Robin, WWOOF Canada’s Executive Director here. I think that WWOOF is more than just an organization – it is a movement, a perspective, and a community. A movement dedicated to promoting ecological growing methods through hands-on learning. A perspective that if you bring people together for an exchange based solely on mutual trust and respect that they will create bonds that will last a lifetime. And a community of people dedicated to and connected through these shared ideals.
I see our role at WWOOF Canada as supporting and protecting these three things. Luckily, they are all so intertwined that by supporting one, you necessarily support the others.
How are we doing this?
During the past four years, WWOOF Canada has created a number of new resources designed to support the community by emphasizing our perspective and thus fueling the movement. These resources are both ideological and instructional. They try to communicate WWOOF’s perspective and mission, while also providing WWOOFers and hosts with clear guidance to help them have the best possible experience.
For example, during the past few years, we have made numerous improvements to our Host Approval Process. We felt this was incredibly important because, while WWOOFers typically remain members for just one year, hosts often stick with us for many years. Now, whenever a new host signs up, we carefully review their profile, verify their ID, ask them to sign our Respectful Relationships Agreement, and chat with them during a 30-minute phone call. These steps help us to ensure that potential hosts are the right fit, but also that they have all the resources they need to succeed.
For WWOOFers, three years ago, we launched the WWOOFing 101 Webinar, which offers an educational introduction to the WWOOFing experience. This webinar covers everything from the program’s core values to tips on how to make the most of the opportunity. It also allowed us to properly explain the challenging aspects of WWOOFing and steer away those who might not be the right fit.
To further support all members, this past fall, we introduced the WWOOFer Welcome Package and Host Welcome Package. These resources offer guidelines on best practices, safety protocols, and advice on fostering a positive atmosphere. It acts as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about WWOOFing or hosting. We hope that folks have found it helpful!