WANT TO GIVE BACK? BECOME AN ORIENT LAND TRUST (OLT) BOARD MEMBER:

OLT's current board of director's goal is to ensure that the vision and mission of OLT are met by working closely with OLT staff to keep things spinning like a smooth-running hydro generator creating energy that electrifies all visitors! Perhaps this season may include you applying to be on the Orient Land Trust executive board.

It is our honor to encourage interested OLT members, volunteers, and committee members to consider applying to become a future board member. Please consider submitting a letter of interest for serving as an OLT board member and an updated resume. In your letter of interest please share your experiences you may have had with nonprofits (including volunteer boards), fundraising, finance, committee work, and volunteerism. Most importantly, please share your own experiences in respect to Valley View and the OLT and why you have the desire and skill set to give back.

All board applications are taken very seriously by the Governance Committee, so please do not let any obstacle (age, gender, disability, etc.) keep you from applying. You may email your letter of interest, resume and any questions you might have about the application process to .

We look forward to hearing from you!

Submitted by Jon Florey, co-chair of the Governance Committee and Jim Manley, co-chair of the Governance Committee.

Learn More...

The Orient Land Trust learning curve can be steep for members who are curious about the scope of OLT (it's so much more than soaking pools). Here are some fun ideas for discovering what Orient Land Trust board candidates may recommend as part of an OLT adventure.

There are adventures where you can learn more of the scope of OLT. Enjoy a tour of the ranch, gardens, and bats or take a hydro tour. Questions about the bioregion, wildlife, invertebrates, astronomy, water, mountain biking, and hiking trails or running an "off-grid" non-profit business begin at the Visitors Center. Educate yourself about the many layers of OLT by reading the informative OLT website.

Join a Committee...

Would you like to join an OLT committee? This is an excellent way to serve OLT and learn more about the operations of this non-profit enterprise. Contact a Committee Chair for more information if interested:

External Affairs (Outreach and Fundraising). Contact;
Internal Affairs (Finances & Human Resource). Contact;
Conservation (Resource and Protection) Contact;
Site Plan (Focus on Valley View). Contact;
Long Term Visioning (Future Direction) Contact;

Attend a Board Meeting...

Observing an Orient Land Trust board meeting is an informative way to learn if you may be interested in becoming a future OLT board member. You can find more specifics of when board meetings occur and expectations of being on the board at the OLT website. 
https://www.olt.org/get-involved/openings

YOU BRING IT, YOU TAKE IT HOME

We ask everyone to come pretty self-contained with food, drink, towels, robes; if you're camping, cookware and dishes. Hats are a great alternative to sunscreen. One particular item that people bring and tend to leave behind are pool toys and noodles. Please take them home with you.

We do our best to manage and dispose of recyclable materials responsibly, but it requires a tremendous amount of work and a trip across the Valley once a week; no one comes to pick it up for us. If you have a service or routine of recycling at home it would be greatly appreciated if you would take your recyclables when you leave.

Please separate food waste from trash. There are food scrap buckets in locations where there are trash bins. Food scraps in the dumpster attract, and create, nuisance wildlife. Food scraps are fed to the chickens so don't include eggshells; it teaches the chickens to peck the eggs they lay.

Thank you for doing your part.

One very familiar and welcoming face that is no longer going to be greeting guests is Cherrye's. She and husband Mike are relocating to Maine. They have both been an integral part of Orient Land Trust / Valley View Hot Springs. Those of you who know Cherrye may not be as familiar with Mike. You have surely enjoyed his contributions. He was a main builder of the Apple Tree ponds and the Round Bath / Kitchen house at the Everson Ranch. They both will be remembered and appreciated for all they have done and their kind and generous way of being.

Crystal is still stepping in to help when needed on the Front Desk, but her main focus is on becoming familiar with a myriad of tasks and abundance of knowledge that are a part of taking on her new position of Deputy Director.

All departments have welcomed new people in the last year. At the front desk and on the phone you will meet Mica, Melody, Nikki and Kate. Those who you may have talked to and been greeted by in years past that are still here are Jamie, Amory, Kelley, and Lisa.
Housekeeping has been joined by Rita and Melanie. Robin and Kate are the guiding force in this department.

Facilities and Maintenance has found strong and capable new help in Russ, Henry and Mica. Mark and Shannon continue on in maintaining our extensive facilities including the Hydro Electric system, Everson Ranch and Mt Springs properties. Mark, their fearless leader and ambassador extraordinaire, will be retiring at the end of the year. He is doing his best to make sure the complex and extensive knowledge of what keeps Valley View ticking is passed on and recorded.

Diane has joined Sabine at the Everson Ranch tending to the Chickens, garden and hoop houses, helping with events and maintaining the plants and yard around the Ranch buildings.

All of the electricity at the hot springs is supplied by a hydroelectric plant that has limited production capability. Our kilowatts are over allocated. Many people would like hot water in the pools all winter and we do our best to maximize the available power. Electric cars are increasingly prevalent. These may be helpful in reducing carbon emissions and slowing climate change. We are investigating some possibilities for electric car charging stations and would like to contribute to carbon free miles. One possibility is solar powered charging stations but we're not there yet. For the time being , we ask that you arrive with sufficient gasoline, diesel, or charged electric car batteries. The electricity produced here is precious and already called for. Neither can we be a gas station for those that neglect to fill up in town. Think ahead! When we get to the point where we can help, we'll let you know.