Volunteer

Want to be involved?

Community participants are the heart & soul of the Gabriola Commons

Teams of peers self organize to do the work of the Commons to

steward and protect the rich, diverse ecology
nurture the land’s agricultural potential
foster shared community use for current and future generations.

Come and meet great neighbours; be part of the Commons culture and legacy.

How to get Involved

Attend a Saturday Workbee
10am – noon and join us for soup after.
Scan the list of teams for one that suits your interests and email the contact person.
Join the Newcomers’ Team.
Help organize an event.
Propose a new project to the Sharing the Commons Team.

Get Involved

Gabriola Commons Teams

Land & Community

Farm Team

Join the Farm Team if you enjoy working on the land.

To apply the Commons vision to protect the agricultural potential of the Commons by:

enhancing the land to produce food for generations to come;
engaging in organic food production, modeling sustainable community agriculture;
modeling sustainable supported agriculture, using renewable energy practices; and
engaging in horticultural research specific to Gabriola.

To coordinate the agricultural initiatives presented in our three-phase agricultural plan for the Agricultural Land Commission.

Commons farming blog, Gardening on the Commons.

Contact: Heather Menzies
farming[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Property Stewardship

Join the Property Stewardship team if you like to fix things or help coordinate community groups using the Commons.

To maintain the Commons buildings and grounds by:
- monitoring the facilities and grounds; and
- arranging for upgrades or repairs
To be responsible for short term uses of the Commons by:
- working with the volunteer booking coordinator;
- developing information sheets and policy for users of the Commons;
- ensuring rental fees are paid and submitted to the treasurer; and
- dealing with the issues and concerns of Commons or community groups using the facilities.
To participate in project task forces by providing advice for future management of renovations or new structures

Contact: Don Smardon
property[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Trails and Green Spaces

Join the Trails & Green Spaces team if you interested in the identification and protection of ecosystems.

To identify and protect the undeveloped “green spaces” on the Gabriola Commons through mapping of the diverse ecosystems.
To recognize specific areas such as the marshland around the pond as ecological reserves and propose limited means of access.
To develop trails carefully, permitting access through selected areas in a way that respects the environment by restricting passage to the pathway.
To identify and take action against harmful invasive species and promote the planting of native over non-native species.

Contact: Judith Roux
trails[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Community Kitchen Stewards

As a collaborative team, the Kitchen Stewards manage community use of the Commons Community Kitchen and develop policies and procedures to ensure safe, clean and equitable use of the facility.

Goals/Objectives

1. Develop guidelines that will ensure Community Kitchen use is equitable and accessible to all in the community of Gabriola.

2. Develop procedures/protocols to ensure safe operation of the kitchen and its equipment and adherence to relevant regulations and guidelines

3. Develop procedures/protocols to ensure hygienic and sanitary conditions

Strategies:

1. Develop Procedures Checklists and rental form for rentals

2. Develop daily/weekly/monthly/annual task lists for Stewards

3. Develop policies regarding use of fridge, freezers, cold stores, dry stores.

Rental contact info is by email. Contact:

Brent O’Malley
kitchen[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Events

Join this team if you like to help with various events and projects.

To help community members participate in the Commons.
To raise the profile of the Commons in the community.
To contribute to the fundraising for the Commons.

Contact: Colleen Reid
wildwellness.live@gmail.com or events[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Soup Makers

Nutritious lunches of soup and bread are served at the conclusion of Saturday Workees. A group of cooks roate the making of soup from local ingredients.

If you would like to participate, contact Fred Harris:
fred.harris1[at]gmail.com

Newcomers' Team

Contact: Patrick Colvin
newcomers[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Yurt Keepers

Contact: K. Allen or M. Scott
yurt[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Mandate:

We will maintain and promote the use of the Commons Yurt. The yurt is a hub of connection, education, culture making and collaboration with other community organizations.

