Employment Letter

Dear potential colleague and friend,

            Greetings. Thank you for contacting us. We write this letter to share more about the place, ourselves, and the work here. There is also considerable information about the spirit of Rowe Camp & Conference Center in the other material that is enclosed. We're aware that working at Rowe is not for everyone. It's more than a job. It is a commitment to the vision to create a better world through the programs we offer and a commitment to the work that we do to support that vision. Rowe is a service driven organization and we are looking for people who are interested in leading a life of service. 

            We operate a summer camp that has been here since 1924, and a conference center that has been here since 1974. We are affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, a liberal Protestant church, though we don't push our religion in any way, nor is it necessary to be Unitarian Universalist to work here. It is essential that you be open minded and tolerant of a wide variety of different approaches to life and to realize that we are a non-profit organization performing an important service. We expect our staff to be committed to that work and to be gracious and helpful with our guests, as their happiness and willingness to return assures our survival.

            People come to our center to learn something, to share an experience, to grow and develop themselves. We don't sell a product; we share an experience with people who come here. In the summertime we operate as a summer camp and have 64-80 young people here at a time for one-to-three week periods. The ages span from nine through nineteen, so it's necessary to have an interest in and respect for teenagers and the challenges they have growing up. Our camps and conferences attempt to develop community while respecting the rights of each individual. This dual approach is critical to understand. We expect and respect differences in our guests and our staff. We are idealists seeking to manifest a vision and a dream, with considerable success.

            Working at Rowe is a lot like working at a farm, but the chores are different. Some of us live and work in the same place, the work is never ending, and you can get called on to do an endless variety of tasks. We have ten full time staff here and up to seven work-study interns. Besides our regular jobs, we occasionally do group work projects like moving the kitchen twice a year, doing flyer and Centerpost mailing parties, supervising KP after meals, helping with food deliveries, cleaning out the barn, or other work as needed, so it is important to be in good physical condition. The magic of Rowe happens because we all pull together to make it happen.

            All staff participate in regular staff meetings and process meetings and we are committed to honest, open, and direct communication. Our intention is to live in a co-operative manner with respect for one another. Some of us see this as a religious or spiritual way of life, in a Gandhian mode, where politics and religion merge into one. It is not a requirement to hold such beliefs, but it is fair that you understand more of the rationale behind things like our modest pay scale, our work ethic, and our process work. We’re not a collective and don't make decisions by consensus. We follow more a partnership model of working  together and do have a hierarchy around decision making. We respect, encourage and value input from staff.

            We work because we believe in the work we’re doing rather than for the money. We expect a lot from those who work here, and are not interested in people who might say "That is not in my job description" or "I've worked enough for the money I get." We seek to provide for basic needs.

Some of us live here on the grounds and others receive a housing allowance and live elsewhere.  We pay a base salary of  $10,500 per year with yearly raises of $1,000 for the first two years and $500 a year after that, plus room and board or a housing allowance, paid vacation time, dental and health insurance, and the opportunity to attend many of our programs. Our room and board is comfortable, but we don't aspire to meet contemporary American standards of affluence. Indeed, in our more grandiose moments we fancy ourselves as pioneers of an alternative economic system. Our housing allowances are based on what it would cost to live in a similar style as our housing that we offer. Housing allowances will be discussed during the interviewing process. After you have been here one year, you will be eligible for our pension plan.

            We offer vegetarian food prepared by our cooking staff on the weekends, and occasionally during the week we buy fish or poultry. That is to say we are not rigid about our vegetarianism, but most of the food here is vegetarian and is also uncommonly delicious. For those who live on the grounds, meals are a part of your compensation. If you don't like what we serve or have particular dietary needs that are not part of what we regularly procure, you'll be required to pay for them yourself. During the week breakfast and lunch is catch-as-catch-can (i.e. you make your own). Each staff person takes a turn at cooking dinner for everyone during the week and we eat together. You generally are expected to cook once every two weeks for a group of 6 to 12 people.

