Addition to Chapter 5

Joining the Team

Continuing from print page 52:

(I wondered if Scientology makes it a habit to suggest to people that they have certain conditions that don’t actually exist…and is Scientology all about making itself the solution to these nonexistent conditions? Figuring this out was going to be part of the journey. But now I would be called a pre-OT instead of a pre-Clear.) Continuing:

MY INTRIGUE WITH THE MYSTERIES of Scientology lured me to the next level of commitment—I signed a 2-½ year staff contract with the Valley Org. I started working for the Ethics Officer in the Hubbard Communications Office (HCO), filing reports in customer’s ethics files. Peter disagreed with me working at Valley. He didn’t like the demanding schedule that didn’t pay anything, nor did it fit with our lifestyle. Also, we wanted to transfer to Celebrity Centre. Had I remained a contracted staff member, I would have earned a percentage of Valley Org’s income based on the point value of my job. At that time, most full time staff worked about 60 to 80 hours per week, and made between $75 – $150 per week, but that was only if the org sold a lot of Scientology auditing, training and books. Many staff members lived communally to share expenses, childcare arrangements, and a common reality. That would not happen to me.

I told my supervisor that I had joined staff without having my husband’s agreement. My staff contract was cancelled, but not without a sober discussion with the Ethics Officer and administrators. Canceling a staff contract was a suppressive act, dealt with extreme measures such as a Scientology justice action called a Committee of Evidence that would publish the findings for public notice, with potential expulsion from Scientology. That would mean a complete disconnection between me and any Scientologist who knew me, starting with my husband. Because I had only been on staff about a week or so, I managed to avoid the brunt of these harsh policies, and remained in good graces.