Hedonisia Hawaii Tropical Farm Retreat
Fair-Trade Manager Program
Principles of Sustainable Community Management
Communication & Community Living: Communication with everyone on the property is a daily activity. Living in a community and sharing space and facilities can be stressful at times. We want to recognize the time you take as a Manager to deal with this important aspect so please specify each type of communication that you deal with in the Daily Manager's Log located on the Bookings Spreadsheet.
- Positive and Respectful Communication. A Manager can assist good and positive flow with small and subtle actions in their interactions with guests, volunteers, and community.
- Disciplinary Activities. Maintain a positive space in the barn area through example and remind guests and volunteers that any negativity will not be tolerated. If a guest or volunteer has to be asked to leave the property after mediation, always give the option to return once behavior pattern that caused the disruption is modified. This creates hope for change & redemption in the community at Hedonisia and in the larger community of Puna.
- Conflict Resolution & Mediation. Provide mediation between parties if needed and practice conflict resolution in a calm manner away from guests and volunteers.
- Community & Individuality. We describe Hedonisia as "an ever fluctuating community of independent individuals". This means that the Hedo community can do shared activities such as meals or excursions but must respect each individual's right to be left alone or to do their own thing. And each individual must behave in such a way that does not impose on the rights of the community. For example, there are certain types of individuals who attempt to impose their personalities on a community. For instance, they may try to dominate every dinner conversation. If necessary, remind Volunteers and Guests to respect each other’s living space, lifestyle, and individuality.
Customer Service for Volunteers and Guests: Guest interaction through email, website, phone, and on property are to be handled as needed. Most potential volunteers will be guests for the first three days of arriving.
- 1) Email and Website Manager must check Hedonisa Email and Booking Spreadsheet on a daily basis. Bookings will have to be updated to coincide with email and hostelworld.com changes or reservations.
- 2) Phone Calls Questions, inquiries and interviews from potential Guests or Volunteers can be handled by telephone. We especially prefer that all prospective volunteers have a telephone interview.
- 3) Tours of Property: All Guests or Volunteers to Hedonisia are to be given a basic tour of the property and its facilities. The tour should show the toilet, outdoor shower, sink area, refrigerator, food storage, propane stove, community food areas, computer, community phone, stereo, and VCR/DVD player and the Lodging Spaces which are not occupied. Try to give the Guests a choice of space if possible. If someone would like to look at the property, an appointment needs to be made. "Drop-ins" are not encouraged. The Crater can be shown to guests but they should be warned of the rough trail. We recommend hiking shoes if they would like to explore the crater.
- 4) Guest Arrivals: Greet guests on arrival days to give tour, and register. If Manager is not be on premises during this time, a Volunteer can be "deputized" to greet guests, give property tour and to register Guests. All Guests should be given a Registration Form and asked to fill out payment information. Please verify ID and that their signature is at the bottom of the Registration Form. Guests that have reserved through hostelworld.com must pay completely on day of arrival. Bookings spreadsheet should be updated showing that they have paid.
Volunteer Management
- 1. Volunteer timesheets are to be reviewed and discussed with each volunteer on an as needed basis.
- 2. Meeting should involve assessing time on worksheets, quality of work, and discussion of how volunteer is fitting in with community.
- 3. Discussion of quality of work should be addressed and volunteer can take this opportunity to present any ideas, concerns, and special projects privately.
- 4. Hours that Volunteers claim must be verified by checking on the work completed.
- 5. Update all projects as listed on the Hostel Project List and the Hedonisia Web Projects.
Security and Safety
As a Manager it is important to be on property during daylight hours. This is why we prefer Managers who have hobbies, artistic or work-related activities that require them to be on the property. A Manager can take private time when needed provided they arrange for a volunteer to stay on property to greet guests or run errands. If property has to be left without anyone on premises then gate at driveway should be locked and all guests and volunteers should be given combination to lock.
Managers are required to keep a daily log of the main highlights of each day when Mojo, the owner, is away from the property. This would include short notes on Check-ins, any problems, Volunteer-related issues.