Objectives:

Maintain the integrity, security, cleanliness and functioning of the yurt structure
Promote the availability of the yurt as an educational, wellness and entertainment venue
Upgrade interior and exterior of the yurt to ensure safety and comfort of users
Organize bookings and payments

Strategies:

Purchase a porta-potty unit that would be maintained by a local company
Annual spring-cleaning work bee in and around the yurt
Protect deteriorating exterior plywood sheeting ring
Inspect and improve insulation underneath floor, as needed
Purchase and install optional brighter lighting inside the yurt
Organize and promote continuous fundraising events for the yurt
Attend and report regularly at Commons Coordinating Council

Goat Barn

Contact:

Ron Cote

Mandate

To renovate and develop the goat barn into a multipurpose community gathering and performing arts space that provides a safe and secure venue for public assembly, performances, and recreation.

Objectives:

Upgrade the existing building’s architecture to meet safety, accessibility and seismic standards to allow for public assembly and indoor arts events.
Change the occupancy permit from agricultural/unconditioned barn to public assembly or relevant equivalent in compliance with RDN equirements for intended use and Islands Trust land use regulations.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities to enhance the building’s usability as a performing arts venue and community gathering space.
Develop a maintenance and operations plan that integrates the building with other Commons teams and allows it to be operated sustainably within the constraints and requirements of the site and with Commons’ policies on infrastructure, accessibility, parking, grounds keeping, garbage, noise bylaws, finances, and governance structure.

Strategies

Consult with Commons and community stakeholders to identify needs for public assembly and performing arts use.
Assess what RDN and Islands Trust regulatory permits are required for the intended use and what renovations and structural alterations will be required.
Work with a certified engineer/architect/or architectural designer to establish a workable initial design and budget.
Produce an initial set of construction and design drawings
Establish a fundraising program, in consultation with the Commons, that pursues private and corporate donations as well as performing arts funding such as BCAC infrastructure grants
Produce final construction plans and oversee construction in concert with the Commons.
Establish a Stewardship Team that reports to the Commons Coordinating Council at regular intervals and/or as required and delegates a member to attend monthly board meetings.
Provide information on the ongoing process to the Commons and to the community using tools such as brochures and a Goat Barn website integrated with the Commons website.
Integrate access to the goat barn with the Sharing the Commons and Rental Teams.

Contact

David Oliver Reid
goatbarn(at)gabriolacommons(dot)ca

Governance & Admin

Board of Trustees

Join the Trustees Team if you enjoy working with others to respond to administrative and/or financial challenges.

The Trustees Team stewards the financial and legal aspects of the Commons to meet the requirements of a non-profit registered charity, the Gabriola Commons Foundation (GCF).

GCF is the entity which holds title to the property for the benefit of the community and through which charitable donations flow.

Trustees address legal and financial issues, with diligence and transparency, in the best interests of the health and wellbeing of the Commons.

The trustees are a team in keeping with the governance and organizational structure of the Gabriola Commons, holding a place of shared responsibility with all other teams around the Gabriola Commons Coordinating Council table.

Goal:

Legal, financial structures and systems are aligned with Commons values and principles without automatically assuming that the traditional structures and systems are the way it must be done.

Objectives:

1. To continually re-assess and re-think traditional ways of interface with legal and financial bodies.

2. To develop creative, effective and transformational strategies and practices while still meeting legal and financial requirements.

Please note:

To join the Trustee Team, you must be elected at the Commons Annual General meeting, or under special circumstances, appointed to the Board by the current Trustees. In either case, you must be a member of the Gabriola Commons Foundation. If you wish to become a member, please contact the Trustees at this address:

Contact: Bob Andrew
trustees[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Bookings

Contact: Deb Ferens
bookings[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Communications

Mandate

The Communications Team (COM) facilitates the exchange of ideas and information about the Gabriola Commons, among Commons teams and individual participants, and between the Commons and the Gabriola community.

