1. From Newcomer to Aurovilian
How does an applicant aspiring to join Auroville proceed?
It is important to note that an applicant has 2 phases before he/she is confirmed as an Aurovilian. This is a process that may take up to a year and half. It is the time when one integrates within the community and discovers whether one is willing to participate actively in the realisation of the goal of Auroville.
Thenamesandpurposeofthe two phases are:
•ExplorationPhase: a short period to ensure that the applicant has had some experience of Auroville before starting their admission process; (for example, one could have been a frequent visitor during the past year/s, a guest who has resided in Auroville for more than a few weeks at a time, or a volunteer residing in Auroville, who wishes to join Auroville as permanent resident of Auroville).
•Newcomer Phase: to assure that the applicant experiences what it means to be part of Auroville as a committed and actively engaged resident of Auroville.
Describedbelowis a step-by-step process that covers the two phases leading up to joining
Step 1 - Contacting the Entry Service office:
1a. An applicant contacts the Entry Service office where the Entry Secretariat will register him /herto attend a Welcome Talk. The Welcome Talk is a first information talk;
1b.The applicant submits 2 support letters from Aurovilians (registered in the Register of Residents, Auroville Foundation) to the Entry Secretariat.
1c. The Entry Secretariat will register the applicant for an introduction and orientation programme (this programme is called the Yucca Programme). It is advised and required that an applicant attend this programme before the Newcomer process can begin;
1d. The Entry Secretariat will then provide the applicant with an Application Form; the applicant is to fill this form and mention his / her chosen Mentor;
1e.The Entry Secretariat will provide the applicant with a second Mentor after which the applicant and both Mentors will meet each other;
1f.After the above is completed, the Entry Secretariat will invite the applicant for a meeting with the Entry Board and the two Mentors.
Step 2 – Meeting of Applicant, the Mentors and the Entry Board:
2a. The applicant and the two Mentors will then meet with the Entry Board for an interaction; 2b. The applicant will be given a Letter of Recommendation for an Entry Visa for India (for foreign nationals).Foreign nationals will most likely be required to leave India and return to
Aurovillewith an Entry Visa;
2c. The applicant will be announced as a potential Newcomer in the weekly bulletin called the News and Notes to inform the community and to seek its feedback for a 2-week period.
Step 3 – Informing the community and taking their feedback:
3a. The feedback will be received by the Entry Service. The Entry Board and the 2 Mentors will process this feedback, after which a decision will be made as to whether to confirm the applicant as a Newcomer or not. The Entry Board will keep the applicant informed and involved throughout this process;
3b.Theapplicant will be announced as a confirmed Newcomer, or in the case that his / her application has been declined, the applicant will be invited and given an explanation.
Step 4 – Newcomer Period begins:
4a. The Entry Secretariat will invite the confirmed Newcomer and provide him / her with the Newcomer Kit. A Newcomer Kit is a file with paperwork to be filled by the confirmed Newcomer;
4b.The applicant is to submit all relevant documents within the mentioned time-frame asdescribedintheNewcomerKit;
4c. During the Newcomer period (which is a minimum of 12 months and not exceeding 18 months), it is recommended that the Newcomer has regular meetings with his / her Mentors, and attend the Aspiration programme.
4d. If during the Newcomer period the Newcomer, or his / her Mentors and / or the Entry Board agree that the Newcomer is not ready to join Auroville as an Aurovilian, the Newcomer process will either be discontinued, extended or the Newcomer might be recommended for another more appropriate status.
Please note:during the Newcomer period it is essential that one finds
- workand/orserviceand
- accommodation,both,inAuroville.
In case the Newcomer has to leave Auroville, it is essential to inform the Entry Secretariat, one’sMentors and the Residents’Service of the departure. In the case that an applicant or Newcomer needs to leave Auroville (from 1 to 3 months at a time) for personal reasons, the Entry Board together with the Mentors will put the Newcomer process on hold. The duration of time that the Newcomer has been out will then be added to the Newcomer period upon the Newcomer’sreturn.
In the case that an applicant is absent for more than 3 months, the Entry Board together with the Mentors may decide to either cancel his / her Newcomer process or choose to further extend it.
Step 5 – Newcomer Period comes to an end:
5a. At the end of the Newcomer period, the Entry Secretariat will request the Newcomer to update the information furnished in the Newcomer Kit;
5b.Thetwo Mentors will be required to give their recommendation to the Entry Board; the Entry Secretariat may remind the Mentors of the same,
5c. After the updating of the information by the Newcomer and upon receiving theMentors’recommendation, the Entry Secretariat will invite the Newcomer, together with his/her Mentors to meet the Entry Board.
Step 6 - Informing the community and receiving their feedback:
6a. The Newcomer will then be announced as potential Aurovilian in the weekly bulletin, News and Notes, for feedback (over 4 weeks) from the community;
6b.Thefeedback will be received by the Entry Service. The Entry Board and the 2 Mentors will process this feedback, after which a decision will be made as to whether to confirm the Newcomer as an Aurovilian or not. The Entry Board will keep the applicant informed and involved throughout this process;
6c. The outcome:
• If accepted, the Newcomer will be announced as a confirmed Aurovilian;
• If declined, the Newcomer will be invited to meet the Entry Board where the Newcomer will be informed about the decision and why it was made. The individual will be given an opportunity to respond. The Newcomer may reapply to join as a Newcomer after aperiod of time stipulated by the Entry Board;
• The Newcomer may also be recommended for another status better suitable for the Newcomer by the Entry Board.
Step 7 – Aurovilian: this ends the Newcomer process for someone applying to join Auroville as an Aurovilian
7a. The Entry Secretariat will invite the confirmed Aurovilian to sign the B-Form, thereby requesting the Secretary, Auroville Foundation, to include his / her name in the Register of Residents;
7b.The Aurovilian will now have the option to sign up for anauroville.org.inemail id and an ID card.
