At Gaea Retreat Center, our strength has always come from the people who call this place home—season after season, gathering after gathering.
The Gaea Advisory Council was created to honor that truth, giving space for volunteers, organizers, past leaders, and engaged community members to help shape the future of our shared sanctuary.

This council isn’t about titles or power—it’s about connection. It’s a space where lived experience meets fresh ideas, where challenges are met with creativity, and where every voice has the chance to be heard. By working alongside Earth Rising’s Board of Directors, the Advisory Council helps turn community insight into meaningful action, ensuring that Gaea’s spirit continues to thrive for generations to come.

If you’ve ever felt a pull to contribute your time, wisdom, or vision for this land and its people, the Advisory Council is your invitation to step in, speak up, and help shape what comes next.

Outdoor scene with six chairs arranged around a fire pit on a grassy area under large leafy trees, with a cloudy sky in the background.
Advisory Council Guidelines — Gaea Retreat Center

Gaea Retreat Center

Advisory Council Guidelines

Effective Date: August 3, 2025

The Gaea Advisory Council is a non-voting group that bridges Earth Rising’s Board with the wider Gaea community—bringing together volunteers, organizers, and community members to share ideas, build connection, and inform Board discussions.

  • Amplify community voices
  • Collaborative think tank for events, site development & programs
  • Review grassroots ideas before Board review
  • Foster bonds between leadership, organizers, volunteers
  • Preserve institutional memory through lived experience
Composition & Eligibility
  • 9–15 members total
  • Minimum 3 core volunteers
  • At least 1 teen (13–18), selected by Board
  • Current Board President (non-voting facilitator)
  • On-site Caretaker (non-voting advisor)
  • Mix of festival organizers, past board/staff, engaged community members
  • Must be ≥13 years, actively involved, commit to 1-year renewable term, and sign understanding statement
Selection & Term
  • Nominations by Board or Council
  • Board confirms by majority vote
  • 1-year term, renewable; vacancies filled with Board approval
Meetings
  • Monthly (in-person or virtual)
  • Extra meetings by President or majority
  • Quorum: 50%
  • Minutes shared with Board within 10 days
Decision-Making & Board Interface
  • Council can vote internally on recommendations
  • Board liaison presents motions to Board
  • Council is advisory only—no decision-making authority over staff, finances, or policy
Code of Conduct
  • Maintain confidentiality where appropriate
  • Speak respectfully, listen actively
  • Center community interest over personal agenda
  • Disclose and set aside conflicts of interest
  • Avoid gossip, lateral harm, or undermining
  • Uphold Gaea and Earth Rising values

Violations may lead to Board-approved removal.

Submitting a Topic

Submit ideas by:

  • Emailing advisory@gaearetreat.org with summary, context, and goal
  • Using the Council Topic Form on the website
  • Connecting with a current Council member to sponsor

Focus on solutions aligned with Gaea’s mission; be respectful and avoid duplicating existing efforts unless enhancing them.

Working Groups
  • Temporary task forces led by Council members
  • May include non-Council volunteers
  • Report progress at monthly meetings

This Council structure honors grassroots leadership, promotes transparency, and strengthens community stewardship of Gaea Retreat Center.