Types of villagers

People participating in Ecovila Cunha are called Villagers.  There are four kinds of Villagers:

- Members
- Associate Members
- Friends
- Guests

Members

To become a Member, a person must own at least 10 shares in the Cia. Ltda., sign all community agreements, and be approved by the Ecovillage Council. No member will own more than 40 shares unless approved by the Cia. Ltda. Board. US-based members will invest via the LLC.

Members can participate in all consensus decision-making about the ecovillage, including the Ecovillage Council and the Cia. Ltda. Board (and the LLC Board if applicable) either in person or via the Community Zero website, email, phone and Skype.  In addition, Members are expected to assist with community development tasks, contribute to ongoing expenses as determined by the Ecovillage Council, and receive training in consensus process within one year of joining the community.

Members may:

- Use the property in ways aligned with the community’s goals, including living at or visiting the ecovillage, hosting guests, conducting business and organizing public programs.
- Use the common house, including 1 bedroom, or a cabana, if available.
- Sponsor Friends and Guests (see below).

Members owning at least 36 shares will be entitled to build one cabana (a small house or cabin) on the land, in accordance with the ecovillage development plan and the community vision.  Members owning fewer shares may pool their shares to form a nucleo owning at least 36 shares, which will then have the right to build a cabana.

Members will pay a small monthly fee determined by the Ecovillage Council.

Members will contribute labor and a small daily use fee (amount to be determined by the Ecovillage Council) for each day they stay at the ecovillage.

Ecovila Cunha will have a maximum of 20 Members.

Associate Members

To become an Associate Member, a person must own at least one share in the Cia. Ltda., sign all community agreements, and be approved by the Ecovillage Council. US-based members will invest via Shambala Ecovillage LLC.

Associate Members can participate in the Ecovillage Council, either in person or via the Community Zero website, email, phone and Skype. 

In addition, Associate Members are expected to assist with community development tasks, contribute to ongoing expenses as determined by the Ecovillage Council, and receive training in consensus process within one year of joining the community.

Associate Members may:

- Use the property in ways aligned with the community’s goals, including living at or visiting the ecovillage, hosting guests, conducting business and organizing public programs.
- Use the common house, including 1 bedroom, or a cabana, if available.
- Pool their shares with Members and/or Associate Members to form a nucleo owning at least 36 shares, which will then have the right to build a cabana.
- Sponsor Friends and Guests(see below).

Associate Members will pay a small monthly fee determined by the Ecovillage Council.

Associate Members will contribute labor and a small daily use fee (amount to be determined by the Ecovillage Council) for each day they stay at the ecovillage.

Ecovila Cunha will have a maximum of 10 Associate Members. 

Friends

Friends are people who wish to establish a long-term, non-member relationship with Ecovila Cunha.  This might include investors who do not want to be involved in the ongoing management of the ecovillage, supporters who want to stay at the ecovillage in exchange for labor, interns, seasonal residents and others.

To become a Friend of Ecovila Cunha, a person must be sponsored by a Member or Associate Member, make a contribution of R$1000 or more (or pledge an equivalent amount in labor), and sign the Community Accordance, the Common Grounds statement and the Guidelines for Use.  The designation of Friend will have a specified duration (typically one year) and can be renewed.

Friends may use the common house (including 1 bedroom) or a cabana, if available, for any period approved by the Ecovillage Council. 

Friends will contribute labor and a small daily use fee (amount to be determined by the Ecovillage Council) for each day they stay at the ecovillage.

Friends may participate in meetings and discussions of the Ecovillage Council, including the Community Zero website and the ecovillage email list, with no decision-making privileges.

The number of Friends at the ecovillage at any one time will be limited by policies (to be developed) on the use of the property.

Guests

Guests are people invited by a Member or Associate Member to visit Ecovila Cunha, including those registered for a program or workshop held at the ecovillage.  All Guests must read and sign the Guidelines for Use.

If registered for a program or workshop held at the ecovillage, Guests may use the common house (including 1 bedroom) or a cabana, if available, for the duration of the program.  At other times, Guests may use the common house or cabana for up to two weeks, as long as the sponsoring Member or Associate Member is present, or longer with the approval of the Ecovillage Council.

Guests will contribute labor and a small daily use fee (amount to be determined by the Ecovillage Council) for each day they stay at the ecovillage.

Guests may participate in meetings and discussions of the Ecovillage Council taking place during their visit, with no decision-making privileges.

The number of Guests at the ecovillage at any one time will be limited by policies (to be developed) on the use of the property.