Resident Programs
Lost Valley Center
Resident Programs
The purpose of our resident programs is simple: to create a better community, and to learn in the process. By lending a hand in community tasks, we don’t only improve our communal spaces. We are given the opportunity to grow – to retrain our individualistic minds and open ourselves to insight into the ways that we depend upon one another. As we resolve to hold our individual responsibilities in the context of the whole, we can begin to see the threads that weave us all together. The tapestry created is community, family, tribe. It is our birthright, our home.
While the programs are designed to get necessary tasks accomplished, and are therefore structured and defined, we are encouraged to see our assigned roles as an opportunity for a creative and personalized response. We are encouraged to be flexible, humble, and given to the spirit of service. If we can muster the care for our little piece of the puzzle, we may begin to see every corner of our space lit up with the unique offerings of each individual.
In these ways, resident programs are offered as a practice, a discipline. They keep us honest to our intentions for coming to community. And if we commit ourselves to them in a sincere way, we open ourselves more and more to that experience of connection and belonging that nourishes us. Then, whether we are best friends or passing acquaintances, it matters less, because we know in each moment we are co-creating our lives together in this community.
This is the heart of these programs, why they may even be called such. This is the why we encourage everyone to participate, but allow everyone to choose. If you enter into the following agreements, you understand their intention and agree to their structure, and reap their benefits.
Cleansing and Creation (CnC) Program
This program is focused upon the maintenance and improvement of the whole site, of which community residents have access to. It includes task such as maintaining forest-trail access, upkeep on bathrooms, the lodge, and other community spaces. It is called both cleansing and creation, for in truth, both are related. In cleansing a space, we open it up to new creative possibilities. Even when cleaning a bathroom, you may also be moved to create an altar or paint a sign, or simply suggest new systems for the space.
You may choose to apply to be a part of this program, half or full-time, OR may choose to pay $50-100/month for a Site Fee, for access to the site’s resources (see the Site Fee Benefits document below). If you choose to apply, please let the Property Manager know upon turning in your rental application. A sample of the Resident Programs applications are at the bottom of this page.
***NOTE: for both resident programs, there may be up to a two-week window (during the application period) before you get the financial discount from the program. (This means you will have to pay in full, initially.)
Site-Fee Benefits
(valued at $100/mo.)
Access to 88 acres of land and educational facilities, including, but not limited to:
- access to the meadow, forest trails, ponds and creek for walking, biking, or swimming.
- access to the Guest House, Guest House Kitchen and the Outdoor Kitchen
- mail service
- access to the shop tools and workspace during specified shop hours and with necessary supervision or training (if tools are not signed-out and returned, privileges will be revoked).
- access to land and garden tools (if tools are not signed-out and returned, privileges will be revoked).
- access to natural materials on the land, including plants and trees for medicine or other projects (ONLY with specific permission from Land Steward)
- access to the community Hot Tub and Sauna (with specific training)
- access to the community spaces of the lodge and lodge kitchen to host or participate in community events
- access to classrooms, offices, and eco-resource room to host or participate in community events
.- access to the Sacred yurt (the firewood to heat it).
- access to and discount for dormitory space for personal guests (upon nightly payment)
- access to campus-wide WiFi internet (upon monthly payment).
- access to on-site meal plan options
- trash removal and recycling
- on-site parking and storage
- ability to lease on-site spaces for micro-business development
- ability to rent out certain facilities for free to run workshops and courses (final availability determined by the Events Dept., limited to 8 hours per month)
If community rules pertaining to any of the above spaces are not followed, uses may be revoked by Community Council or Site Manager. Many of the above spaces have limited or no availability when in use by the Event Dept or Permaculture Systems Dept.
Community Cooking Program
The Community Cooking program is opportunity to not just pay for meal-service, but to participate in creating those nourishing meals for the members of your Lost Valley community and its varied guests. It includes tasks such as meal planning, meal prep, cooking, serving, and cleaning. While there are some basic guidelines to follow, this program allows a lot of flexibility and a lot of room to learn about nutrition, meal preparation techniques, cooking methods, and more. Participation in the program saves $50-$100 on the meal plan ($300/mo. Full meal plan — $175/mo. Half meal plan – M, W, F). To apply, please let the Property Manager know upon turning in your rental application. Thank you!
***NOTE: for both programs, there may be up to a two-week window (during the application period) before you get the financial discount from the program. (This means you will have to pay in full, initially.)
____________________________________________________________________
SAMPLE Application for the Cleansing and Creation Program:
I, __________________________, am applying for a discount on my Site-Use Fee through the Cleansing and Creation Program. I have read and acknowledged the benefits of using LVC’s site (“Site Fee Benefits” Document – at the bottom), and understand that my participation in Cleansing and Creation Program intends to maintain and improve these same functions for community use. (Initial here ____)
Mark the discount applied for:
_____$100 FULL Site-Fee discount (participating in full program hours – 8/mo.)
_____$50 HALF Site-Fee discount (participating in half of total program hours – 4/mo.)
I acknowledge that there are a limited number of spaces available in the Cleansing and Creation Program, and that LVC staff and renters are prioritized ahead of LVC interns and volunteers, as they tend to be less able to be active and engaged in the LVC community experience. However, the LVC Cleansing and Creation Program Coordinator reserves the right to decline the application of ANY individual, or end their participation in the Cleansing and Creation Program at ANY time (Initial here ____).
