farmers market, beside the liquor store, between several coffee shops and pubs, and near the main bike trail that goes through town. For people to learn about the oven, and for all members of the public to participate, it must be in a visible area that is easy to access. ● Use what’s available . This pattern has many applications. For example, when choosing a location, we selected an area that had a public washroom nearby, electrical outlets, water access, and extra storage. When looking for building materials, we attended business incubation events and asked businesses directly in the community if they had things we needed; we were gifted $17,000 worth of rolling doors by doing this. We also have asked the community for numerous things we needed and we got them for free or for very little money. Be specific in what you are looking for and take the time to build relationships. Other Resources and Ovens ● The Park Avenue Community Oven (PACO) were incredibly helpful in the early stages of setup and were a big reason why our first year was so successful. Check them out: https://www.parkoven.ca ● Students from both Acadia University’s Community Development Department and Nutrition and Dietetics Department conducted research on community oven best-practices across Canada and examined how these practices could be applied to the Wolfville area. (See appendices.) Bookings Bookings can take a lot of time and coordination, especially if managing volunteers. Before getting the oven up and running, determine how you are going to manage bookings (assuming this is part of your model) and who is going to do this task. If at all possible, try and find a way to pay the person that will be managing bookings and volunteers as this can be at least a part time job if your oven is used often. Volunteer burnout is a real thing and should be factored into how bookings are managed. ● If yes to taking bookings, first determine your capacity. How many bookings can you handle? Making this decision in advance will help when people are asking to use the oven for various events. ● Consider having bookings far enough out that you can secure volunteers. (We recommend 3 weeks.) ● There are many online booking platforms that make it easy to schedule when the oven is available and then have the public book from their computer or phone. ● Try to have the bookings as automated as possible; it is worth taking some time in advance to figure out a system that is efficient, consistent, and accurate; think quick and easy, smooth and professional. ● Have an option to call somebody in case someone doesn’t have computer access or a way to pay electronically; try not to limit those that might want to participate. ● If there is a cost to booking the oven, consider using a sliding scale; this allows for people with less expendable income, along with more affluent people, to pay a cost that is relative to what they are able to pay. Choosing an online booking platform. There are many options available online. Some of them are free and others have an associated cost that can sometimes offer up more options. The Front Street Community Oven decided to use Square Appointments as it met our general criteria, but you might choose something else that better fits your needs. Considerations ● Online payments (credit card, paypal, e-transfer). Option for different pricing. ● Appointment scheduler with calendar. Ability to block off time, etc. ● Automatic emails (drafted and based on specific actions). Send out reminders leading up to the event, details about the booking, etc. 6
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