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| Member Rights and Responsibilities
Please read this important notice and become familiar with all Garden policies on this page. Per the terms of our 501(c)(3) non-profit status, no political events of any type may be held in the Gardens. From the relevant page on the IRS website:
"Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes."
More info here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=163395,00.html
Philosophy
Green Oasis Community Garden and Gilbert’s Sculpture Garden function as one Garden with one Membership.
Green Oasis Community Garden was formed in 1981 based on two goals: to create a place to celebrate the arts, and to provide a healthy environment for neighborhood children. The Garden has pursued these goals successfully for more than two decades, and we expect to be here for years to come. We've survived and thrived, because of the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation we work to maintain. We have a diverse membership, and we believe that every Member has a right to be heard and to participate in the life of the Garden. Cynics often believe that inclusive, democratic organizations such as the Garden are doomed to failure. We're committed to our survival and continued growth. The Garden is your opportunity to put into practice what dreamers dream may be possible.
As a 100% volunteer run community organization, we're always struggling to balance individual desires and larger needs. This struggle, and our own openness, can lead to disagreements and conflicts. To transcend these difficulties and gain strength from our diversity, we must work together in the most cooperative and truthful way we possibly can. Everyone must make an effort to be responsible and considerate. It's important to remember that we do not own this Garden, but are its caretakers and custodians. We can't fulfill this primary role if we're fighting among ourselves.
Your annual membership fee allows you to become a part of a community organization. Like any other community, we've established codes of conduct that regulate our behavior, and we expect all Members of the community to abide by them.
Requirements
All Members of the Garden must:
• Act in the spirit of the Garden’s philosophy, as noted above.
• Pay the annual membership fee. Other adults in the same household may join for an additional fee per adult. Regardless of the fee paid, each Member receives a key and agrees to abide by the Garden guidelines.
• Contribute to the functioning of the Garden, including keeping Open Hours as required. Other ways to contribute are through committees to accomplish specific Garden goals and Member workdays. Information on ongoing activities and opportunities will be posted in the Garden and on the list serve. When you do work in the Garden, please log your time on the Garden’s chart. This lets us keep track of what's been done and what remains to be done and also helps us document Garden activities for grant applications and public support.
• Keep the Garden gate unlocked and open when you are in the Garden • When in the Garden, be aware of who else is in the Garden and enforce Garden rules as necessary.
Recommendations
• Attend as many meetings as possible, especially the quarterly planning meetings. During the growing season (roughly March through October) we meet twice during the month. These meetings deal with day-to-day concerns and developments; if you have questions or ideas about the everyday functioning of the Garden, this is your chance to have your voice heard. Approximately four times a year, we schedule major planning meetings. During these meetings, we discuss larger ongoing projects and issues. Although we're an active Garden with a lot to discuss, no one enjoys long, tedious, time-wasting meetings. We try to make sure the meetings are productive, amicable, and as brief as possible. We make every effort to keep everyone informed of the meeting schedule. Meeting dates, times and agendas are posted at the entrance of the Garden, or in the gazebo, and on the list serve. We strongly encourage all Members to attend meetings, especially the planning meetings. Our meetings are your only opportunity to shape and guide the activities of the Garden. Meetings begin promptly at 11 am and usually end by noon.
Specific Guidelines
For many years, the Garden has operated with very simple guidelines:
• Be kind to plants, animals, and other people.
• Leave nothing behind, and take nothing with you.
• Enjoy the Garden.
As the Garden has grown, we've realized the need to become more specific in our expectations. The following list is (we hope) comprehensive, but not overly restrictive. If you're ever in doubt about any specific action not encompassed here, please be guided by common sense and the three guidelines above.
Access
• Members may not duplicate keys, or loan keys to non-Members.
• Open Hours will be posted at the Garden’s gate. After Open Hours, the Member(s) present may choose to leave and close the Garden. Any Non-Members must then leave the Garden. If a Member is the last Member to leave the Garden, he or she must politely ask all Non-Members to leave, make sure the hoses are turned off, and then lock the gate(s) (in addition to the main gate, there is a West gate and an East gate that are typically only unlocked for deliveries, but make sure they are locked).
• Members are required to keep the Garden’s gate unlocked when they are in the Garden. Except for Open Hours when the Garden’s gate must be wide open, Members are strongly encouraged to keep the Gate open in the spirit of welcoming other Members and Non-Members (visitors).
Animals
• If you are not actively engaged in supervising your dog, he/she must remain on the leash while in the Garden.
• All Non-Members' dogs, regardless of size, must remain on the leash while in the Garden.
• If someone asks you to leash your dog, please do so without arguing.
• Dogs may not be walked in the Garden. If your dog defecates in the Garden, clean it up immediately. Dog urine harms plants.
Behavior
• Members are the Garden’s caretakers and ambassadors and when in the Garden Members must be aware of the activities of Non Members (visitors) with regard to the Garden’s rules and enforce those rules as necessary. If a disruptive Non-Member is someone that is with you, you must make sure that he or she stops this behavior or leaves the Garden.
• If you think another Member is violating the Garden’s rules, please ask them about his/her behavior.
• Any form of verbal or physical abuse is unacceptable.
• No drug use or excessive alcohol consumption in the Garden.
• Please be considerate of our neighbors. Activities such as music, singing, and drumming must be limited in volume at all times and stop completely by 10 pm. Any behavior that disturbs our neighbors must cease immediately upon complaint.
