CONTEXT
The Rosseau Retreat comprises 50 acres of a 100 acre farm, previously run as The Hekkla Valley Farm. The farm obtained revenues from a number of sources, including agriculture, apiary, maple syrup, and vineyard. The farm was purchased in May of 2017 by Joe Tortolo, as a part of a broader community vision to create a consciously managed, self-sustaining community, with several hubs. The Administrator of the property is the Inner Arts Collective, a conscious coworking community in Toronto which has an established reputation of integrity among independent healing arts practitioners and their clients.
VISION
Our vision is to create a self-sustaining, eco-conscious community hub where healing occurs through deep connection with ouselves, the earth and eachother.
VALUES
The Rosseau Sanctuary is an initiative coordinated and administered by the Inner Arts Collective. More than just a retreat centre or a space to do business, the Rosseau Sanctuary nested in the broader understanding and the values:
These values take priority over individual needs, as we believe they are paramount to creating a sustainable community.
- eco-consciousness,
- sustainability,
- bio-mimicry,
- collaborative economy,
- community,
- reciprocity,
- honouring our ancestors and the ancestors of the land, and
- respecting one another, across healing disciplines and traditions.
These values take priority over individual needs, as we believe they are paramount to creating a sustainable community.
FRAMEWORK
The Rosseau Sanctuary works through the lens of Sustainable Community Development, which applies community capital and an ecological business mindset to fulfill it's vision.
As such, the governance of the Sanctuary is first seen within the context of it's MOU agreement with the property owner and community input through Planning Circles and the Board of Elders.
Memorandum of Understanding
The Inner Arts Collective is in agreement with the property owner Joe Tortolo, and John Sargent of our Board of Elders. The IAC has agreed to develop a healing space on the area of the property which lies North of the river, totalling 25-30 acres of a 100 acre lot. Inquiries related to the use of the sanctuary property can be made to the Inner Arts Collective. Major decisions will be discussed within the IAC community, Joe Tortolo, and the Board of Elders.
Role in Community
The property owner is very inspired to create an active and vibrant eco-conscious community, using other land he stewards in the area. The Inner Arts Collective / Rosseau Sanctuary understands that it is a part of this larger community vision, and within this broader vision there is the opportunity for micro-businesses such as growing operations, eco-community builds, maple syrup production, wilderness training, permaculture training, etc. While the Sanctuary represents the healing component of this broader vision, it looks forward to collaborating with the other players of the broader community, and thus respectful rapport with our neighbours and those involved in projects on other aspects of this community initiative is a priority. Proposals and discussions for collaboration between the sanctuary and other community projects are encouraged!
Governance
In the fall of 2017, a community consultation was conducted to learn how to create healing space for different traditions. The results of this community consultation is a manifesto of sorts, which is currently being drafted for completion in Spring of 2018. Once the draft is completed, it will be circulated for community input and then finalized as a governance document. The governance document will outline certain decisions to made in council by Planning Circles, and while some of these Members have already been recruited, a more concentrated effort at recruitment for these Planning Circle members will begin in Summer of 2018.
As such, the governance of the Sanctuary is first seen within the context of it's MOU agreement with the property owner and community input through Planning Circles and the Board of Elders.
Memorandum of Understanding
The Inner Arts Collective is in agreement with the property owner Joe Tortolo, and John Sargent of our Board of Elders. The IAC has agreed to develop a healing space on the area of the property which lies North of the river, totalling 25-30 acres of a 100 acre lot. Inquiries related to the use of the sanctuary property can be made to the Inner Arts Collective. Major decisions will be discussed within the IAC community, Joe Tortolo, and the Board of Elders.
Role in Community
The property owner is very inspired to create an active and vibrant eco-conscious community, using other land he stewards in the area. The Inner Arts Collective / Rosseau Sanctuary understands that it is a part of this larger community vision, and within this broader vision there is the opportunity for micro-businesses such as growing operations, eco-community builds, maple syrup production, wilderness training, permaculture training, etc. While the Sanctuary represents the healing component of this broader vision, it looks forward to collaborating with the other players of the broader community, and thus respectful rapport with our neighbours and those involved in projects on other aspects of this community initiative is a priority. Proposals and discussions for collaboration between the sanctuary and other community projects are encouraged!
Governance
In the fall of 2017, a community consultation was conducted to learn how to create healing space for different traditions. The results of this community consultation is a manifesto of sorts, which is currently being drafted for completion in Spring of 2018. Once the draft is completed, it will be circulated for community input and then finalized as a governance document. The governance document will outline certain decisions to made in council by Planning Circles, and while some of these Members have already been recruited, a more concentrated effort at recruitment for these Planning Circle members will begin in Summer of 2018.