            We live well, do not act or think poor, but also do not act or think rich.  We all work hard, and always have more that needs to be done than there is time in which to do it. If you don't keep up a relatively decent work pace, it is possible to fall hopelessly behind, with the attendant anxieties and frustrations. That is why we need mature, skilled, and experienced people to fill our positions. If one of us doesn’t have good work habits and doesn’t keep on the job in a reasonable way, it soon becomes obvious to everyone. That’s the way it is in a small  group like ours. We don't have time sheets. Everyone routinely gets two days a week off, but occasionally there are times when that doesn't happen.

            We live close to the center of a small New England town a few miles from Vermont. It is quite beautiful here, and our property is next to a fourteen hundred acre town forest held in trust forever wild. Our lives are an odd mix of rural and urban, in that each weekend we play host to 20-120 people from all over New England, New York, and New Jersey. Our workshops are quite stimulating and attendance at some of them is a primary perk of the job here. It is important that you read over the enclosed brochure and newspaper, as well as the mission statement, vision statement, pet policy, and interactional agreement. They will give you a good idea of what we are about and whether you are enough in harmony with what we’re about to want to be here. If you don't feel inspired by what we are doing, it makes little sense to move out here and take on the responsibilities of working here.

            This is more than a job, it is a way of life, or as some of us would say, a means for right livelihood. Living and working with the same people  calls for a high degree of maturity, acceptance, and tolerance. Without that it can be a very difficult place to be. We ask that you carefully consider whether this is the place for you before agreeing to come here. All of this should give you a taste of what it might be like.

            We are united by the shared interest of making Rowe Camp & Conference Center the best it can possibly be. Our vision is to live what we teach. We see ourselves as part of the personal and planetary transformation that is taking place in our society and the center is the vehicle through which we do that work. We are a group of  service minded individuals, united by our shared commitment to the work that we do.  

            We need staff who are willing to share in the vision and the responsibility of holding this magical place in trust. To live and work here is intense. It calls for a full commitment to the work. When it works for you, the rewards are rich and deep. If  you share our values and you’re interested in being considered for a position on staff, please send us a resume and a letter telling us about yourself and why you feel called to be here.

Respectfully and in peace, 

                                                                                    Felicity Pickett                                   

                                                                                    Director

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Rev. Douglas Wilson –
Executive Director

Douglas Wilson is a Unitarian Universalist minister. In 1971 as a young assistant minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brooklyn, NY, he had come to Rowe to be the assistant director of Junior High Camp, and was profoundly touched by the Rowe Spirit. In 1973, he left Brooklyn and set off hiking the Appalachian Trail in an effort to come to know his country in a deeper way. Stopping to visit a ministerial friend, Holly Bell of Benrnardston, MA, he learned that the camp had just acquired the Sibley Farm and he was offered the job of caretaker for the winter.

Being possessed of youthful energy and a certain entrepreneurial spirit, the young minister saw an opportunity to share the wonderful energy he had found at Rowe Camp with adults. He saw an opportunity to create something new, something that had not existed before. He loved the woods, creeks, lakes, and mountains and was not anxious to return to the urban or suburban areas where most UU churches were located. So when he was offered a free hand to create a center in the way he thought best, he accepted. He became the camp manager, the director of Junior High Camp and the founder and director of Rowe Conference Center.

One of the central tenets of Unitarian Universalism is that each person needs to discover the truth for him or herself and that truth varies from person to person. Douglas created a community ministry with a vision of providing a space for exploring new avenues, new vistas, new ways of seeing the world, endeavoring to give people the respect and the space they deserve and need to be able to form their own opinions and values. Over three decades later, Douglas is still living that vision.

Executive Director job description

Felicity Pickett -
Director

Felicity Pickett came to Rowe in 1991 and quickly showed us she knew how to work and knew how to make organizations work. Prior to coming to Rowe, she was a social worker and directed a large child care system for Catholic Charities. She began at Rowe as the Office and Finance Manager and held the positions of Camp & Conference Center Manager and Director of Operations before becoming Director in 1996.

She is an introvert and prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but she is the one who cares for Rowe on a daily basis, keeping her eye on the day-to-day, month-to-month, year-to-year details and rhythms. She is creative and resourceful and has kept Rowe on solid financial footing. She is an idealist and visionary. A central figure in fostering the community that lives at Rowe, she created the work-study internship program and initiated the Woodside Diversity Program. In recognition of her work, she became the Director of Rowe Camp and Conference Center some years ago. Rowe is a better place for her commitment and her skills.

