IMPORTANT UPDATE NOTICE:
Our community ideas have matured over the time we've been here, and we have recently switched to a simpler model in which you simply buy land from us and build your home, see EcoVenusCountryClub for details —- Being part of an intentional community is about what you share which does not necessarily has to include land and housing. Below we have left the previous text for this page, so you have a historical perspective of what we at one time had in mind. Since the model below did not work for us, we changed it to the present one, where you simply own property and choose to share as much or as little as you like.
We still like to know more about you, therefore please do fill the questionnaire at the bottom of this page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREVIOUS COMMUNITY RULES
1. Please, No drop-in visits! In respect for all our individual daily schedules, all visits must prearranged before hand.
2. We ask that all visitors visit the nearby town of Vilcabamba and the city of Loja for a few days prior to coming to stay with us. This will help you get acclimated to the local culture here.
3. Prospective members must supply a background history/police record and mini biography to the community, include birthplace, along with a doctor’s health history and negative HIV test result. Most of these are requirements of the Ecuadorian government for the permanent resident visa.
4. Illegal drugs, guns, weapons or violence in any form will NOT be tolerated.
5. Visitors are not permitted to bring pets.
6. No smoking in common areas. Our way of life is founded on health and well-being, so we prefer non-smokers. If you have a habit of smoking cigarettes, please refrain from your habit while visiting our property.
7. The initial visitor period (in order to be considered for membership) is a one-month stay at a cost of $250 per adult, $50 for children under 12, payable in advance or upon arrival. This includes, 3 mostly vegetarian meals and all that we grow in our farm, soap, shampoo, conditioner, hot showers, use of automatic washer, kitchen, library and sleeping quarters; This does NOT include: alcoholic beverages, instant coffee, soft-drinks, chocolate, yogurt, white sugar, honey, condoms, tampons, toothpaste, and other toiletries such as nail clippers, deodorant, clothing, medication and vitamins of any kind, except in an emergency and use of clothes drier. You may see some of these items; we ask that you refrain from using them if you did not buy them yourself.
8. We have two choices – join in the work or pay your way. Prospective members must join in the work of the community or pay an additional fee. 40 hours per week (or pays an additional $300 per month in advance upon arrival). Be it building, gardening, cooking, cleaning or whatever area that best fits your skill set, you choose; it is entirely your own initiative. You can even choose to work a few hours and pay for the rest, your choice. For example work 20 hours and pay $150.
9. Visitors granted provisional membership must return to the community for a period of five-months within a year of their acceptance and invitation notification. The cost of $120 per adult per month, $40 for children (under 12), payable in advance at the beginning of their month, in order to be considered for full membership.
10. Full members will share income / revenue producing activities, within the community. At the time, the only producing activities are: farming and animal raising.
Present members are involved in two separate entities that have the potential to produce a source of revenue and income, one is an ecological foundation and the other is a company, preference for jobs will be giving to members of the community. We are still searching and are interested in creating a cottage industry for our community. All though the possibility are limitless and promising, our workforce and finances are limited at the present time, until we gain a substantial membership.
11. Full members will share the expenses of the community. At this time overhead expenses are electricity, Internet, telephone, radio communication, maid, agriculture workers, water and other miscellaneous expenses such as soaps, food that we do not grow, fuel, limited life items, repairs, etc. Medical, clothing and personal items are being covered individually, in other words it is not the responsibility of the communality to cover for these expenses, at this time
12. High speed Internet access when computers are available or bring your own computer and connect to our LAN for unlimited use. Cost $2 per hour.
13. At the end of the one-month visitor period; should a visitor decide they would like to initiate their 5 month provisional membership, they must leave the community for a minimum of two days and a maximum of 1 year while the community makes a decision whether to invite them back or not. Visitors are responsible for their own accommodation and transportation during this time. The nearby village of Vilcabamba would be a convenient and beautiful location to spend this time.
14. At the end of the provisional membership the joining fee is $15,000 per adult person or couple, $7,500 for children above age 12; the fee is negotiable. The joining fee includes use of all tools we have for construction & carpentry of the new home, use of main community building public areas, including kitchen and appliances, solar heated water, showers, toilets, storage area, computers, unlimited LAN internet access, radio communication, movies, library, power to vote on our future by consensus, regulations, rules, etc; use of vehicles for community errands and land area to build one house; choice of location and size will be decided by FULL members upon a proposal provide by the prospecting member prior to payment of the fee. Electricity, potable water and sewer may be provided, depending on house location, for a small additional cost. The idea, though, is for you to use the community center for kitchen, showers, toilet, etc. If house outside shell is not completed within 12 month, land and house revert to the community; in other words, we do not want partly started construction and material lying around for more than 12 months, you have 12 months to do all the outside building structure or lose ownership; do not start it, if you are not going to finish it. Homes may be individually owned, but may not be sold nor lived in by non-members. Do expect help and participation from other members with the design and construction, within their field of knowledge.
15. Visiting family and friends of prospective members are to abide by the same rules as guests and those of the community.
16. Bring with you bed sheets, pillow, towel, boots, sandals, flashlight, batteries, rain gear, mosquito repellent, medicines, vitamins/supplements and any other personal item you think you will need. If you do not want to travel with these items you can buy them locally.
17. Always pick up after yourself!!!
18. Maid service is not included; we may hire one at your request and at your own expense. Approximate cost: $300 per month, if maid is to be fed and/or stay at the community, you must pay an additional $6 per day to cover feeding, showers and common facilities, except for sleeping quarters.
19. Acceptance of our lifestyle and customs.
20. Pitch in to help where and when needed, on your own.
21. Pick up in the nearby village can be arranged, when vehicle is available.
22. Please Read all the FAQ’s
Questions:
Please send us a detailed bio/CV and a picture if you have one available, make sure you include answer to all the following question and email them to us. Your answers will help us all know who you are in more details and what your needs, requirements, goals, etc. are. After we receive them we will give you access to the introductions forum http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uevn-introductions/ there are 120 messages in this forum from people as yourself interested in joining us. Your introduction will only go to those that have sent theirs, not to the discussion nor announcement forum.
1. How did you find out about us?
2. Have you ever lived in an intentional community? and if so, where and how long?
3. Have you ever visited and intentional community?
4. When do you want to visit us? for how long? And when do you plan to join us?
5. What are your finances, attitude, desires, motives and short/long-term goals for joining our community?
6. Number of adults, male/female, ages (how old are you)?
7. Number of children, boy/girl, ages?
8. Do you plan on having children(es)? and if so, how many?
9. Do you speak Spanish, and/or any other languages, how fluent?
10. Health status?
11. Eating preferences?
12. Have you ever been to Ecuador? Or any other Latin country?
13. What is your highest completed level of formal education?
14. Skills and experience?
15. Areas you would like to work in? or do you prefer to pay vs. join on the work?
16. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or crime? If yes, describe.
17. Did you read all our web site and its links? FAQ? Visiting Rules? If not please do so.
18. What are your spiritual aspiration, interest and education?
19. Does nudity, naturism or alternative lifestyles bother you?
20. What are your views on the use of drugs?
21. Comments, suggestions, ideas or questions that you may have?
22. Did you join/subscribe to our 6 forums? If not, please do so. Click here to join.