Participation and Exit Policy 27 November 2005

This is a DRAFT for discussion purposes, and it is not approved yet. Please feel free to add comments following the link at the bottom of the page

Written by Joe Linton, per discussion with participation committee: Angel, Ann, Joe

• Note:* This document builds on the participation expectations approved at the August 2005 LAEV Retreat. , At that meeting, LAEV approved by consensus that eco-village residents are expected to participate in LAEV activities, with a minimum monthly participation being two of three of the following:

1. attending Building/Community meeting,
2. attending one community dinner,
3. contributing 4 hours volunteer time.

Residents who consistently do not participate will be encouraged to participate or to exit. (Please see the exact wording – this is a summary.) This “Participation and Exit” policy document intends to address two related items: how do we encourage LAEV residents to participate? How do we exit LAEV residents who do not participate?

Part 1: Participation Policy Goals:

• Create balanced opportunities for individual participation and collective stewardship
• Build a dynamic community through diversity and cooperation
• Encourage LAEV residents to choose to participate or to exit the project

Part 2: Community Commitment to Foster Participation

2.1 Community will maintain a listing of approved volunteer opportunities, available to all current and prospective LAEV residents.

2.2 Community will host at least 4 volunteer work days. These will take place, at a minimum, quarterly. They will be scheduled in advance, with notice posted in the lobby and via email at least one week prior to the event. The quarterly work parties will be hosted by a rotating team of volunteers, similar to the community’s meeting facilitation team. Hosts will work with LAEV residents to identify priority projects for community work days.

Part 3: Exit Process for Non-Participating LAEV Residents

3.1 All intentional residents will participate in voluntary self-reporting of LAEV participation. Residents fill out a very short form and include it with each monthly rent payment. Possibly, a modest (such as $5/month) discount on rent could be used to encourage that residents consistently fill out their self-reporting forms.

3.2 Resident participation self-reporting forms will be reviewed every 3 months. This review will include all intentional residents, so as to avoid conflict and to not single out specific residents.

3.3 Any resident that, for two or more months in the quarter, does not self-report, or does not fulfill minimum participation expectations, will receive a letter requesting that they participate or begin the exit process. In addition, another LAEV resident will visit the non-participating resident and have a conversation to encourage participation and to attempt to clarify the non-participating resident’s intent.

3.4 Situation of each non-participating resident who received the letter and conversation will be reviewed after one month. If the non-participating resident has not chosen to participate, then she/he will receive a second letter, which will include scheduling a discussion and decision of that person’s exit at an upcoming meeting of the Building/Community meeting. .