
theProgramsCoordinatorwillbeadvised.IfnecessarytheProgramsCoordinatorwillrequestwrittensubmissionsfromallparties,andwillprovideawrittendecision.IftheProgramsCoordinatorcannotsatisfactorilyprovidearesolution,orifthecomplaintinvolvestheCoordinator,theissueistobepresentedinwritingtotheOCABoardforresolution.
CommunityContributionHoursO.U.R.CommunityHourscontributionisintendedtoresonatewiththepracticeofkarmayoga,whichtranslatesas“unionthroughaction”.Aspartofapermaculturedemonstrationsite,thetranslationof“karma”fitsperfectly:both“actionandtheeffectsofthataction”..!TheCommunityContributionisourplaygroundforpracticingandcreatingacultureofserviceinlinewithO.U.R.visionofsustainableglobalwell‐being.Itisanopportunitytobuildsharedvisionandtopracticelivingandworkingtogether.Werecognizethatthiscanbeachallenge.Weencourageeachothertoopencommunicationasanimportantpartofallourlearning.Ifyoustarttofeellikethisisanimposition,orthatitis
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onlyanother10hrsonyourworkweek,speaktoaHearthkeeperortheHumanRelationships(HR)teamlead(Patrick).Howmanyhoursdoesittake?Wehavefoundthatatleast10hrsperpersonperweekbeyondtheformalworkweekisrequiredtocreateO.U.R.Ecovillage.IntentionoftheCommunityContribution
• Getstuffdone!(Tosupportthequalityoflifeweallbenefitfromhere.)• Supportademocraticandfaircultureofparticipationforall,includingchildren.• Tocreateanopportunitytobringpeopleintothedynamicsofteamandcommunity
workandthehowofmakingitwork.• Topracticeanddemonstratehowweworkthroughconflictandlivewithdiversity.• Recognizeandlearnfromourownandothers’workstyles.• Supportconnectionoutsidetherolesassociatedwithjobs.• UnderstandandsupportthecultureofhospitalityatO.U.R.Ecovillage.Nosingle
personisthefaceofO.U.R.‐wecanallofferrelationship.•
DefinitionCommunityContribution:1. Directlysupportsthewellbeingofthewholecommunity.2. Happensoutsideworkhours3. Isasuggestedaverageof10hrs/week.4. Supportsinter‐connectionbetweenroles,teamsandindividuals.
Whodoes10hrsCommunityContribution?
1. Residents2. PaidContinuingInterns3. ResidentVolunteers
WhodoesnotdotheCommunitycontribution.
1. Peoplepayingforcurriculum(interns,courseparticipants,workshops).2. Non‐residentStaff.3. Childrenundertheageof18areencouragedtoparticipatebutnotrequiredto
participateinthisagreement.WhatactivitiesareeligibleforCommunityContribution?(Requiresagreementandcoordinationwiththeteamleadoftheareaaffected.)
1. Supportingotherteams‐requiresagreementandcoordinationwiththeteamlead.(garden,farm,office,site,events,hospitality,infrastructure).
2. Projects/proposalsthathavebeenapprovedbytheProgrammingTeam.3. Preparingproposalsthatservethecommunity.4. RepresentingO.U.R.atplannedoff‐sitecommunityevents.5. Supportingonsiteevents‐(parking,set‐up,tours,clean‐up,programming,teaching,
kitchensupport,hospitalityservices,etc).6. Drivingforsiteandeventneeds(gasmoneybypriorarrangement).
WhatisnoteligibleforCommunityContribution?
1. Careschedule
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2. Careforpersonalspace(notincludingimprovementstoinfrastructure‐checkwithinfrastructureteamlead)
3. Personalcare(showering,massage,medical,etc)4. Councilandmosttrainingprograms.5. Childcare
TrackingAspartoftheroleofthiscommunityinresearchinganddevelopingbroaderframeworksforasustainablesociety,wearetrackingeveryhourofcontributionthatsupportsthecreationofO.U.R.Ecovillage.Whilealsoneededforrealcostbudgetingofprojectsforfunders,andsupportingourresearchpartnerstodocumentandexplaintheshiftfromapurelyfinancialtoafull‐spectrumdefinitionofvalue,itsupportsusindividuallytochoosehowwedefinevalueinourlives.Thisrequiresdata,whichiswhywetrackourvolunteerhoursonourtimesheetsintheparallelcolumntothepaidhrs.WhathappensifIdon’tdoCommunityHours?Doyoufeelyouareadequatelysupportingthiscommunity?Doyoufeelthepeoplearoundyouarepullingtheirweight?NotdoingtheCommunityContributionputsO.U.R.sustainabilityatrisk.Ifthereisasenseinthecommunitythatsomeoneisbenefittinginanunbalancedwayfromother’scontribution,orwillfully“consuming”thecommunityresourceswithoutregardforourroleasstewardsofthislandandcommunity,itwillbetreatedasanyotherchallenge‐seetheResolvingChallengesPolicy.Thesuccessofthis“policy”restsoneachofusholdingourselvesandeachotheraccountableforourimpact.Youareinvitedtoengageinthecommunicationanddeeperrelationshipthatthiswillrequire.
