up:: La Finka - Internal Handbook
tags:: #handbook
owner:: @Niko
status:: #status/review

New Member Orientation Checklist

Welcome to La Finka! This checklist will help you get oriented, plugged in, and ready to grow with the community.

Use this as a reference when onboarding new volunteers, contributors, or long-term collaborators. Feel free to fork it for specific teams (e.g. Garden, Media, Events).

Step 1: Get to Know La Finka

• Read the Welcome Letter
• Review How La Finka Works
• Understand our Mission & Vision
• Skim the Handbook Index for how we’re organized
• Attend a community gathering or tour (e.g. Moon Boom, workday, co-work)

Step 2: Understand the Culture

• Review our Community Agreements & Code of Conduct
• Learn about our seasonal rhythm (Spring → Summer → Fall → Winter)
• Familiarize yourself with our consent-based and role-centered governance
• Understand how departments & roles work:
  • I. Agriculture & Land Stewardship
  • II. Infrastructure & Technology
  • III. Community & Culture

Step 3: Meet the People

• Introduce yourself in a group chat or shared channel
• Identify who your main contact or buddy is
• Ask about any upcoming workdays, events, or low-barrier ways to get involved
• Attend a Community Co-Work Day or Volunteer Meetup

Step 4: Pick a Path (or Two)

• Explore the Department & Role Directory
• Choose 1–2 areas you're curious about (e.g. composting, woodworking, documentation)
• Talk with the relevant steward or working group
• Ask how you can shadow or participate
• Sign up for a task, event crew, or garden session

Step 5: Access the Tools

• Request access to shared documents (Drive, Obsidian vault if needed)
• Learn how we use check-ins, sign-ups, and event calendars
• Bookmark our digital tools:
  • Obsidian Vault: Main Vault Index
  • Shared Calendar: [insert calendar link or vault reference]

Step 6: Stay Connected

• Subscribe to the newsletter or find your way into our signal thread
• Join any relevant group chats
• Come to a Moon Boom or planning meeting

Optional: Deepen Your Roots

• Propose a new idea, event, or improvement - Email us at lafinka@pm.me
• Contribute to documentation or gardening logs. This is all created in Obsidian
• Host a workshop or offer your skills
• Join the Banana Business Bureau or another standing group

This checklist is a starting point. Ask questions. Get messy. Make magic.

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