how to volunteer, visit or apply for a paid position at paul's project

It's lovely to hear about folks skills and excitement to come help (either as a volunteer, possible resident or paid position)...and...we're looking for a good fit and want to make sure it makes sense on all sides.

Here's the main points to make this work:

podcasts - Paul really, really wants folks to have listened to most or all of these - though no longer a requirement at this time

trial periods - currently, the best options for visiting/trying things out are the super weeks

travel costs - travel here at your expense/risk! we are not providing travel costs in advance in any form

parachute package - money or resources to exit, because stuff happens

no tobacco, no drugs - as explained and discussed ad nauseum in this thread

food and drink - we eat meat (more described in the link at left) though a vegetarian or vegan might still be comfortable here

other - kids, dogs can be issues

If you're still in after reading through the links with all these bullet points, contact me, Jocelyn, either via private message, or e-mail to see what the current options are.

Here's how to get the podcasts: if you use iTunes, or another podcast app, search for Homesteading and Permaculture by Paul Wheaton, and your app will take care of it for you. Though I think only the most recent podcasts are available through some of those apps.

Alternatively, there are two places to download the podcasts:
http://www.scubbly.com/store/permaculture/ - Paul's scubbly store where big gobs of podcasts can be downloaded for an average of $4.50 each
http://www.richsoil.com/permaculture/ - Paul's podcast blog.

For podcast summaries and discussions, see: https://permies.com/forums/f-88/podcast.

We are temporarily loosening the podcasts thing per Paul's post in the I want more people thread:

paul wheaton wrote:I feel like right now is a really good time for people to come who have not listened to podcasts. I would like to think that in the future our position will be "we have lots of people here now, so we are freaky picky."

People that we are now seeking:

1) pod people. They have listened to at least half the podcasts so they know what is going on and why. Having these people here will do a lot to help with conveying knowledge to others.

2) minions. People that are not very familiar with what we are doing here, but are willing to throw their shoulder in and learn while they are here.


People that we don't want:

A) people that will tell us that we are doing it wrong when they have not read the articles or forums; have not listened to the podcasts; have not watched the videos. These people impede the whole group.

B) people that want a tour

C) people that want to be here for just one day (the costs of ramp time and feeding you do not outweigh your contribution)

------

The longer a person is willing to be here the better. Because then those people can be relied on more and more. And if we have people coming for just a weekend, a long term person can help them personally come up to speed.

I think the food here has been quite good and all organic. Now that we have a kitchen commander, I think the quality will be even higher.

For some of the pod people that have put a lot of time in here and really moved us forward, we have given deep discounts to workshops. I could see doing something similar for the right kinds of minions.

I have mentioned it in this forum in the past: if somebody comes here and puts in a lot for 18 months, I can see expressing my gratitude with something that smells like a deep roots package.

As mentioned in a previous podcast: I think that there will be a lot of business opportunities evolving here as the months pass. And there will be opportunities for real work, or for real businesses.

We also like to ask/clarify:

Are you interested in volunteering, a paid position, a simple rental, or a long term residence with or without a paid position?

What and how much are you bringing with you?

Who are you bringing with you?

What critters, if any, are you bringing with you?

Jocelyn,

It might be of awesome value..to also outline for those of us that live closer.. like a drivable distance but want to come out and help, as needed, but don't want to get in the way..either.

What to do, what to bring..if we need to stay over night, how much time ahead of time should we communicate our availability?

I would imagine also that there are students at the UofM in Environmental studies and also hang out at The Flats for instance that would appreciate some hands on work, and small pay in exchange..
so once they fit in to your scheme of things..they would be in the same category as Myself..close..but not able to live on the land..YET..

Rebecca Holman wrote:Jocelyn,

It might be of awesome value..to also outline for those of us that live closer.. like a drivable distance but want to come out and help, as needed, but don't want to get in the way..either.

What to do, what to bring..if we need to stay over night, how much time ahead of time should we communicate our availability?

I would imagine also that there are students at the UofM in Environmental studies and also hang out at The Flats for instance that would appreciate some hands on work, and small pay in exchange..
so once they fit in to your scheme of things..they would be in the same category as Myself..close..but not able to live on the land..YET..

