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Annex 2: A Permaculture Design for the International Permaculture CoLab User Guide


Purpose of the design

We want to create a user guide that:

    compiles critical information about the CoLab that is currently

      dispersed over multiple locations

      not documented

      make more visible the structures, policies and services we have in place to support members

      encourage reflection on what is and how it could be made better


      Possible elements / sections for the user guide and functions taking into account applied permaculture ethics and principles


         

      Permaculture Ethics / principles

      Elements

      Functions

      Integrate rather than segregate – David Holmgren


      Catch and store energy – David Holmgren


      Use edges and value the marginal – David Holmgren

      Purpose of the User Guide


      Use Inclusive Language

      Be clear to people reading the document as to the context and the content they will find in the user guide – informational


      Set the tone for the rest of the document.


      Attention to: more simple English and gender in the translated versions.


      Design from patterns to details – David Holmgren


      Produce no waste – David Holmgren

      What is the CoLab: The balance between autonomy and coherence

      History: https://www.perma.earth/history-of-the-international-permaculture-CoLab/

      VMAs: https://www.perma.earth/vision/

      CoLab governance model: https://www.perma.earth/colab/

      Communicate clearly what the CoLab is


      Explaining how CoLab groups work and where lies their autonomy within the ecosystem

      Observe and Interact – David Holmgren

      What does the CoLab do:

      Get to know current projects: https://www.perma.earth/projects/

      Circles: https://www.perma.earth/CoLab/ - is being rewritten

      Communicate clearly what the CoLab does and where to find further information about what are the current activities within the CoLab


      The CoLab onboarding journey: https://www.perma.earth/onboarding-journey/

      Joining an existing work group / circle / project / micro-enterprise

      Creating a new working group / circle / project / micro-enterprise

      Composting groups

      Communicate how a person can become a member


      how and where to get involved


      how to create new groups


      how to wind down groups after they have finished their work or become inactive over time

      Fair share

      Earth Care

      People Care


      Use small and slow solutions – David Homgren


      Use and value renewable resources and services – David Holmgren

      Support and Services

      Tools available to working groups / circles / projects

      Additional Services

      Communicate clearly what services and support is offered as a part of the CoLab membership

      Catch and store energy – David Holmgren


      Use and value diversity – David Homgren

      Benefits and responsibilities of CoLab members

      Resources: https://www.perma.earth/shop/

      Funding Opportunities:

      Code of Conduct

      Adhoc policies for grants eg Community Accountability Policy

      Outline briefly what are the benefits and responsibilities of being a CoLab member. Informational, invitational, reflective.


      Communications inside and outside the CoLab

      slack management

      social media links

      mailing lists

      contact email

      Outline briefly how communication work and how to responsibly use them. Informational and invitational


      Feedback

      Outline how feedback is not only welcome but invited, who will review it giving a clear way to submit it.