Ecologies of Participation
Observing the last 5 years of work/play (what we call “plerk”) at TLC Farm, we've observed that there's quite a variety of different ways that people participate. All of these are just rough outlines, and many people fit between or beyond these categories (of course).
Some people are generalists: they're excited about many different kinds of plerk, and will respond to a wide variety of requests for help. Eg. cobbing a wall, canvassing a neighborhood, coming to a meeting, answering emails. This is beneficial for its flexibility & openness!
Others are specialists: there's a specific kind of engagement that they really dig, and that's mostly all they'll do: bookkeeping, teaching, farm hosting, etc. This is beneficial for its focus & expertise!
Some people are rooted: they have long-term, regular commitment to this place and project. Whether a couple times a year or almost every day, their participation is consistent. This is beneficial for its reliability & history!
Others are nomadic: they may be really focused on TLC Farm for a while, and then be off to another project across town or across the world. This is beneficial for its intensity & cross-pollination!
Some people are solitary: they really prefer to do something alone, if possible. This is great for minimizing the coordination of schedules etc. to get things accomplished.
Others love guilds: they do best when surrounded by a tight, highly functional groups with complementing abilities. This is awesome for ongoing working groups or projects where a variety of perspectives are key.
And others are communal: they love being part of a big community event with the energy of lots of different people. This is perfect for getting a lot done quickly.
Some people are looking to be (learners or) mitochondria: they'd like the steps in accomplishing something to be laid out for them. This is great when someone else has a clear idea of what needs to be done and just needs more hands.
Others feel called to be (coordinators or) enzymes: they're motivated to help bring all the different pieces and people together, co-create goals, support folk in reaching them, etc. This is valuable when folk want to just get out and do things but lack a structure for it.
Still others want to be (advisors or) neurotransmitters: they're best suited to offering verbal or written perspective on how to improve decisions or actions, rather than implementing things themselves. This is great for getting outside perspective & expert wisdom from someone with lots of experience, etc.
There are obviously a lot more categories! Still, having some idea where you see yourself in these terms will help us to know how best to support you in engaging in the way you want to here.
Start your own project
Anyone can propose a project, and it can take any form as long it meets the following criteria:
- It furthers the mission of TLC Farm.
- It has a co-creative accountability structure – that is, there's an agreed process (no matter how intuitive and dynamic) for taking next steps, evaluating outcomes, and supporting follow-through. This includes an oversight relationship with one or more mentors and/or WGs.
- Its scope, resource budget, and plans are proposed to and approved by the relevant WGs.
This is how the living, breathing work of TLC Farm happens, and our focus is on figuring more and better ways to help different kinds of people become more effective, more healed, and more aligned with spirit and the earth.
Once you've got an idea and (some of) the people to make it happen, contact participate@tryonfarm.org to take the next step by making a proposal at a working group or spokescouncil meeting!
Participate!
TLC Farm: Evolving Earth's Transition Teams
(Note: Everyone interested in coming to meetings, hearing about volunteer needs, and being involved in our process should join our relatively low-traffic HardCore email list.) The new world being born lives and works and plays differently. It's co-created, with many kinds of people collaborating in diverse ways. We get things done -- feed and heal and design and learn -- with much less overhead, stress, and control. New ideas, new projects, new patterns, new teams: all actively supported by an ecosystem of change. With luck and dedication and inspiration, the new world will grow fast enough to absorb much of the collapse of the old. Portland's interweaving movements are a prime opportunity to develop a city-scale working example of this new political economic culture. TLC Farm is a greenhouse for incubating the people, relationships, skills and teams we need. There are many ways you can participate. Here are a few examples:
- Start doing specific tasks that others have identified: plant perennials, stamp envelopes, put up flyers;
- Take on a role with some amount of training and commitment required: coordinate land materials, host tours, update the web site;
- Get together with like-minded folk and coordinate a major project -- whether a regular happening or a new idea you develop yourselves;
- Become a core organizer participating in our decision-making working groups and spokescouncil.
Excited? Here's the next step: think about what you'd like to do and how you'd like to do it with us. These links may help: example Roles and Tasks; and an outline of our ecology of participation. Then, contact us by emailing participate@tryonfarm.org (or, second best, call 503-245-3847). We'll set up a time with one of our participation coordinators to have a discussion about how your skills, background, interests, and needs match with ours. Let's get together!
