In our Econaut volunteer program, we ask for a commitment between 2-4 weeks and expect 20 hours of work per week. In exchange for 20 hours of work/week, an econaut will receive food for three meals/day (note: everyone is responsible for cooking their own meals when a shared meal is not available) as well as access to our communal spaces and amenities. Volunteers are given the options of tent camping or, if rooms are available, either private or shared rooms (a monthly fee may be included). Amenities include access to the common house, showers, composting toilets, electricity, wifi and a diverse range of community activities and offerings. All interactions between volunteers and residents, including duration of stay at the ecovillage, are based on mutual consent.
Econauts are expected to have weekly meetings with the Volunteer Coordinator to provide project updates and track volunteer hours. If an econaut completes their tasks in less than 20 hrs during a one week period, they can talk to the Volunteer Coordinator to find more options to help!
Required skills for all Econaut positions:
- Motivated, hard-working, strong work-ethic, works well with others and is diligent.
- Flexible to working around others schedules.
- Adaptable to rustic and rugged living/working conditions (limited running water, bugs and rodents may be present, working in heat and inclement weather)
- Self-directed (able to see where help is needed and step up to take responsibility)
- Self-reliant (ability to take care of themselves and speak up if needed)
- Can clean up after themselves.
- High level of emotional awareness and stability (or a desire to improve), this includes being able to communicate when one's needs are not being met and ask for support when needed.
- Open to seriously grappling with the ways in which privilege, colonialism, racism, and sexism have shaped society, everyday social interactions, and one’s own life
- Non judgemental and generous of spirit.
- Passionate about grassroots sustainability, community, and exploring alternatives to mainstream culture while remaining humble and understanding that everything is a work in progress!
All Econauts are responsible for cleaning up after themselves in communal spaces, work areas and outdoors. Cleaning up in communal spaces is seen as community involvement, not as hours towards weekly expectation. Everyone who eats at shared meals cleans together! Other tasks (ex. wood chopping) available from the Volunteer Coordinator! Please inform us of physical health conditions that may inhibit this and we can work around that.
Specialized Econaut positions
For those with specific skills, we are looking to fill these roles:
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- Construction/Project Assistant - Manual labor on various tasks around the village. Construction experience and general tool knowledge required.
- Equine Assistant - Feeding, training, cleaning, riding and all other care and management of horses.
- Garden Assistant - Support gardening tasks: weeding, planting, harvesting
- Grant Writer - Find funding opportunities that align with our organization, research deadlines, draft grant proposals, submit reports for approval.
- Kitchen Assistant - Support our communal kitchens: cooking, baking, grocery shopping, seasonal harvest processing, washing dishes and cleaning.
- Masseuse - Help our bodies stop hurting! 😛
- Muralist - Paint village-approved murals.
- Photographer/Video Editor/Content Creator - Take raw audio and video footage, organize clips, add appropriate sound and graphics, video projects are for social media but also to archive our progress.
Mutual Consent- All interactions between volunteers and residents, including time spent at the ecovillage, are based on mutual consent, meaning all parties freely and willingly agree to participate and may withdraw consent at any time. Because of this stipulation, we ask that all econauts have a backup option for housing. As part of our commitment to community care and continuity, returning volunteers will be given priority consideration for open positions.
Econaut Communal Agreements
General Guidelines
- The ecovillage is a community, villagers live here, please respect it as a home. Do not go into anyone’s private space (“yards” as well as cabins or tents) uninvited.
- We are striving to be a minimal waste community, work exchangers are asked to limit the amount of waste they purchase, create and discard.
- Vehicles should be parked in a designated area except for cabins with driveways.
- The speed limit in the village is Pi, 3.14 miles per hour.
- No smoking in any public areas (common house, deck, pond, any of the central walkways). Smoking, drinking, substance use should be done in private. People under the influence, to a significant degree, should avoid common areas unless necessary.
Showers
- There are two communal showers (indoor and outdoor) available and guests are asked to keep showers short (under 15 min) so that enough hot water is available for all.
- All soaps, shampoos, conditioners, ect. must be biodegradable as they will be running into the Earth.
Communal Spaces
- Our two main communal spaces: The deck and the common house.
- Please help to keep these spaces clean and free of clutter.
- Pets of volunteers and visitors are not allowed in communal spaces unless a special request is approved at a village meeting.
Food
- Food in the communal kitchens are considered shared unless marked with a name.
Other
- Do not move tools or project materials without permission from a villager.
- Econauts are responsible for any damages made upon communal and private property. (This means fixing or replacing property in a reasonable amount of time with open communication with village or relevant individuals.)
- Econauts will be expected to pay for their own propane for heating their cabins if necessary.
If you are interested in joining the Econaut program, click here to fill out our interest form and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you soon. Please include details about relevant skills / experience
