COMMUNITY HOSTS

Needed: Community Hosts
Type: volunteer or stipend, see below
Organization: Warming Circles – Circulate
Location: Port-Williams, near Wolfville & Kentville, Nova Scotia (onsite)

Warming Circles is a project providing a wood-fired mobile sauna offering health benefits and community connection through thermal cycles. The project aims to inspire individuals and communities to gather in a peaceful warming space through the more sedentary, and difficult times of the year. 

Building on our Fall 2023 pilot initiative in Esoqwatik, Wolfville, Circulate had a tremendous impact as a community-facilitated sauna on participant’s mental wellness, sense of belonging, and more. You can find a report about the initiative on our website www.circulatecommunity.org. 

Community Hosts

The Role

Circulate Hosts are community-minded people passionate about the health benefits that a community sauna and the thermal cycle has to offer. The role is best suited for those wanting to serve the healing benefits of the thermal cycle experience to their communities on a casual basis. Hosts would be most suitable for students, retirees, anyone in transition or looking for supplemental income while benefiting themselves and others. Hosts can be volunteers or choose to receive a negotiated stipend. Hosts can hold sessions that are open to the public or they can lead sessions for their own communities needing safe contained space. We are looking for warm, friendly people who enjoy being of service. Hosts will receive training on the health and safety protocols and processes for hosting a welcoming and enjoyable group sauna.

Responsibilities

1. Gather groups of interested people from your community that would benefit from the thermal cycle in a community setting. Or host an open public session.
2. Communicate and coordinate scheduling with the Community Care and Engagement Coordinator.
3. Prepare materials and set up sessions.
4. Be a welcoming, friendly, warm, supportive presence to visitors.
5. Ensure safety and sanitation protocols.
6. Explain processes and procedures to visitors.
7. Ensure materials are replenished, water, tea, steam and fire keeping.
8. Time keeping and guiding visitors along.

Qualifications

• Ability to withstand hot and cold environments with some ease. 
• Comfortable around plant essences.
• Comfortable being in front of people, being open, receptive and assertive if needed.
• Ability to carry 40-50lbs. Some light bending required and walking outdoors. 

Assets

• Mindful, aware and considerate of others.
• Tuning into what is needed in an environment.
• Open to learning and receiving feedback and offering feedback to improve processes.

Compensation

Hosts can volunteer or can opt to receive a predetermined stipend negotiated beforehand. Hosts that commit to hosting 4 shifts over one month (once a week), receive a complimentary monthly membership for open community sessions. Shifts are 7.5 hours which include set up, hosting and clean up. All sessions include a host and one staff person present at all times (either the Coordinator or Director).

Circulate is committed to reflecting the multiplicity of the communities within which we work. We invite Indigenous Peoples, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities to apply. If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or CV and to share your pronouns. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly. If you possess 80% or more of the qualifications and have a genuine willingness to learn, we encourage you to submit an application!

This role is open on an ongoing basis over the 5 month period until capacity is reached. We will offer training once a month. 

Application 

If this feels like an exciting opportunity email your CV and cover letter to circulatecommunity@gmail.com .  Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

About Circulate

Circulate is a non-profit organization on a mission to foster connection, belonging, and wellness offering affordable and accessible experiences through thermal bathing. The community sauna serves as a hub for rest and renewal in an inclusive social atmosphere. We strive to make holistic community health and well-being accessible to everyone regardless of their background or circumstances with our organizational culture centred on our purpose and values.

Our team currently consists of an Executive Director, and Board of Directors. In 2024, we are cultivating an advisory circle and  team of hosts from various communities to lead sessions for their communities. We are innovating in the social impact space in the Atlantic region, creating a model that promotes the health benefits of community saunas and thermal cycling (hot and cold therapy) practice. We offer saunas in a variety of settings to reach people experiencing barriers to wellness and access to wellness, including rural communities.

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Sustainability

Circulate is a non-profit organization nurturing community well-being through accessible and inclusive thermal nature bathing experiences. At Circulate, we believe in returning care to the Earth and in turn the community because Earth is constantly providing and caring for us. We believe in contributing to a sustainable future for both planet and people.