VisitorpolicyIntroductionThispolicycomesinthecontextoftherecognitionthatO.U.R.Ecovillageisengagedinnothinglessthancultureshiftonapersonalandgloballevel.Thisoftenmeanswearealsoengageinthedevelopmentofnewconceptualframeworkstodiscusssomeofourpoliciesandagreements.StimulatingthislearningisacoreelementofO.U.R.mission.Theconversationsarisingoutofthesepoliciescanbeasimportantasthepoliciesthemselves.IntentionofthisVisitorPolicy
• Tosupportthecultureofco‐creationatO.U.R.andbeyond.• Supporttheupkeepandstewardshipofallcommonspaces,infrastructureandamenities
ofourcommunity(usedbyeveryone).
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Policy
1. Peoplemayhostfamily,closefriendsorintimatepartnerscomingspecificallytovisittheresidentandwhowouldn’tcomeotherwiseintheirpersonallivingspace,orcamping,forthefollowinglengthsoftimebeforetheymayberequiredtocompleteaResidentAgreementandRoleAgreement.
Long‐termResidents(livingonsiteforlongerthan3months):
• upto7consecutivedays.• maximumof10days/month• onconditionthatthevisitors’presenceissupportiveofO.U.R.visionandtheirown
wellbeing.Interns(inprogramsof4‐12weeks):
• upto3consecutivedays• maximumof6days/month,• onconditionthatthevisitorspresenceissupportiveofO.U.R.vision,theirown
wellbeingandtheinterns’abilitytoparticipateintheprogram.Ifthevisitorisfamily,closefriendsorintimatepartnerscomingspecificallytovisittheresidentandwhowouldn’tcomeotherwise,theywillpaythefamily/long‐termresidentrate(adults$10/night,kids7‐12$5/night).Allothervisitorswillcovertheircostsatthegeneralrate.Thisdoesnotincludefood.
2. Eachresidenthas1freenightpermonthtouseastheywishforvisitors.Thesecannotbebankedortraded.
Thepersonbeingvisitedisresponsibletoensure:
• thevisitorsignsawaiverwhenarrivingonsite.• thevisitorbehavesinanappropriatemannerwhileatO.U.R.Ecovillage.Thisincludes
ensuringthatchildrenaresupervisedatalltimes,givingfeedbacktofriendsifrequired,ensuringthesitepoliciesmentionedinthisdocumentarerespected,recyclingisrinsed,etc.
• allfeesarepaidpromptly• anydamagetopropertyofanyindividualororganizationatO.U.R.Ecovillageis
ultimatelytheresponsibilityofthepersonbeingvisited.• thevisitoriseducatedaboutandinvitedtoparticipateinO.U.R.Ecovillagecultureand
activities.ThisincludesintroducingthemtotheHandbookreferencedabove,invitingthemtoCouncil(ifappropriate)andhelpingthemadapttovillagelifeatO.U.R.
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O.U.R. Eaters’ Manifesto O.U.R.VisionistojoyfullysharefoodasmedicineforO.U.R.selves,O.U.R.landandforO.U.R.broaderworld’ssocioeconomic,ecologicalandpoliticalsystems.O.U.R.coreapproachworkstowardcollaborativerespectwithallofO.U.R.livingcompanions:animals,plants,micro‐
organismsandofcoursehumans.
WetrytokeepO.U.R.foodaffordable,accessibleandhealthy.O.U.R.idealistoeatorganicandGMO‐free.O.U.R.abilitytodothisislimitedbythecost.
Westrivetowardseatinganourishingdietofnatural,wholefoods,preparedformaximal
enjoymentandappropriatenutrition,inspiredbytraditionalcookingwisdom.Weaimtousecarefullypreparedwholegrainsoverrefinedcarbohydrates,andincludeunrefinedfatsand
wholesomesweetenersinmoderation.
