By Annie Rose London

Jordan and Brandy at the info table at Planet Organic during February

What happened !? The winter months have been a blur of learning and connections. With an incredible outpouring of support, questions, ideas and new possibilities, a generous grouping of individuals have stepped up to support the continued existence of OUR ECOVILLAGE as a 25 acre Sustainable Living Demonstration Site and Education Center – an international showcase.

The “Ethical Investment Mortgage” had almost $1million in Investors show up to enquire as to what opportunities existed in creating ‘community investing in community’ as a model and a practical tool to move forward with the next phase of OUR ECOVILLAGE. Having said that perhaps 60% have not been able to/or chose not to….be able to follow through for various reasons (costs/penalties, deciding to jump in on other higher paying interest funds, inability to transfer funds, etc). In 5 months that is an incredible response and possibility that is demonstrated in the realm of how new models for ‘Social Finance‘ might be realized for OUR and projects across Canada. This mortgage becomes a testimonial to what groups of people can do not only throughout other projects in BC but across Canada….and as always all the efforts we have put out are ‘open source’ and the resources are to be shared with who might want to create a similar framework for any other organization.

With the remaining 40% of these folks we are squeaking across the deadline with the $400k….as long as the last remaining folks have no unforeseen challenges with paperwork. There are more costs associated with Appraisal Fees, admin fees etc that we are still doing a cost recovery on …and generally this has been fairly painless to set up, has created a lot of community building and wider community connections, and has been a testimonial to what community can create when everyone sees themselves as part of the process. Island Savings Credit Union has agreed to hold the current mortgage until the final paperwork and investors complete on the full populating of the Ethical Investment Mortgage. At this time there are some Investors with $10-$50K which we have ‘wait-listed’ as a back up for Investors who may need to withdrawn prior to the 1-5 year commitment they have made…and we are also still accepting larger Investors as potential partners as the Ethical Investment Mortgage evolves.

An amazing new element unfolded as so many individuals and organizations expressed their wish to help “Protect OUR ECOVILLAGE Forever“…and yet were not in the position to invest in a mortgage. With this OUR team came up with another option to support that desire. As a statement of ‘good faith’ to the Investors who have stepped up for the mortgage – we have created a parallel opportunity: “OUR Sustainers – Core Support Program“. This has huge impact as folks are able to become much more involved in OUR ECOVILLAGE through monthly giving (with tax receipts) but also are able to join in OUR Harvest Festival every fall, having large discounts from courses/activities onsite, and building community on much larger scale. Check it out and jump in to match the vision of the Investors… and gain so much more… this summer is packed with possibilities.

Join Starhawk for her Earth Activist Training, take an Organic Master Gardener Certification, send your family member on an Internship odyssey, or even just get away for a Farm Stay Ecovillage Explorer….use your Sustainer discount as many times as you like. This creates y/OUR opportunity -

Looking forward to what the ripples of community creates as we work together at OUR ECOVILLAGE, this bio-region, and throughout the planet…

Heide Brown, investor, from Gabriola and Deborah Curran, lawyer, at the FOG Research Project meetings in November 2011.

We invite you to participate in a new collaborative “Ethical Investment Mortgage” administered through Concentra Trust. Individuals or organizations can direct their resources into this low risk investment and even redirect their current (or newly purchased) RRSP’s into a “syndicated mortgage.” The process of being involved can be customized to meet your needs – investors will be able to invest different amounts, with different terms. A syndicated mortgage allows multiple investors to collectively form a mortgage that is registered against the title of a property. OUR Ecovillage is offering this option for investors looking to support environmental and social impact – thus it is being called the “Ethical Investment Mortgage.”

This does not mean investors will co-own the land. We have a separate process for co-ownership and long-term residency. However, you will be able to earn market rate interest on your investment and you can withdraw your investment at any time. Investments may include cash/securities, transfer of RRSPs or purchase of new RRSPs which are assigned to be self-directed to the “Ethical Investment Mortgage.” All annual fees will be covered by O.U.R. Ecovillage.