Good point. Paul's recent e-mail brought up some similar ideas and questions about how to help without staying a whole week. We're looking at scheduling work party days in the future for which this could be a fit. Right now, unfortunately, it's just too time consuming to have people out for just a day or less.

Greetings, Is the position of Polyculture poobah still open? If so, where do I send a resume?

Melissa Sharapova wrote:Greetings, Is the position of Polyculture poobah still open? If so, where do I send a resume?

Hi Melissa, I see your private message - thank you - and will reply to you by e-mail.

To clarify for all who might be following, we only have a few paid positions at the moment:

1 kitchen/house commander - which has been filled

2-3 minions for helping with construction/infrastructure projects - these might be filled, there is a bit of flux still happening here

.
Other paid positions are generally possible, though mostly as a trade for room and board plus a low-to-no stipend for now, and start with a two-week trial period with only room and board at first.

Volunteers are welcome during super weeks, and (to be announced) work parties.

Potential residents who can generate their own income are welcome to discuss options or trial periods as well.

(Edited to clarify that other positions might still be possible this early on.)

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Melissa Sharapova wrote:Greetings, Is the position of Polyculture poobah still open? If so, where do I send a resume?

Hi Melissa, I see your private message - thank you - and will reply to you by e-mail.

To clarify for all who might be following, we only have a few paid positions at the moment:

1 kitchen/house commander - which has been filled

2-3 minions for helping with construction/infrastructure projects - these might be filled, there is a bit of flux still happening here

.
Other paid positions are generally possible, though mostly as a trade for room and board plus a low-to-no stipend for now, and start with a two-week trial period with only room and board at first.

Volunteers are welcome during super weeks, and (to be announced) work parties.

Potential residents who can generate their own income are welcome to discuss options or trial periods as well.

(Edited to clarify that other positions might still be possible this early on.)

Any updates on whether the minion positions have been filled yet?

Weston Ginther wrote:Any updates on whether the minion positions have been filled yet?

We have 3 minions here right now, with possibly two more arriving over the weekend. Some of this work has been so late in the game (in addition to late worker arrivals and some normal turnover) that we are packing in as much as we can in the weeks we have, so Tim and Paul might be open to hiring more.

Weather is holding for now <knocks on wood>, though I hear it's getting cold overnight in the tents and tipis.

We don't yet have winter housing for all these folks, which is another weather and time based limit.

Jocelyn Campbell wrote: Weather is holding for now <knocks on wood>, though I hear it's getting cold overnight in the tents and tipis.

We don't yet have winter housing for all these folks, which is another weather and time based limit.

So it's my guess that once the snow flies and winter shows up, there won't be much extra work for the minions or other volunteers? Or do you guys have indoor projects that will need help and assistance?

We do have indoor winter projects, though I can't quite predict how it will go.

We're winding things up for season, and have had some awesome minions and volunteers out here. I (we!) so appreciate these cool people and are humbled by their hard work and good spirits.

After the workshops (ending 10/27), we'll be pulling back and no longer paying for the general labor/minion help this year.

For volunteers or other visitors, we are limited by housing and food. In fact, for the workshops, we'll be housing some folks (those without adequate cold weather camping gear) in the garage office and shop/auditorium since our VIP and bunk bedrooms are booked.

It's worth noting that for those with their own income sources, or better yet their own housing (!), we are still open to more community members or deep roots folks.

This winter will be full of plans for 2014. Including work party days (probably the best or only tour opportunities), more workshops, as well as food systems and other permaculture designs we haven't been able to tackle just yet.

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
After the workshops (ending 10/27), we'll be pulling back and no longer paying for the general labor/minion help this year.

This has since changed. We DO want to hire help over the winter. See:
--paid positions thread (note there are two pages) for general job ideas/descriptions and updates
--personal assistant/office minion
--kitchen and house commander.

Note that permies users can click "watch topic" to get emails when new posts are added to a thread even if they haven't posted to that thread.

For other updates, make sure you're signed up for paul's daily-ish email.

Edit: a lot of this thread is now out of date. Any visitors, even if they want to volunteer for a day, or have a tour (not necessarily stay and work for a while), should follow the gapper sign up stuff.