Staff FAQ’s
Staff FAQ’s
- The R3 acorn seem to be a lot busier than other staff, why is that?
- Which roles within AoM are paid and which are voluntary, and why is that?
- What do I get as a staff member?
The acorn seem to be a lot busier than other staff, why is that?
Think of it like this on the learning / life journey:
Ring 1 is East – inspiration
Ring 2 South East – orientation and play
Ring 3 is South – focus and perspiration
Ring 4 SW – embodiment
Ring 5 West – service
The ring 3 is the initiation, the crucible of learning. Although it is intense, people go through massive growth and shedding through this intensity of serving something big, unknown and dynamic.
At the same time it’s worth saying that while we are still learning the 8 shields model in the UK , we should acknowledge that it can and will run smoother than we have experienced so far. Meaning it doesn’t have to be as full on as it may have seemed in the first two years!
This year we have experienced acorn North Connor Stedman coming from the East Coast of North America to support us which should give us a strong blueprint to work from in future years. This year we plan to go back basics and get the acorn well grounded in the directions and efficacy of the model (see acorn roles too).
But not if Miki has anything to do with it, instead you’ll get “passion for play and mischief. I want this cultural cauldron to bubble and hiss with excitement, energy, confusion and creativity that ripples through communities.”
Community is messy. So come 2 feet in ready for the ride!
The model is evolving all the time, and this year we are trailing a ‘Hearth Tnders’ acorn in addition to the ring 1 acorn. The intention here is to take pressure off the R1 acorn and create greater holding of the children, kitchen and hearth of the village. It will be a lot of fun! For more see staff opportunities page.
In regards to the ring 3 working hard, it’s worth noting that the ring 4 and 5 do far more year round work to support the AoM, and work late into the night, so don’t be fooled by their generally fun, relaxed way of carrying out their responsibilities to the village! Visible stress is not the measuring stick of hardwork we are going for.
Which roles within AoM are paid and which are voluntary, and why is that?
The ring 4 and 5 receive a small fee as they have year round responsibilities. The ring 3 is a training and service position.
With 60 staff it is hard for us to cover even everyone’s basic food, accommodation costs and a travel stipends. In these start up years we have paid more to have the wisdom and skill fo teachers like Jon Young and Mark Morey. As time goes on and we have fewer external teachers, we can distribute finances a little more, as well as towards the growth of AoM UK as an organisation. We have invested in building a year round regional web and other trainings we hope to the benefit of all. AoM UK has not made any profit, nor has any of the individuals serving it, with the exception of some teachers like Jon, who is also supporting the whole growth of the 8 Shields Institute on the back of his international teaching fees. The rest of our income goes to financing the event administration, insurance, venue hire, food, chef, staff travel & stipends, speakers fees, paying the food & Lodging cost of our large staff group, providing bursary places.
Within AoM UK we have a flat pay structure which mean people holding year round roles are paid at the same minimal rate of 80 per day regardless of experience or levels of responsibility. We all work invisibly far more days than can be remunerated because we are nourished by living into this great adventure!
Just for your reference if you were to volunteer planting trees for Trees for Life for one week you would need to pay between 70-300 for the weeks food, board and overheads. (It’s a great week by the way, highly recommended! http://www.treesforlife.org.uk ). Apprentices at the Wilderness Awareness School also pay to work in the region of 2,000+ to be a volunteer youth mentor two days a week.
Basically there just are hidden financial and energetic costs involved even in having volunteer staff .
What do I get as a staff member?
The advantage that all staff at AoMs get are:
- Specialist staff training, and after party.
- All food, venue costs paid
- A travel stipend of 50 for people within the UK.
- Long lasting relationships & networking with elders, teachers and peers
- Deeper understanding of the 8 shields each year
- Visibility in your gifts which tends to bring more people to your workshops
- Immersion in a culture of people encouraging your gifts and inviting you to your edge, and giving you real feedback. That said it is impossible and undesirable to have 60 staff all at thier learning growth edge, the real service comes when you are ready to go where you are need and offer your solidity as well as receive growth.
- Knowing that by coming together in the spirit of service together we are offering an immersion experience of nature and culture far greater than any of us could do alone, this has enormous ripple effects through our own bodies and communities. It is a big energetic investment for everyone at all levels.
- You are not working for the Art of Mentoring, you are the Art of Mentoring!