This new mortgage option is a significant step toward the longstanding dream of full legal and financial community ownership of OUR Ecovillage.

The development of this social finance model has been created through the “F.O.G. (finance, ownership, and governance) of Common Share Research Program”. As this framework is piloted with O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE the legal work will become open source for many other community projects across Canada; non-profits societies, and Coops, many of which experience similar finance barriers within the work of Sustainable Community conventional models. Particularly in the arena of land conservation and protection…it is hoped this pilot mortgage will offer itself out creating a ripple ofongoing opportunity for ‘community to invest in community’. In partnership with The Land Conservancy of BC – OUR ECOVILLAGE is a non-certified Organic Farm, a land stewardship model, a park, and an eco-education center which is now being protected for all future generations as these Investors ensure the continued existence.

If a larger investment is not within your reach at this time – you can also check out OUR Sustainers -Core Support Program to ‘invest’ in a different way. In an effort to show good faith to the Ethical Investment Mortgage Investors, to build more of a community network, and to create more and more accessibility for all of the folks who visit/volunteer/participate in some way in this community commons……and to create some amazing discounts for activities and education programs onsite…..please consider an annual or monthly contribution and becoming a core supporter of OUR!

Tavion, Elizabeth, Brandy and Freya the day Tavion delivered his donation.

We were recently blessed to recieve the following email:

“My grandson Tavion attended one of your summer camps 2011 and loved it. When I was checking my emails around christmas I came across your email asking for help to keep O.U.R. Ecovillage alive. I read the email to Tavion and this was his response. “You know that LEGO Castle I have been saving up for, well I don’t want it anymore, I want to give my money to Ecovillage so I can go to camp again”. This coming from a 6 year old was incredible to me. I knew that I already wanted to help out, so, myself plus some of my family will be donating with Tavion. We also want to do more and have a few ideas up our sleeves. Guess I wanted to write to you to share Tavions’ story, but also show that there are a lot of people regardless of age who feel a real passion for Ecovillage, the people and the incredible work that you all do. When I walked on to the property everyday for that week, a sense of calm came over me that would last the rest of my day. How special is that?”

Thank you Tavion and grandma, Elizabeth, for being part of this community and allowing us to share this.

Here’s the story:
In the summer of 2011, 6 year old Tavion came to a week long children’s camp at OUR. Like many summer camps there were lots of fun outdoor activities but this camp also offered the children opportunities to learn African drumming and dancing. and even play with a little mud mixture – or cob as we call it. He had a wonderful and memorable time!

Fast forward to November 2011 and the launch of Protect OUR Ecovillage campaign. Tavion learned from his grandmother that the Ecovillage might be threatened with closing if funds could not be raised for the mortgage. That would mean no more summer camps at the Ecovillage.

Now, Tavion had been saving his money for a super, new Lego set he dearly wanted. He saved his birthday gift money. He saved precious coins the tooth fairy left under his pillow. He saved his Christmas gift money. He saved his allowance. And when he heard that OUR might close and the children would not be able to come back to the village and visit the sheep and pigs and the ducks and turkeys and learn about cob and play music in the fields – he decided to give all of the money he had saved to help protect OUR Ecovillage!

Tavion has become the youngest donor to the Protect OUR Ecovillage campaign. He prsented his donation of $68 to OUR Executive Director Brandy Gallagher. To sweeten the pot even more, Tavion’s donation right away brought in more contributions to the fund as his grandmother and another family member each matched his donation!

What a wonderful, heartfelt gift to OUR! What a great inspiration for all of us! What an amazing young philanthropist in the making. Tavion: we thank you! And acknowledge the lesson that no matter our age or size – each of us has something to give.

Sand, Clay and Straw creates beauty in The Healing Sanctuary

Make monthly or annual donations towards the operating budget of OUR Ecovillage and become one of “O.U.R. Sustainers”

In addition to the ethical investors syndicated mortgage, we are launching a monthly donor drive to provide sustainable, long-term operational support for O.U.R. This aspect of the Protect O.U.R. Ecovillage Forever Campaign has been created in order to show ‘good faith’ to the incredible circle of investors who are pledging direct investment and self-directed RRSP investment in the Ethical Investment Mortgage. The need is to secure $6,000 per month for the basic operating costs that will ensure O.U.R. Ecovillage continues educating and inspiring thousands of people each year.