Objectives for 2020-2022

To enhance knowledge and understanding about the Commons
To promote community participation in the activities of the Commons
To encourage the exchange of ideas, concerns and hopes for the Commons

Strategies

Manage the consistency of the Commons communication identity – logo, colours, font, etc.
Coordinate signage, maps, print materials, etc.
Maintain the Communiqué (electronic newsletter)
Maintain the Commons website, assisting teams with posting of pertinent news and information.
Maintain an archive for photographs taken on the Commons.
Write and support others in writing articles for publication in the local newspaper, on the Commons FaceBook page, various blogs, and other media.
Act as the primary point of contact/liaison with various media
Attend and report regularly at Commons Coordinating Council.

Contact: Heather Menzies
communications[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Council Stewardship

The Commons Coordinating Council (CCC) is the heart of the governance of the Gabriola Commons. These monthly meetings are where information, activities, issues and news are shared promoting the health and well-being of the Commons. It meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm.

Mandate

Council Stewardship Team supports the functioning of the Commons Coordinating Council.

Objectives

During the 2023-2024 year, this team will:

ensure smooth functioning of Commons Coordinating Council meetings.
support teams’ and individuals’ communication by consulting on effective ways to report to Council orally and in writing.
support communication about and across Commons agriculture, ecology and community.

Strategies

Provide information about Council
Draw up guidelines for meeting logistics
Provide a template agenda
Arrange for meeting facilitation
Arrange for note taking and editing
Provide template for taking Notes
Provide template for team reports
Send meeting reminders
Circulate Notes to team representatives and website
Promote additional Council communications as required
Provide information about Peer Governance
Report to Commons Coordinating Council regularly

Covenant

The Covenant Team is an ad hoc Gabriola Commons Foundation Board of Trustees group formed to create documents pertinent to registering a covenant on the title of the Gabriola Commons. This covenant and its essential attachments establish protection, preservation and stewardship of the property on Gabriola Island known as the Gabriola Commons as a public amenity, for the use and enjoyment of Gabriolans in perpetuity as a community commons.

Objectives for 2019-2020

Prepare the current draft of the Covenant and application forms for submission to the BC Land Title Office and the BC Agricultural Land Commission.
Procure suitable Covenant Holder(s) and work with them as required.
Complete and attach the Baseline Report to the Covenant when it is submitted. This describes the land and amenities as they exist at the time of registration in the BC Land Title Office.
Complete the Full (Master) Baseline Report and all its documentation, such as complete detailed descriptions of ecosystem polygons.
Complete and attach the Stewardship Agreement to the Covenant when it is submitted. This is a formal agreement between the GCF and the Covenant Holder(s) for protecting, preserving, and stewarding the Commons’ natural, agricultural and cultural features. Its attachment is a template for the Stewardship Plan.
Prepare a draft of the first three-year Stewardship Plan
Contribute to the formation of a Stewardship Team.

Strategies

Continue meeting regularly to refine the draft Covenant and get it and its attachments ready for submission to the BC Land Title Office.
Complete and submit the BC Land Title Office forms.
Complete and submit BC Agricultural Land Commission Referral.
Seek additional consultations as necessary.
Identify, approach and work with potential Covenant Holders.
Prepare Covenant Holder documents for Gabriola Commons Foundation Trustees to sign.
Prepare an expanded Baseline Report for archiving.
Write a draft of the first three-year Stewardship Plan.
Initiate and participate in the formation of a first Stewardship Team.
Attend and report regularly to the Commons Coordinating Council.

Contact: K. Louise Vincent: covenant[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Finance

Join the Finance Team if you are interested in getting an overview if the inner workings of the Commons, especially from a financial perspective. No accounting experience required.

As a sub-committee of the Trustees, the Finance Team:

Ensures that financial records are systematically maintained, accurate and complete
Provides recommendations to the Trustees and Coordinating Council through a financial lens
Helps other teams with their budgets and other financial concerns

Contact: Gloria Filax
finance[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Process Team

Join if you are interested in exploring and implementing how the Commons can nurture our well-being and wholeness through healthy interpersonal relationships, clear communications, compassionate understanding, and successful conflict resolution.

Mandate:

The Commons Process Team (CPT) promotes peace on and for the Commons.

