Re: Anecdotes for Diana Christians new book
From: Ann Zabaldo (zabaldoearthlink.net)
Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 09:20:23 -0700 (PDT)
On 5/31/06 12:08 PM, "Eris Weaver" <erisw [at] sonic.net> wrote:.
> 
> On this day, a woman in the front row eagerly threw her hand up in the
> air and asked the first question, "Will there be space to park our RV?"
> 
> I made great effort to control my facial muscles while I paused to craft
> a response. "Well....if THAT is your most pressing question for us, I
> suspect that this ISN'T the right community for you!"
> 
> *******************************************
> Eris Weaver                 erisw [at] sonic.net
> FrogSong
> Cotati, CA


Hi all -- I have to admit...I'm not sure why this is funny.  As a person w/
a wheelchair permanently in her future and who still wants to travel, an RV
is one of my options.  For large families it can be economical to use an RV.
Not all RV's are 30 ft long w/ bump out sides and colored oriental lanterns
strung across the side.

Is it funny because a person w/ an RV doesn't fit the cohousing "type?"  So
much for diversity, I guess.

Was the lady's question so much stranger than people who have asked me if
there is room to board their horse(s) or llamas?  (This was in a rural
community.)  Or in a more rural community right now that is struggling over
whether to allow a member to have a cow?  Or the myriads of people who have
asked me if cross-dressers, polyamorous families (spel?), gays, lesbians,
followers of various religious sects, tree worshippers, etc are welcomed?

My chief responsibilities as a professional building cohousing is marketing
and outreach.  I've been doing this since 1992.  I try to meet people where
they are in their dream about community.  Some are incredibly concerned
their dog, cat, gerbil, motorcycle club, gun collection, pagan or mainstream
religious rituals will not be allowed in cohousing and while I may
*personally* find these to be minor concerns (or even off the wall concerns)
in building a cohousing community (considering issues of financing,
permitting, neighborhood resistance, building codes, commercial kitchen
designation, construction delays, controlling cost increases, affordability,
accessibility, offering and managing options and upgrades etc. etc. etc. to
be slightly more "important") a person comes with what they come with.  My
job is to uncover their vision and desire for community.   It seems to me
this is all part of the diversity we all say we seek.

BTW -- in one community I was involved in the group set aside a screened
area in its parking lot to house RV's, camper trucks, boats, trailers, etc.

So, in the future, when I get this question (I'm sure it will come up
sometime) I hope I will be on my toes enough to find out something more
about the person and the RV.  Maybe she has a disabled family member.  Maybe
she just likes to go RV'ing.  She might just be the person who brings fun
and excitement into the community.  Maybe the RV doesn't have to be parked
on the premises at all.  If she's a person who would contribute to the life
of the community I'd be honored to find her a place to park her RV.

Now...let the conversation begin...  :-)

Best --

Ann Zabaldo
Principal, The Cohousing Collaborative
Cohousing Consultant
--Takoma Village
--Eastern Village
--Baltimore City
--Annapolis
--Concord Village

³The Road to Enlightenment is Long and Difficult...
So Bring Cookies and a Magazine.²

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