SAND: For as little as $25 a year you can become an Annual donor. Benefits include: a seat at our Annual Fall Harvest Festival ; the monthly newsletter; no cost , self-guided tours for you and your family or friends; plus a tax receipt for your donation. What a sweet deal!

CLAY: For as little as $10 a month, you will receive 10% off your tuition for O.U.R. courses and internships for you, your family and friends.

STRAW: For only $20 a month you can receive up to 20% off tuition fees for O.U.R. courses and internships for you, your family and friends.

We think you will agree with us that these are great benefits and create a win-win situation – but best of all future generations will be able to keep coming to OUR and enjoy the benefits as well.

You can sign up for monthly donations here, or to learn more about how you can invest in OUR, contact us at: protect@ourecovillage.org or call us at: 250-888-7798.

Natural Buildling Intern, Holly, cobbing the root cellar dragon.

Scott Kelly, Gentle Earth Products

OUR Ecovillage Partners with Gentle Earth Products to Protect OUR Ecovillage while Promoting Earth-Friendly Products

Gentle Earth Products of Victoria has recently proposed supporting OUR Ecovillage by creating an on-line, Gentle Earth product purchasing option with 50% of the profits coming back to the Protect OUR Ecovillage campaign.

“By purchasing from this website you are supporting the sustainable living education center and permaculture demonstration site at O.U.R. Ecovillage,” explains Scott Kelly, founder of Gentle Earth Products and enthusiastic supporter of OUR. “Help be the change, contribute to a world that works by choosing Gentle Earth Products for the health of your family, home and the planet we all depend on. Help us reach our goal of raising the money needed for OUR Ecovillage by supporting OUR through purchasing through this site and participating in their on-going programs. Help us transform this world by using Gentle Earth Products. For the love of our earth and it’s people let’s all get behind ONE UNITED RESOURCE.”

Gentle Earth is a “friend” of OUR Ecovillage and some of their products are used at OUR given their gentle, effective nature. “Gentle Earth has taken a stand for OUR,” says Scott. “We want to help them meet their objective of becoming a sustainable community that is an example to all of us in Canada moving forward into sustainable living.”

You too can take a stand for the earth and support OUR Ecovillage by purchasing products through Gentle Earth’s website. Check that there is a box explaining the partnership between Gentle Earth and OUR Ecovillage and you can be sure part of your purchase will go to help Protect OUR Ecovillage.

So, here it is:

We are nearly 2 thirds of the way there!

$250,000 of the $400,000 required by March 2012 has been pledged by a group of investors in the ethical investment mortgage being created with Concentra Financial.

• about 40 people so far have contributed close to $12,000 since the start of this campaign with donations ranging from $20 to $5000.

• People are doing what they can.

Who cannot be inspired by the fact that this community has raised just over $250,000 in just under two months?

Standup and join the huge circle that believes in what O.U.R. Ecovillage represents – a more sustainable, heart-centred future for ourselves, the Earth, and our children’s children.

Let us continue to step up, person by person, with whatever amount is possible, to reach $400,000 by March to secure the future of OUR Ecovillage with a jointly-held mortgage.

• Talk to your family and friends about the Protect O.U.R. Ecovillage Campaign.

• Share it on Facebook (use the little share button on the Protect O.U.R. page).

• Make your donation here, or contact us (protect@ourecovillage.org) about participating in the ethical investment mortgage

Here are links to two other Shaw pieces focusing on OUR Ecovillage: Green Burial, and OUR Permaculture action

Hello to all OUR Friends…..