Director job description

This Could Be You!
 

Facilities Manager job description

Kathe Camara
Kitchen Manager/ Head Chef

Kathe first came to Rowe for a mid-wifery workshop in 1984 as a single parent with her 2-year-old in tow. She has a vivid memory of Jacob on the rocking horse in the Rec Hall and a vague memory of processing a case of broccoli as a participant in the barter program. It was her first introduction to quantity cooking.

After the birth of her second son in 1989, a long awaited opportunity pre­sented itself. She apprenticed at the side of a very experienced cook and mentor at the Essex Retreat and Con­ference Center in Essex. MA. "There I experienced my first successes and fail­ures - how understanding and appre­ciative the guests were, how unlike my family who complained regularly at the vegetables and odd stews before them at many a meal. I was hooked. I had a gift, a talent. It was well received and so I pursued that path through the years."

In 1993, Kathe dove into the kitchen at a newly formed family camp in Vermont - Camp Common Ground. The fare was vegetarian with fresh baked bread, and whenever possible, local, organic food. Over the years she poured heart and soul into the CCG kitchen, winning rave reviews for both food and atmosphere. It was always a disappointment when the season ended, so when she saw that the position of Kitchen Manager was open in the spring of 2004, she jumped at the opportu-nity to cook and manage the kitchen here at Rowe - full time, year round.

Kitchen Manager job description

Linda Miller
Office/Finance Manager

Linda Miller joined the Rowe staff in 2007.   She and her daughter, Jane both had attended Rowe camps and programs in the past.  Linda had been investigating opportunities for living in community for several years. While walking down the corridor at Murray Unitarian Universalist Church in Attleboro, MA one day, she discovered a flier announcing an opportunity to live and work at Rowe.  Working at Rowe combines her interests in working for what she believes in, living in community and having the opportunity to learn from many different teachers.  Nurturing the “Rowe Spirit” lets her minister to all those around her, campers, staff, and workshop presenters alike.

Linda’s dog, Maggie is the office dog, a position she fulfills with great affection and grace. 

Office Manager job description

Joan Lager – Finance Coordinator/Development Assistant

Joan found her way to Rowe by way of other UU camps. Joan attended AMUUSE, a Unitarian Universalist camp for singles in 1992. She became secretary of the organization and directed several camps for AMUUSE. She also became the administrative assistant for the Council of Unitarian Camps and Conferences (of which Rowe is a member) and held this position for three years.

When Joan married, she and her husband Jon wanted to continue their wonderful camp experiences, so they created a camp for both single and married adults. Saug-for-All (www.saugforall.org) will celebrate its 8^th year this summer. Sadly, Jon passed away in the spring of 2002. With her daughter Megan in college, Joan found herself at a turning point in her life.

Being in line with Rowe’s mission and wanting to experience life living in an intentional community, Joan moved to Rowe from Indianapolis in February, 2005. Joan has the dual position of finance coordinator and development assistant. When she’s not busy writing checks and making deposits, she is sending out thank you gifts to our donors.

Finance Coordinator job description

Deb Lively – Head of Maintenance

Deb, who joined the maintenance/facility team in December of 2004, is no stranger to the area. She has lived in the western part of Franklin County, where Rowe is situated, all of her life. She and her husband Jim have three children. Joe is a 2004 graduate of UMass-Amherst and is now living and working in Madison, Wisconsin. Abby will graduate from UMass in 2006. She has her eye on medical school and is hoping to specialize in endocrinology. Andrew is a junior at Franklin County Technical High School.

Deb is a master wood-carver. Her bowls and other artifacts are works of art. Among her other jobs, she was an instructional aide at the elementary school in our neighboring town of Heath. Her skills came in handy when the kids built a Longhouse as part of a curriculum unit on Native Americans from this region.

“Working at Rowe Camp has provided me with a tremendous amount of variety and challenges to see who I am and what my worth is and to assist people in their like endeavors even if it’s simply to add a little humor to a situation. Working with volunteers, particularly work week volunteers is always inspiring. I love seeing someone try something they have never done before and feeling that sense of accomplishment at moving beyond what they thought they were capable of doing. And that’s what it’s about for me.”

