Living at the Ashevillage Institute (AVI) in 2008

The general picture
We want enthusiastic, super responsible, skilled people who are great at living collectively, have a skill-set and passion to help develop AVI, and support the season's programs (while participating in them for free). There will be about 7-10 residents. Each person will be responsible for paying their own living expenses (link), plus contributing about 10-15 hours/week in areas such as gardening, carpentry, administration, organization, workshop support, food coordination, etc. The ideal commitment is from March thru October, with the possibility of staying longer and/or becoming part of AVI's core team. AVI is both a private home, as well as an educational center...To keep things balanced, AVI's public events (link to event page) are concentrated into the last four days of every month. Camping and private indoor rooms (link to below) are both available. If you're interested in living at AVI, please read this whole page, and fill out the survey below (link).

Resident profile
AVI is still emerging into it's full potential and wants people who are very responsible, experienced, uplifting, good communicators, self-initiators...with solid, related skills to contribute (either hands-on or organizational). Residents are people who are passionate and practiced in living sustainably, do well in a shared living environment, are helpful, and know how to take, and respect other's space when needed. Our preference is to have people who are 30 years of age, or over, but if you are younger and very mature, we will consider you. Note: Please do not inquire if you are a regular smoker, toker, or drinker...'regular' meaning weekly or more. We love to have fun, and partake on occasion, but not as a frequent practice.

Resident responsibilities
Residents at AVI will:
*Cover their own living expenses
*Be part of a cooperative food scene
*Help keep the house and grounds clean and tidy
*Participate in a weekly check-in, clean-up, and heart circle
*Initiate and cooperate as individuals and as a living collective
*Ideally commit from March thru October (breaks are fine), with the option of making AVI your longer-term home
*Contribute 10-15 hours/week on a project of your choice, which could include gardens, buildings, permaculture, administration, organization, workshop support, food coordination, etc.

Sustainability Programs
AVI has a fantastic Sustainability Workshop Series and Permaculture Certification Course for 2008, along with visiting teachers, authors, and pioneering movers n' shakers. Educational programs will take place at AVI the last Thursday thru Sunday of every month, March through October. Residents are encouraged to actively participate in these programs, valued at $2,500, but free-of-charge to you.

Accommodations & expenses
Camping: $225/month, includes a tent platform in a wooded area out back (about 100 feet from the main house), composting toilet, outdoor shower, plus full access to the house.

Private indoor room: $420-$550/month depending on room size.
Utilities: To be split between 7-10 people, shouldn't be too much, includes wi-fi.
Food: $140/month; will be shared, organic, and suited for various diets.
Educational programs: Free to AVI residents, valued at $2,500.

Resident survey & selection process
If you are interested in exploring a residency at AVI, we look forward to hearing from you. Please read this entire page carefully to throughly understand our goals, expectations, and living situation. Then copy this survey, paste it into an email, fill it out, and email it to Janell Kapoor at janell@kleiwerks.org. We will keep you posted on selections, which will be a rolling process.

1) Name, age, ancestry and contact info including address, email & phone number? Please also include any personal details you are comfortable sharing that you believe might make you more interesting to us.
2) Why do you want to live at AVI, and what do you hope to get out of it? What do you find most appealing or exciting about it?
3) What other main options do you have if you weren't at AVI?
4) What is your experience in living and/or working in a community or collective setting? What do you find most rewarding about it, and what most challenging?
5) Please describe your skill-sets. What do you most pride yourself on? What skills or background do you have that might benefit AVI (ie: gardening, permaculture, natural building, carpentry, organizing events, nonprofit management, healthy cooking, administrative support, etc)?
6) What are some of your life’s passions? What are your favorite things to do?
7) Do you have interest in the potential of being at AVI longer term, or just for the season (either way is fine)? Do you have any other obligations between March thru October?
8) How do you envision taking this experience and integrating it into your life after this season? It is our hope that participants contribute to the larger movement, whether you go on to teach others, work on a professional level, become part of our core team, or other ways you might choose to further sustainable living.
9) What kinds of foods do you tend to eat? Do you have any dietary restrictions? There will be a collective food pool, with some shared meals depending on people's schedules. AVI is an organic, omnivorous kitchen, happy to accommodate vegetarians.
10) Do you prefer an indoor room, or camping?
11) Do you have money saved up to cover living expenses, or will you be doing some work off site (either way is fine)?
12) Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
13) Please include your resume, 2 professional references, and 2 personal references.

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