This team will work collaboratively with teams, groups and individuals to support healthy interpersonal relationships, clear communications, compassionate understanding and successful conflict resolution.

It will provide resources, sponsor events and programs, develop strategies for consideration by the Commons Teams, Council and Foundation, and offer processes for and assistance with conflict resolution.

Objectives:

To work with groups and individuals on or connected with the Commons with the intention of working toward peaceful and respectful co-existence, skilled communication, and healthy trust and harmony.
To encourage discussion and adoption of good practices that support these ends.
To encourage healthy interpersonal and intergroup communication, respectful and fair conflict resolution, and collaborative power sharing, and to provide opportunities to build skills to uphold these goals.
To orient all participants, especially newcomers, to the overall vision and purpose of the Commons, and to modes of interaction which support the Commons vision.
To ensure that healthy, fair and respectful processes are developed, agreed on, and offered, for dealing with differences, airing disagreements, and resolving conflicts.
To nurture a culture of mutual compassion, honesty, and respect, as a path for creating a better and more peaceful future.

Contact: Jen Turner
process[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Technology Team

Purpose & Scope of Practice:

The purpose of the Technology Team is to administer and manage all electronic technology (hardware & software) used on the Commons (excluding tech already in use at gardens, e.g. water timers and cameras).

This includes administering online accounts (e.g. Sync, SiteGround, Telus, Canva), registering and maintaining software (e.g. Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office), and providing oversight for networking and smart technology (e.g. Telus Modem & Internet Routers, Smart Locks, Cameras)

Objectives

Objectives are ongoing as technology needs evolve.

At this time, one objective is to regain access to the Canva account and to create additional Sync accounts for the Trustees, and to migrate all online accounts to a single e-mail address. Expected to be completed by November 2026.

Strategies

An e-mail address (tech@gabriolacommons.ca) has been created and will be monitored regularly for tech-related inquiries.
Migrating online accounts are gradually being moved over to this email address for centralized login and administration.
Installing smart locks, cameras, etc and maintaining the codes and file storage. (Door codes maintained in conjunction with Bookings team)
Budget will fall under Trustees, which already pays for these online services

Sharing the Commons

Host conversations with interested groups and individuals to talk about the proposed project/event and identify relevant steps and documents/teams to consult.
Assess the proposed project/event’s fit with Commons values and processes.
Provide guidance in creating a working group and project mandate.
Assist the working group in consulting with and getting support from other teams in council.
Provide a member of the STC team to assist the group in its liaisons with council and other teams.
Provide information to the Commons community about the project/event.

Mandate

The Share the Commons Team acts as the entry point for potential new projects on the Commons.

Objectives

To work with groups and individuals wanting to develop new events or projects on the Commons so as to maintain a peaceful, productive and respectful co-existence of all land and facilities uses.
To facilitate discussions on the Vision and Purpose of the Commons as new projects are developed to ensure that that they reflect them.
To strive for full participation in the sharing of the Commons to affirm its identity as a Community Commons.
To act as a bridge to the Council and other relevant teams during the development of new projects and events.

Strategies

Host conversations with interested groups and individuals to talk about the proposed project/event and identify relevant steps and documents/teams to consult.
Assess the proposed project/event’s fit with Commons values and processes.
Provide guidance in creating a working group and project mandate.
Assist the working group in consulting with and getting support from other teams in council.
Provide a member of the STC team to assist the group in its liaisons with council and other teams.
Provide information to the Commons community about the project/event.

General

Respond to inquiries to ascertain whether a group or individual proposing to hold an activity on the Commons might merely need to book space through the Bookings Team, and to both refer them and advise on relevant documents to complete.
Assist at Commons events to encourage new participants to become more involved by joining a team or project group.

Contact the Share the Commons Team if you are interested in proposing a new project or event on the Commons, or helping one of the “on the books” potential* new projects move forward.

Contact: Gloria Filax
sharing[at]gabriolacommons.ca

Projects we’ve been working on

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