Contact us
We are a volunteer-run organization, so we aren't able to staff an office fulltime. However, we do encourage you to get in touch with questions, ideas, scheduling inquiries, and offers of help!
Email is probably the most effective and direct way to get in touch.
- edu@tryonfarm.org : inquire about scheduling one of our Hands On Sustainability youth field trips
- events@tryonfarm.org : schedule your own group's event at TLC Farm (meetings, parties, workshops, etc.)
- engagement@tryonfarm.org : inquire about participating in the ongoing work of the organization
- outreach@tryonfarm.org : request interviews, tabling, newsletter entries, etc.
- finance@tryonfarm.org : questions about billing, accounting records, etc.
- farm@tryonfarm.org : default mailbox for miscellaneous needs
-
Isobel@WillowCreekForestSchool.org : for questions about our Nature Immersion Preschool
(Note that we don't coordinate residential stays on the land: for that, please contact Cedar Moon.)
Phone
Our office phone is 503-245-3847. You will likely reach our voicemail system, which will email your message to the appropriate person or group.
Fax
Our new fax number is (503) 342-2618. These are reviewed over email on a similar schedule with our voicemails.
Address
Tryon Life Community Farm 11640 SW Boones Ferry Road Portland, OR 97219 Also see directions.
TLC Farm Seeking Experienced Canvassers
(Please send cover letter and resume to apply@tryonfarm.org by Tue, Nov 17, 2009. Be sure to include 2-3 relevant references. Later applications may be considered, depending on our need.)
TLC Farm is a 501(c)3 non-profit sustainability education center, occupying 7 acres of land nestled into Tryon Creek State Park in SW Portland. We are seeking experienced canvassers to deepen our relationships with existing and potential allies and donors, primarily in our extended neighborhood. Work will begin as soon as possible, and will run through the holiday season.
Work conditions:
* $8.40/hour basepay as employee
* 40% commission on donations in excess of quota ($100 per night)
* 5 hours per day: 4:30-9:30pm
* At least 2 days per week; preferably more
* Enter own data
Successful candidates will:
* Have proven experience in related work
* Be self-managed, creative, invested, and committed to TLC Farm's values and goals
* Be skilled at collaborating with team to design turfs, improve raps & materials, and improve outcomes
* Prioritize long-term relationships with neighbors over short-term income
We strongly prefer candidates with:
* Knowledge of TLC Farm's programs and history (or, secondarily, similar projects)
* Experience and/or roots in Burlingame/Lake Oswego area (or, secondarily, similar demographic)
* Demonstrated commitment to and experience with permaculture design, sustainable living, organic agriculture, youth education, natural building, and other TLC Farm program areas
For more information about TLC Farm, see www.tryonfarm.org.
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give!guide.2009.cover
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6th Annual Holiday Open House: December 13, 2-5pm
Thanks to all who came for a wonderful afternoon!
Please join us for TLC Farm's 6th Annual Holiday Open House!
Share wine, cheese & other goodies with the TLC Farm community, listen to good music, meet lively folk, and take a tour of TLC Farm including our new greenhouse and beautiful barn loft office.
This is one of our favorite gatherings of the year, and our longest running public event. Even last year, in a downpour of snow, hardy neighbors trekked to the farm and kept up the open house tradition!
The open house is free, and we encourage you to bring your holiday donation, or donate online through the Give!Guide at the party. We hope to see you there!
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Give to TLC Farm through the Give!Guide and receive goodies!
November 11 to December 31 . . .
This holiday Season, give to TLC Farm through Willamette Week's Give Guide and receive goodies in return - beyond the joy of supporting a fantastic community sustainability education center!
In the box at right, see live updates on how much donors are giving TLC Farm, compared to other Environmental organizations in the Give!Guide. The higher we are, the more likely new donors are to give to us!
Now, unlike most other Give!Guide organization, along with all the incentives provided by Willamette Week (listed below) TLC Farm is adding some incentives of our own:
- Every donor who contributes $25 or more will receive
- a $5 off coupon for People's Food Coop's year-round Farmer's Market (held every Wednesday at the store on SE 21st & Tibetts),
- and a buy one, get one free coupon for Pappacino's Coffeehouse on SW Terwilliger.