Head of Maintenance Job Description

John Balchunas – Guest Facilities Coordinator

Supporting Rowe Camp, the Community that it strives for, and the nourishing programs hosted here meets Johno’s need to support healing work for each other and the Earth and to live in an ever deepening communion with the spirit of life – not quite what you might expect from an Electronics Engineer who, in his 30-year career, has designed Night Vision equipment for the Military. Or is it? His transformation has included work as a Counselor at Aloha Camp and at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee VT, Relief Staff at the Orange-Athol Family Shelter, and Volunteer at the Literacy Project in Greenfield.

In his time at Rowe, Johno has bridged the realms of maintenance and housekeeping. After bartering and working as a volunteer, he joined the staff in the summer maintenance position in June of 2005 and now works as Guest Facilities Coordinator, maintaining the cleanliness of our buildings, and preparing our guest beds like gift-wrapped presents.

In Johno’s words, “as I turned onto King’s Highway Road for the first time, past the entwined silver flows of a Goddess Waterfall and a receiving line of wooded elders, my spirit calmed and whispered…we’re home.”

Guest Facilities Coordinator job description

This position is available now.

Diane Kostreba – Associate Chef

Diane came to fill the position of Associate Chef in April of 2007, but she isn’t new to Rowe. She had worked as a summer cook in 2005 and 2006 and will be heading up the summer kitchen this summer.

Diane is a massage therapist as well as an excellent cook. She has done a lot of traveling over the years. Though she grew up in Massachusetts, she really doesn’t like New England winters, anything less than 85 degrees is cold to her. She spent the last three winters living in Goa, India and traveling throughout India.

She is a world traveler and doesn’t like to stay in any one place too long. She has lived in and/or visited: India, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand, Bali, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Bali, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

We are happy that her travels have also brought her to Rowe Camp and Conference Center.

Associate Chef job description

Arulamma Bouthonis – Marketing Coordinator

Marketing Coordinator

After spending the last 4 years coordinating customer care in Delaware for a national construction company, it became increasingly obvious to Arulamma that a change was needed. Through a friend who had been a conference presenter at Rowe for several years, she found we were looking for someone to fill a position in the office. Hearing stories of how beautiful and inspiring it was, she felt it would be an ideal setting to make a change and rejuvenate the spirit. So site unseen she and her husband Bhaskar sold all of their possessions and moved to Rowe for a trial week.

“I thought that I would miss the ocean but I love the peace and majesty of the mountains where you meet a river around almost every curve. Every day I find another wish being met; from living and working in this amazingly beautiful setting to being able to exercise simply by walking around the camp”

Arulamma, whose name means “mother filled with grace”, has spent most of the last 35 years living and working at the Satchidananda Ashram in central Virginia. There she held many varied positions: landscape designer and gardener, secretary for LOTUS, their ecumenical shrine, receptionist, head cook, guest services, special program facilitator, and Ashram manager. She has also spent many years teaching yoga as well as developing and teaching prenatal, labor & postpartum yoga teacher training programs.

She has a daughter, Padma who is living in Gaithersburg MD and works for CASA as their case manager. Her husband Bhaskar is also working here at Rowe as a cook in the kitchen.

Marketing Coordinator Job Description

Rebecca Bradley – Registrar

Becky moved to the town of Rowe from Norton, MA in December of 1992. She was told that the best way to meet people when you move to a new place is to volunteer. She had been attending the Unitarian Church in North Attleboro and had heard about Rowe Camp and Conference Center, so that is where she began.

She started out as a volunteer in the spring of 1993, helping out in the office by covering the phones while staff was in staff meeting. That led to a part-time job as development assistant. She’s done a little bit of everything: development, marketing, bookkeeping, and general office work. Becky is now a part-time staff person and works in the office. She is also the camp registrar and processes all the camp registrations and related paperwork.

Becky lives in town with her husband Mike and her three sons, Tim, Pat, and Ken. She runs the bed and breakfast Maple House, which she stated in November of 1993. Her very first guests were a couple attending a Rowe conference.

Becky has been working at Rowe for fourteen years now. She says, “Where else could I snowshoe to work through the woods with my dog, have wonderful food available for my lunch and great people to work with in a relaxed atmosphere? Besides, I may never have to wear stockings again.”

Registrar Job Description

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