If accepted into the program, in accordance with the Community Living Agreements (CLA) at Lost Valley Center, I agree to work any and all assigned work through the Community Cleansing and Creation (CnC) program as part of my service to my community. I understand that I am empowered to negotiate changes in assignments with the CnC Coordinator in advance of the month. I agree to report all worked hours and consecutive weeks gone from the campus honestly in the CnC binder in the lodge and/or online at http://tinyurl.com/a5d4xro via the tracking tab of the document entitled “Cleansing and Creation Job Chart.” (Initial here ____)
I understand that if I do not report my participated hours by midnight of the last day of the month, I agree to pay a fine of $10 for every hour not participated or reported. Any outstanding fine from a previous month’s CnC program is due, at the latest, by 5:00 pm on the 5th day of the following month (late payments are subject to a $10 late fee). If payment has not been received by this point, LVC Community Council (elected by Community Petal) will become involved as the enforcement body, and will meet with me about how I can settle the debt. If the debt is not settled within a month (the 5th of the following month), Community Council will recommend to the Community Petal a solution, which in the worst case, may be that I leave the community. (Initial here ____).
I also understand that if I want to make changes to a policy involving the CnC program, I need to present a digital proposal to the facilitator of the community petal meeting 48 hours in advance of the next meeting.
Write a few sentences below about why you are applying for this program:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________ Date:________________
Name of Resident printed
______________________
Signature
————————————Office Use Only———————————
Upon acceptance into the Cleansing and Creation program:
___________________________________
Cleansing and Creation Program Coordinator
OR
___________________________________
Site Manager
____________________________________________________________
SAMPLE Application for Community Cooking Program:
I, _______________________, am applying for a discount credit for my LVC meal plan through the Community Cooking Program. I understand my participation in this program allows me access to equipment and resources within Lost Valley’s commercial camp-kitchen. I agree to help maintain these facilities to Oregon Health Department standards, obtain my Oregon Food Handlers card and file it with the Kitchen Managers, and go through a full orientation before participating in the program (initial here)____. (The URL to obtain a Oregon Food Handlers Card test is www.orfoodhandlers.com and the process costs ten dollars.)
Mark which discount you are applying for:
___ $100 discount (one cook AND clean shift per week)
___ $50 discount (one cook OR clean shift per week, if available)
I acknowledge that there are a limited number of spaces available in the Community Cooking Program, and that LVC interns and volunteers are prioritized ahead of LVC staff and renters. However, the LVC kitchen staff reserves the right to accept or decline the application of ANY individual, or end their participation in the Community Cooking program at ANY point, with a one week in advance verbal notice. (initial here)____.
If accepted into the program, in accordance with the Community Living Agreements (CLA) at Lost Valley Center, for each Kitchen Shift I will follow the posted guidelines on the walk-in fridge: including the Sanitary Guidelines, the Kitchen Shift Guidelines, and the Allergies. I will work up to 5 hours for a “cook AND clean” shift, or up to 2.5 hours for a “cook OR clean” shift OR I will successfully complete the Kitchen Shift tasks thoroughly, including up-front meal planning efforts, serving a complete nutritional meal, and after-meal deep cleaning tasks that are often forgotten. I understand that a cook shift starts 2.5 hours before a meal is to be served, unless otherwise noted by the Kitchen Staff, and all meals need to be served on time (initial here)____.
If I do not complete my Kitchen Shift to the standards posted, I understand that I will first be issued a warning. On the second account and beyond, I may be issued a fine of $10 for an infraction. in the amount of ten dollars for every hour of an undone shift, assessed by the Kitchen Manager). Any outstanding fine from a previous month’s Community Cooking program is due, at the latest, by 5:00 pm on the 5th day of the following month (late payments are subject to a $10 late fee). If payment has not been received by this point, LVC Community Council (elected by Community Petal) will become involved as the enforcement body, and will meet with me about how I can settle the debt. If the debt is not settled within a month (the 5th of the following month), Community Council may recommend to the Community Petal a solution, which in the worst case may be to leave the community. In the event that Community Petal or Council is dissolved or inactive, the decision will be that of the Executive Director. (Initial here ____).
Thank you for participating and following the rules to create a healthy and functional kitchen that makes great local, organic food! This is one important way that we serve one another and recognize our part in the whole of this community.
§ Please write a few sentences about why you are applying for this program:
§ List your request for kitchen shift days (NOTE: there is no guarantee you’ll receive the shift that you ask for):
§ Describe any previous experience you have participating in a community kitchen (i.e. are you familiar with kitchens of this size and type? Have you had experience cooking for more than one dozen people?):
Do you have any allergies, dietary preferences, etc. that would be helpful for the
Kitchen Staff to know? (Extreme dietary restrictions may warrant an exemption).
Applicant Signature: Date:
___________________________________ ____________________
Upon acceptance into the program, completion of the orientation, and reception of the Oregon Food Handlers card, Kitchen staff sign here: Date:
_________________________________ __________________ __
