Proposal: Intern Process
Written by GPaul
Approved 9/7/08
Preamble:
My aim with this policy was to concoct a process that can respond dynamically to the relationship between interns and the community. In the case of a person who simply wants to come and work here it provides a minimal process while still providing a framework that actively opens the floor to possible concerns on a regular basis. The conversation rich nature of the clearness process provides the flexibility for discussing and addressing a person’s changing intentions about internship and membership at Acorn. The clearness process also provides a forum for the inclusive discussion and resolution of concerns. Additionally, if there is not much to discuss or much or any concerns to resolve and people don’t carry on unnecessarily the clearness process could consume very little time.
Policy:
Interns apply, are sent information and a questionnaire, their responses are posted publicly, and in the absence of a community decision otherwise, are accepted and scheduled at the discretion of the visitor liaison(s) checking the email.
Members or interns who have concerns about any prospective interns are expected to voice those concerns to the visitor liaison who has been in communication with them. If the concerned resident and the visitor liaison are unable to resolve the concern then said concern should be brought to the community for consideration.
Interns are, as a default, automatically approved for one month of internship. At any point they may request an extension. At the end of one month a review shall be conducted to investigate whether the intern and the community want to continue the internship. At this point they shall be approved for no longer than 2 additional months (for a total of 3 months of internship). At any point they may request an extension. At the end of the third month a review shall be conducted to investigate whether the intern and the community want to continue the internship. At this point they shall be approved for no longer than 3 additional months (for a total of 6 months of internship).
No internship shall last longer than 6 months (except by super special exception). At the end of 6 months the intern may apply for full or associate membership immediately. They may reapply for another internship after an absence of two months.
Review:
The review shall be conducted in the clearness format but will be more limited and more expedited than a membership clearness. Since interns do not form part of the decision making body concerns about their part in our consensus process do not need to be resolved (but may be expressed if they seem relevant, i.e. if the intern is considering membership in the future). Also, since interns have a residency of a very limited time frame, concerns about long term residency do not need to be resolved (but may be expressed if they seem relevant, i.e. if the intern is considering membership in the future). Hopefully, the circumscribed nature of the intern’s relationship to the community will make the clearness process less time consuming (and less personally challenging for those who feel personally challenged by such things).