WeworktogrowO.U.R.ownorganicfoodsinlinewithtraditionalandcontemporarywisdom,towardsregenerationofthelandandwholesomenourishmentofO.U.R.selvesasEaters.
WedoO.U.R.besttosupportsmall‐scale,localandorganicfoodsystemswhenweareunabletoprovideforO.U.R.needsonthisland.
Wetrustmixedfarming(whichincludesraisingplantsandanimalsforfood)tobeasoundwayofkeepingO.U.R.landandO.U.R.selvesbothproductiveandvital,andcontinuetodeepenO.U.R.
skillsandunderstandingofhowtobestdothis.
Wehonourtherolethatplant‐basedeatingplayswithinthemulti‐facetedspectrumofpersonalandplanetaryhealing.Weprepareandofferprimarilyplant‐basedfoodoptionstoourguests.InlinewithO.U.R.guidingvision,wealsogivethanksforsomecompassionately‐raisedanimal
foodsinO.U.R.meals.Wevaluecollectiveeatingasacommunitybuildingpractice,anantidotetomanyofO.U.R.
world’sills.WerespecteachEater’schoiceinselectingwhatisappropriateforher‐/himselffromamidst
O.U.R.foodofferings.
WhileweaimtoaccommodateO.U.R.guests’needs,wearenotyetabletocatertocomplexindividualfoodrequirementsnorsevereallergies.However,O.U.R.guestsmaystoresmallquantitiesoffoodtomeettheirspecificneeds.VeganandRawFoodEaters,whilerespectedandwarmlywelcomed,maynotalwaysbesatisfiedwithO.U.R.foodofferings.Pleaseletus
knowinadvanceaboutyourneedsandpreferencessothatwemightconsiderthem.Together,wearestilllearninghowtodoallofthesethings.Wewelcomeconstructive
feedback,andappreciateyourrespectforO.U.R.ongoingprocess.
Inlinewiththepracticeofholisticmedicine,wewelcometheexperiencesofpersonalandcollectivediscomfort(oftenknownasa‘healingresponse’)thataccompanytheshiftsaway
fromunwholesomefoodrelationships.
WeareallEaters,WeareallEaten.Mayweallbewell.
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SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
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PleasefamiliarizeyourselfwiththeaboveSafetyandEmergenciesMap.FirstAid/MedicalEmergencies
• MakesureyouknowwhoonsiteistrainedinFirstAid(designatedFirstAidperson(s).• Ifanemergencyoccurs,godirectlyandimmediatelytotheFirstAidpersonnel,and
reportthesituation.• PleasestandbytoassisttheFirstAiderasdirected.Youmayberequiredtophone911,
foranambulance.Fire
• Inthecaseofasmallfire,gototheclosestfireextinguisher,andextinguishtheflame.• IfthefireistoolargetobedealtwithbytheequipmentatO.U.R.ECOVILLAGE,thencall
thefiredepartment–dial911.• ImmediatelyreportanyincidenttoO.U.REcovillagestaff/residents.• GatheringpointisinfrontofO.U.ROffice(seemap).
Earthquake
• Stayawayfromwindows.Ifyouareinabuilding,remainthereforthedurationoftheearthquake.Duck&cover:squatonthegroundquickly(ideallyunderatableordeskforaddedprotection).
• Moveawayfromtop‐heavyfurnishings,bookcasesandotherthingsthatcouldfallonyou.
• Moveunderadesk,tableorotherpieceofheavyfurnitureandholdontoit.Ifitmovesabout,movewithit.
• Ifyourkneesareontheground&spreadapartyouarelesslikelytobeknockedoverbythemovementoftheground.Bendatthewaist.
• Placeyoureyesintothecrookofyourarmforaddedprotectionanduseyourotherhandtoprotectthebackofyouneckandheadasmuchaspossible.
• Ifyouareunabletogetunderapieceoffurniture,flattenyourselfagainstawallintheinteriorofthebuilding,andprotectyourheadasbestasyoucan.
• Ifyouareoutdoors,movetoanopenarea,awayfrombuildings,powerpoles,andbrickorblockwallsthatcouldcollapse.
AfterAnEarthquake:
• Trytoremaincalm,andbereadyformoreshaking.Aftershocksoftenfollowthefirsttremor.
• Meetinthedesignatedarea(asoutlinedonthepreviousemergencyproceduresandsafetymap).
• Checkwitheveryoneonsiteforinjuries,takingthenecessarystepstogive/gethelptothosewhoneedit.