I feel encouraged.  Since launching the Protect OUR Ecovillage campaign, folks from all over have shared the deep personal connections they feel in their relationship with OUR ECOVILLAGE, and how it is quite unimaginable that it could ever just disappear.  We are determined to not have this happen and are working with a small team….day and night, 7 days a week, to get the word out there.  Anything you can do to help this happen will certainly assist in making the circle stronger.

I am asking that you (and that you pass this on to someone else who might as well) consider creating a gift towards family or friends [not to mention towards the next generation] as a holiday/birthday/other type of contribution which protects multiple square feet of land at OUR ECOVILLAGE.  This gift is a donation and therefore entitles you to a tax receipt for your generosity!

It is deeply hoped that as word goes out we can bring forward the last investors needed to ‘populate’ the new Ethical Investment Mortgage.   Already, two friends have committed to directing their funds or RRSP’s into a new “Syndicated Mortgage” administered by Concentra Financial. (see our fundraising thermometer online)  If you or someone you know is interested in ’investing ethically’ and seeing your resources used to achieve a vision you believe in,  give us a shout and we can talk it through.  As another supporter wrote about why she’s considering this option, “I would like my RRSP to reflect my desire to protect the land, not be taking from Her.”

One step in creating this ‘Ethical Investment Mortgage’ is to obtain an updated Appraisal for the land and infrastructure of OUR ECOVILLAGE.  The last Appraisal in 2006 showed a very high value and since then there has been 3 new buildings (one very large!) and a great deal of landscaping/agricultural development done.  This puts the Ethical Investment Mortgage in a great position in terms of loan to value….and ensures a very low-risk mortgage.

After the many years of trying to find or create finance models that work best for community projects/ecovillages/shared farms, this comes as a major breakthrough!  OUR team is very pleased to be able to demonstrate the viability of this innovative means for “community to invest in community”.  Please note that both RRSP and other securities/cash investment are possible in this model.

Looking forward to next connections - Brandy

PS -  With a stroke of amazing timing the TV Series Peak Moments have quickly published a show which we had filmed earlier this year.  Please take a moment to watch some of this video, share it with your friends, and give us feedback on how deeply it may touch the core of what you value about OUR ECOVILLAGE - 12 years of work, onsite educational programming, 1000′s of volunteers per year (not to mention the 10,000+ folks who had some type of educational connection with OUR work in 2011).

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Spread the Word! Peak Moment Conversation #206, “Awakening the Village Heart and Mind” is online on the Peak Moment website.  We appreciate your spreading the word about your program and Peak Moment TV, and hope you’ll link to or embed the video on your website and any social media sites. Where possible, please use the Peak Moment link  when you share – it helps people learn more about the urgent deadline for OUR ECOVILLAGE of March 1st, 2012.

Awakening the Village Heart and Mind

“From their zero-mile bistro to zoning and financing innovations, O.U.R. Ecovillage in BC, Canada has paved the way for many communities worldwide. For Brandy Gallagher, the story on the planet right now could be a shared ethos of caring: “Everyone is fed. Everyone is taken care of.” Asserting that “No is just an uneducated Yes,” Brandy shows how a village mindset can transform individuals, preserve land, reduce resource use, apply permaculture principles, change laws, and even the way money works [www.ourecovillage.org].”
(from the Peak Moments website)

However… there’s more to it. Uh oh… having said that, how can I tell you about this great Xmas gift opportunity without adding to the sensory Xmas overload that you might be experiencing? Well – how can I not?!

I’m looking for meaning in Christmas and gift-giving. If you are too, here’s something I’ve found that might interest you:

With a few clicks of your browser, you can make a tax deductible Christmas donation towards the Protect OUR Ecovillage Campaign. This can be done as a gift to someone else (they receive an email-card stating explaining that you have protected part of OUR Ecovillage in their name), or you might do this simply as an antidote to those nasty, aforementioned side-effects…

When you make your donation, you will find an neat little button (thanks Justin!) that tells you how much land you have protected. Imagine: if one hundred readers each give a $50 gift (to their mothers… ok, or anyone else), that would protect an area the size of the Healing Sanctuary, including the surrounding woods, the labyrinth… and the pond.