Shares

The land and property of Ecovila Cunha is owned by Ecovila Plantas e Alimentos Naturais, Cia. Ltda., a Brazilian companhia limitada (similar to an limited liability company in the USA).  The Brazilian members of the ecovillage own shares of the Cia. Ltda. proportional to their investment.

Shambala Ecovillage LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in New Mexico USA, owns a large share of the Cia. Ltda.  The US members of the ecovillage own shares of the LLC, and through it, shares of the Cia. Ltda. 

The Cia. Ltda. will have 300 shares. 

The price of one share of the Cia. Ltda. is currently R$1500.  The Cia. Ltda. Board will review the share price at least once per year and may adjust it to reflect any change in value of the Cia. Ltda.’s assets.

Fees

Villagers (Members, Associate Members, Friends and Guests) provide the money and labor required to operate and maintain Ecovila Cunha.

Operating expenses include:

- Property taxes
- Utilities (electricity, gas, telephone, internet)
- Maintenance and repairs
- Supplies
- Accounting & bank fees
- Other community expenses approved by the Ecovillage Council

Villagers will contribute monthly fees and daily use fees (described below) to the Cia. Ltda.  Fees will be deposited in the Cia. Ltda.’s bank account or in a petty cash account maintained at the Ecovila.

Any surplus funds, with the approval of the Ecovillage Council, will be used to purchase vehicles, tools, furniture, equipment, and other items or services for the use of the community. 

Monthly fees:  All Members and Associate Members will pay a small monthly fee determined by the Ecovillage Council.  The current monthly fee is R$60.

Daily use fees:  All Villagers will pay a small daily use fee, determined by the Ecovillage Council, for each 24-hour period they are at Ecovila Cunha.

The current daily use fees are:

- Members, Associate Members and Friends: R$5 / day
- Guests: R$10 / day

Labor contributions

All Villagers (Members, Associate Members, Friends and Guests) will contribute labor for maintenance, repairs and improvement of Ecovila Cunha.  The Ecovillage Council will determine the minimum number of hours each participant will be expected to contribute for each day they are at Ecovila Cunha.  The Ecovillage Council or a designee will provide a list of tasks that need to be done. 

The current expected labor contribution is:

- Members, Associate Members and Friends: 2 hours / day
- Guests: 1 hour / day

Sweat equity

With the prior approval of the Ecovillage Council, all Villagers will have the opportunity to contribute additional labor (beyond the expected daily labor contribution) instead of paying the required daily use fees.  The Ecovillage Council will determine the cash value (in reais per hour) of additional labor.

Members, Associate Members (and Friends aspiring to membership) may also contribute additional labor (beyond the expected daily labor contribution) to purchase shares in the Cia. Ltda., with the prior approval of the Cia. Ltda. Board, or to purchase shares in the LLC, with the prior approval of the LLC Board and the Cia. Ltda. Board.  In both cases, the Cia. Ltda. Board will determine the cash value (in reais per hour) of additional labor.