Visitor Guildelines & Digital Wavers 

 

All visitors to O.U.R. Ecovillage must complete the following Waiver and Release of Liability. 

WAIVER and RELEASE OF LIABILITY and PHOTOGRAPHIC RELEASE

I am aware that construction activities, building materials, hand and power tools, and any work sites can be dangerous, and there is a serious risk of personal injury.

I acknowledge that OUR Ecovillage, Cobworks, Brandy Gallagher, Trent Berg, and the apprentices, interns, staff, students, volunteers and residents of these organizations are not responsible for my personal injury caused as a result of the use, misuse, malfunction, attempt to repair or any other operation of hand or power tools, working with animals, machines or as a result of any activities which I may be involved in through any aspect of OUR ECOVILLAGE (on or off-site). I undertake these activities at my own risk and acknowledge that these organizations and individuals cannot be held liable whatsoever for these activities.

I realize that during my time at O.U.R. Ecovillage, I may be included in photographs or videos taken by residents, other course participants, visitors or members of the press. I authorize the use by O.U.R. Ecovillage of any photographs taken of me during my time at O.U.R. Ecovillage for use in promotional materials, including print and online, that support O.U.R. Ecovillage in building community and marketing courses or events.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.  BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE ELECTRONIC FORM BELOW, I ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT

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Guidelines For Visitors At O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE

Please also have a look at O.U.R. Information Handbook & Visitor’s Guide

Please do not bring any pets onsite.

Staff person responsible: see the office to confirm who is on duty that day. Please let the staff know one week in advance, and they will advise the cooks if meals are needed.

During summer programs, visiting family and friends are always welcome as long as it does not impact on maximum numbers already onsite, the cooks, or the work projects. Students are responsible for putting information on the visitor board, introduce his/her guest to the community circle, provide guests with a tour of the ECOVILLAGE and show them O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE procedures for chores, dishwashing, the community process, etc. If they would like a comprehensive tour, let us know, and the office folks will organize a time/date.

Worksite visitors checking out education programs through ‘TOPIA: The Sustainable Learning Community Institute may be welcomed to participate in the onsite work if it is feasible for the team.  Until folks have a necessary level of training, they will need to work with others on the site and often will participate in less specialized tasks. The teachers/facilitators/participants need to be informed ahead of time so that they can decide how to use the energy, the numbers of people, as well as have time to nominate a project leader to oversee the volunteers and do quality control. ‘Skillbuilder’ participants (see ‘Programs/Events page for more info on these programs) must supervise their own friends and/or family members if they are helping on-site. A staff person will clear volunteers with the designated site leader before giving them the go-ahead. The site leader, and any other needs of the week, will be determined at the first Community Meeting of the week.

WORK PARTIES happen during the summer – please call or email ahead to confirm O.U.R. schedule

Skillbuilder classes are primarily for apprentices and participants enrolled in focused educational programs…if someone wishes to attend a topic class, please make this request to the Program Coordinator for the School.

Community Meetings are a daily way for visitors to introduce themselves and become part of the overall group process and understanding of OUR Community.  We ask that recognition is given to the work and challenges which have already been experienced within the summer, and that participation in the community meeting is supportive of the folks who live/work onsite on an ongoing basis.

Generally O.U.R. Council Meetings (also known as The Heart Circle) are open to folks only if they are planning to be here a minimum of one month. If other facilitators/guests/teachers wish to participate, please contact a regular council member in advance of the meeting.

Children are a welcome part of O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE.  We ask that the parent/guardian take full responsibility and supervision for their kids while on site. The building sites, woodworking shop, and gardens are potentially dangerous areas and children must have adult supervision at all times in these areas.

Waiver: All residents and visitors must sign a waiver when arriving and before working anywhere onsite.  If you are completing volunteer, staff, or resident agreement, the waiver is included on those forms.

DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO POLICY

O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE is a high visibility demonstration space; we also support folks to be fully present to themselves and to all other relationships.  We therefore do not allow illegal drugs or their use on O.U.R. Property.

Tobacco use is allowed in designated areas, which will be shown to you during a tour of the property.  If you are unsure, please ask.

Alcohol use is permitted on site only after work hours.  It is not permitted during working hours and can be grounds for dismissal.

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Land acknowledgment

OUR ECOVILLAGE is situated on unceded Indigenous lands. The Coast Salish Peoples are the guardians of these lands and waters where we live, work, pray, and play. Quw’utsun (Cowichan) is a historical place of gathering and Na’tsa’ maht Shqwaluwun/”one-heart one-mind” for many Indigenous peoples.

OUR ECOVILLAGE is committed to regenerate land and all ecosystems while acknowledging and respecting Indigenous knowledge that ensures thriving for all beings; we call this Permaculture.

OUR ECOVILLAGE is dedicated to continuously educating ourselves and our communities about the history and peoples of OUR bio-region, to assist in decolonization and re-villaging as a path towards peacemaking, from local to global.