- Donors who contribute $50 or more will also receive a coupon good for half-off your visit to Portland Acupuncture.
- All donors will be placed in a raffle for a party for 20 at TLC Farm, complete with excellent pizza from our earthen oven.
Sound good? Donate now to TLC Farm at http://www.wweek.com/giveguide/
If you need more to tempt you, here are the goodies provided by Willamette Week to sweeten the deal:
If you give $25 or more to any of the nonprofits listed in this Guide, you’ll get an email containing an electronic coupon. Print it out to receive the benefits listed below. $50 or more to a single nonprofit will get you, in addition to the electronic coupon, an envelope containing additional goodies. Next, if you’re 35 or under and give $100 or more, you’re automatically entered in a drawing for all manner of goodies — including a cheque from Willamette Week for $1,000. Gifts grow as you give more - see below!
Finally, every one of you who gives the $10 minimum will have a chance to have WW’s Publisher cook you and a guest dinner at his house early next year.
There are incentives for the nonprofits, too. Whichever one attracts the greatest number of contributions from donors under the age of 36 will get a $1,000 cheque from Willamette Week, along with bragging rights. The same holds for the nonprofit that raises the most money through this year’s Give!Guide.
The $25 coupon:
Make sure to print it out and hang onto it in order to be eligible for the following:
- Free admission to a special Give!Guide show at Berbati’s Pan on January 15, 2010. (Value: $10)
- Free Powell’s pint glass to anyone who makes a purchase at Portland’s favorite bookseller between January 1 and January 24, 2010. (Value: TK)
- $10 off any purchase of $50 or more at Community Warehouse’s Estate Store.
- 15% off swimwear at Popina Swim, Portland’s Bathing Suit Boutique.
- 2009 MusicfestNW compilation CD (while supplies last).
For donors of $50 - $499:
All of the above, plus:
- TriMet bus ticket (value: $2)
- Coupon good for a medium beverage at Peet’s Coffee & Tea to the first 1,000 donors in this category (value: $4)
- Track back card from Kiehl’s good for a deluxe sample (value: $2.50)
- Free Reed’s elixir at New Seasons Market (with purchase of any Reed’s fourpack).
- Free game of bowling at Grand Central Bowl. (Value: $5)
For donors of $500 - $999:
- Home delivery of a New Seasons Market recycled grocery bag containing a bottle of fine wine from E&R Wine Shop, a package of Stash Tea, and en envelope of coupons.
For donors of $1,000 - $2,499:
- The same grocery bag and contents above, plus one pound of Peet’s coffee, a 22 oz. bottle of Ninkasi beer. All delivered to your home.
For donors of $2,500:
- Add a bottle of sparkling wine to that shopping bag and visit with one of WW’s owners on your doorstep when either Mark Zusman or Richard Meeker makes your personal delivery.
For donors under age 36 who’ve given $100 or more
You’ll be entered in a drawing for the following:
- 20 Bishops Barbershop haircuts (one per winner) bishopsbs.com
- Free Space-themed wedding at the newly remodeled Space Room for 50 people. (Value: $5,000) spaceroomlounge.com
- 20 Nightgowns from Haralee (one per winner; value: $50 each) haralee.com
- 100 bottles of Jungle Balm (one per winner; value: $15) junglebalm.com
- 10 Naturally Knotty Bamboo Shawls (one per winner; value: $49)
- Three bike bags from property of … (one per winner; value: at least $200 each)
- One $75 gift certificate at Popina Swim.
- Four private parties at the Kiehl’s store in Northwest Portland (one per winner).
- One free Tasting Room Tour for 4 at the Ninkasi Brewery in Eugene
- One weekend in a Zipcar.
- $1,000 in cash from Willamette Week.
Now are you convinced? Donate to TLC Farm at http://www.wweek.com/giveguide/ to share in the season of giving.
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Thu, 10/22/2009 - 11:59am — Anonymous- Login to post comments
Fall blueberry bush near sauna
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Feedback and participation welcome! Please send bug reports to web@tryonfarm.org
