WORK GUIDELINES
Here at Kolealea we are a family of hard workers. Our family members include trees, rocks, land, animals, all of Nature’s spirits. We honor each greatly, and equally. We offer the same to you, and expect the same from you.
We also expect openness, responsibility, and integrity: good communication skills, openness to improve, responsible behavior, consideration for others, respect and care for Self, and honesty.
To see our goals and aspirations, where we have been and where we are headed, we invite you to visit our websites:
In the course of development and maintenance of this property, the work performed will encompass land preparation for planting, the actual planting, maintenance of existing plants, maintenance of the trails/pathways, cleaning of the rooms in the buildings either as general maintenance cleaning or for preparation of the Center for other groups to occupy, maintenance of the buildings, repairs, and will include the use of tools such as picks, shovels, trowels, weed wackers, lawn mowers and machetes for those so inclined, as well as hammers, paint brushes, etc. You will have a person in charge to work with each day. Before you come we will explain this work so that you do not come for work that you are unsuited for. Your hours are sometimes flexible, however, we do expect the weekly hours to be completed each week and some jobs might need daily attention. We regularly work in teams and designate the different tasks and projects in our weekly group meetings. We are always open to input, and open for improvement. Please share openly with us, and if you have a special skill that you would like to contribute, we are open to explore it with you.
Work hours are typically from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with a ½ hour lunch – an 8-hour day. Exceptions will be when we occasionally travel to a remote location to work – we may depart the parking area at 7 a.m. This commute time is not included in the work hours. The added benefit will be the education and experience of working a different farming/gardening situation than here at Kolealea, making your over-all experience here much more comprehensive.
Unless otherwise specifically scheduled, there is no work on the weekends. The land rests.
Items your hours count towards are:
- Work performed that has been authorized.
- Work performed in the order/priority it has been requested.
- Work performed in the manner requested.
- Time spent driving to shop or pick up.
Items that would be appropriate to have time deducted for:
- Extra time attempting to contact you while on the job by whichever method has been agreed upon to use (for example: walkie-talkie, cell phone).
- Work done not specifically asked for.
- Work done in a manner other than requested or agreed upon, for example not using a correct tool which takes more time or damages the tool, not using protective accessory or clothing.
- Tools or equipment damaged or broken due to misuse.
- Time taken to correct a costly mistake.
- Work not performed or time not working (sometimes we stop to chat and lose track of time!)
Resident workers and others working on a group project:
- Please let your supervisor know when you are taking an unscheduled break. In this way we can avoid spending time trying to contact you, or expecting you to be available at a moment we need someone.
- You are responsible for picking up an assigned, fully charged, walkie-talkie in the morning at the start of your work day, and leaving it to charge at the end of your work day.
You will have the opportunity to attend our workshops on organic growing and sustainable living. The time for you to attend can typically be arranged and should be coordinated with a manager. The time spent on workshops will not count towards your work hours and will need to be made up either in advance of the workshop, or afterwards.
Thank you so very much for all of the regard you put into your work and towards each other!!
Sylvia, Su, and Rainbow