• Any adult (Member or Non Member) who has taken responsibility for children in the Garden must enforce the kids' rules.
Conflicts
• Though we may disagree over specifics, all of us must act in good faith and accept that others also are acting with good intentions.
• We must accept that not every issue has an easy answer.
• We need to monitor our own behavior, actions, and reactions to others. Tone of voice and word choice are significant. Inflammatory language is counter-productive. Violent language is a form of violence. Violence is not tolerated in the Garden.
• Arguing, fighting, and chronic bickering are forms of violence, which affect all Garden Members. If Members can't resolve personal differences on their own, structured conflict resolution may be necessary.
• If a dispute arises over a Garden action, activity or structure, the appropriate forum for resolving the dispute is at a Garden meeting.
Children
• All kids in the Garden must follow the kids' rules, listed separately and posted in the gazebo. Any child who can't or won't follow the rules must be asked to leave the Garden.
• Any Member or Non-Member adult accompanying children in the Garden must enforce the kids' rules.
• Children not accompanied by a parent, guardian, caregiver or teacher may be asked to leave. Garden members are not babysitters and should not be expected to watch children.
• Children may not go into the pond area without an adult.
• Trees are for birds and squirrels only. No climbing - it's dangerous for humans and the tree.
• Garden Members' children under the age of 18 may not be given their own keys.
Events
• All parties and events must be scheduled in advance. First check the calendar in the gazebo for any conflicts, and then speak to the calendar coordinator to get an event form.
• If a Garden Member schedules an event, he or she is responsible for the guests' behavior, Garden clean-up, and locking the Garden after all guests have left.
• All noise, particularly amplified music, must be kept low enough so that it doesn't disturb our neighbors.
• If you schedule an event, you must bring your own garbage bags, clean up, and take your trash with you when you leave. Do not leave your trash in front of the Garden or the adjacent buildings. Dispose of it in your building’s trash, or in a public trash receptacle.
• No urinating or defecating in the Garden. (You may, with the approval of the Garden, rent a portable toilet or devise some other method of dealing with this bodily function.)
• No drug use and no excessive drinking.
• No destructive behavior toward people, plants, animals or structures in the Garden.
• The Garden remains open to Members during events, but please be considerate of guests as you work.
• These rules apply to all unscheduled gatherings as well.
• Scheduled events take priority over unscheduled ones in determining access to the grill, gazebo, patio, and other Garden facilities.
• Non-Members may schedule events in the Garden, but there must be a Member willing to sponsor the event. Non Members must sign a reservation form, agreeing to the above rules. In addition to a donation, a security deposit is required; this will be refunded once clean-up is completed. All events scheduled or sponsored by anyone other than a Garden Member in good standing are limited to four hours and must end by 6pm.
Meetings
• At least five days before each meeting, the date, time and to date agenda will be posted at the Garden’s entrance
• Meetings will start on time. If you're late, please do not interrupt the meeting by asking for a recap.
• Visitors are welcome to observe meetings, but they may not participate in the discussion or vote on any issues. • Meetings are chaired by volunteer Members on a rotating basis.
• The meeting chair may, with the approval of the Members, set time limits for debating agenda items.
• At all meetings, minutes will be taken and posted no later than the following meeting. Minutes are taken by volunteer Members on a rotating basis. • The last item of business at each meeting will be setting the agenda for the next meeting. At the start of each meeting, Members who wish to add an item to the agenda may do so with the approval of the others present. Less pressing issues may be carried over to a later meeting. Latecomers may place an item on the agenda only if time permits.
• We try to reach consensus on all issues. If, after a reasonable discussion period, it's clear that no consensus is possible, then the Members attending the meeting may make a decision by a simple majority vote. • There's no quorum necessary, but if a substantial number of active and interested Members are unable to attend a meeting when a significant project or issue is on the agenda, that item, by consent of those present, may be postponed to the following meeting. This will give all interested parties the maximum opportunity to participate in the discussion. • All Garden Members have a right to participate in meetings. However, we all need to reflect before we speak and limit the length of our statements. Members must be recognized by the chair before speaking. Please do not interrupt others.
• Side conversations and sotto voce remarks are distracting, annoying, and counter-productive. If you indulge in them, you will be asked to stop. • Anyone who can't follow these guidelines will be asked to leave the meeting.
Plots
• Members who actively participate in the Garden are given priority on the plot waiting list. Otherwise, the list is maintained on a first-come/first-serve basis.
• Planting should begin no later than May 15. If your plot hasn't been cultivated by then, it may be assigned to the next person on the waiting list.
• It's your responsibility to plant, weed, water, and care for your plot. (No chemical pesticides or fertilizer.) If you're going to be out of town for an extended period, ask other Garden Members to help you.
• If your plot remains untended over several weeks, you'll be asked to take better care of it. If you're still unable to keep it up, the plot will be assigned to someone else the following season.
• If you have complaints about the assignment or maintenance of plots, attend the next meeting and place the issue on the agenda.
Non Members (Visitors)
• The visitor guidelines will be posted prominently in the Garden, and any visitor not abiding by the guidelines will be asked to leave.
• Visitors may not pick flowers, fruit or vegetables, nor are visitors allowed to water, weed, transplant, prune or otherwise work in the Garden, except under the direct and constant supervision of a Member.
• Visitors' dogs, regardless of size, must remain on the leash while in the Garden. | |
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