Randwick Community Organic Garden Policy
Code of conduct: membership rules & responsibilities
THIS POLICY dates from October 2017
Purpose:
We wish to provide a harmonious, satisfying
environment where enjoyable learning occurs about organic
gardening using permaculture principles.
We are committed to sharing our knowledge and experience with others and to promoting public understanding of sustainable environmental practices.
Principles:
The garden is communal – it is a joint effort and all members are entitled and encouraged tocontribute to its operation and planning;
We strive to provide equal access to the garden to all, and respect majority decisions as thebasis of decision making;
Members are committed to working together to create a garden, using only organic methods, taking account of permaculture principles;
Members’ Responsibilities:
All RCOG members are expected to:
- Participate in at least 6 working bees per year and put their name on the attendance list for every working bee they attend;
- Attend and participate in the garden annual general meeting and seasonal meetings;
- Participate in the activities of their group(s), as organised by the group leader; participation inwater rosters in dry periods is especially important.
Maintain Good Garden practice
- Use water‐wise guidelines ; and organic principles – do not use fertilisers, insecticides or weed killers, unless certified organic;
- Take litter out of the garden and keep the garden tidy;
- Report vandalism to the garden ctte & ensure garden gates & shed are properly locked;
- Be responsible for the behaviour of their guests, including children;
- Harvest only product grown on their own allotment;
For fruit and vegetables grown in the common areas, common sense rules apply:
- The members who have sown, watered and looked after the produce have first priority in harvesting it
- harvests of common area produce usually takes place during a working bee when most members are present, and are then shared.
- No member should harvest all or most of a communal crop.
Allotment Holders’ Responsibilities:
Allotment holders are expected to:
- Participate in a minimum of six (6) monthly general working bees. This is a requirement to remain eligible as an allotment holder;
- Undertake an active service position in the garden. This is a requirement to remain an allotment holder;
- Pay membership fees on time. Non‐payment will result in the forfeit of a member’s allotment.
- Inform the Membership Coordinator if they will be away or otherwise unable to attend to their plot for an extended period. Unless otherwise arranged with the Coordinator, an allotment that is not regularly cultivated will have to be relinquished after six (6) months of disuse;
- Inform the Membership Coordinator if they intend to relinquish their plot so it can be passed on the waiting list.
Allotment management
- Maintain the allotment and the area immediately surrounding it (mulch pathways and keep the area litter and weed free);
- Minimise pests and weeds on the allotment to reduce spread to the rest of the garden;
- Pick ripe fruit to lessen the spread of fruit fly; if ripe fruit is not taken by the individual allotment holder, it is the responsibility of other members to ensure fruit is picked and disposed of;
- Improve the condition of soils within the allotment; do not use fertilisers, insecticides or weed killers, unless certified organic;
- Refrain from obstructing paths by storing materials on them;
New Members:
Attend three (3) Working Bees and a new member workshop before becoming eligible to join the waiting list for an
allotment.
All Members:
Have fun!