Songaia Community founder, Stan Crow passed away yesterday | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Craig Ragland (craigraglandgmail.com) | |
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:42:34 -0800 (PST) |
One of Songaia's beloved members, Stan Crow, passed away yesterday morning. Stan and his wife Carol Crow, along with Fred and Nancy Lanphear are the four people most responsible for articulating the vision of Songaia as a cohousing community in 1990. They defined our original, and still current, values statement. All four are extraordinary community builders who lead collaboratively, making space for others and have continued to provide critical leadership for many years. Stan was on the Songaia Navigators (our leadership team) when he passed. Songaia was just one of Stan's communities. He was the founder of the Rites of Passage Journeys, a non-profit which has operated on what is now Songaia's 11 acres as our cohousing community came into being. He was the president of Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church board of directors. He was also an Institute of Cultural Affairs colleague for decades. Stan was honored as a Songaia Elder a few years ago - and his life was well-celebrated while he was there to enjoy reconnecting with his many friends and wonderfully large family. On Saturday night, Songaia monthly circle addressed the past, present, and future of Songaia Community - in particular, we looked at our energy as a community; who we were/are/will be and how we were/are/will be as we share our lives. This two hour circle included 3 fish bowl conversations (two different people conversed about each topic with the whole community listening). Following the first and second fish bowl, everybody participated in dyad conversations. After the third we shared amongst the whole community. With families of 12 out of the 13 Songaia homes represented, this circle was particularly well attended. After our broad sharing, Stan and I closed the circle with a final fish bowl. We attempted to summarize and synthesize our Community's story. I see Stan's final living gift to Songaia as articulating three historic arcs for our community; - Inventing (1990-2000) - Growing (2000-2010) - Reinventing (2010 and beyond) Another metaphor used was Child, Adolescent, and Adult. As Songaia looks to its future, we may explore how we re-invent ourselves as a cohousing community able to act like an adult. Exactly what this looks like is unclear, but perhaps its about taking more responsibility? What does it mean, metaphorically, for a community to reinvent itself as an adult? Making a living? Raising children? I am so grateful for what Stan has meant to me, our family, and our community. At his core, he was a truly good man and an amazing community builder who deeply embraced life and everyone he encountered. Many of us, myself included, are experiencing deep grief. Together, with members of his other communities and family, Songaia members gathered for hours yesterday. And ours were not the only gatherings. I've been crying while writing this. Whether or not you were part of Stan's life, perhaps you can take a moment today to think about the good people who have had such positive effect on our many communities. In community, Craig Ragland Songaia member since 1992
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Songaia Community founder, Stan Crow passed away yesterday Craig Ragland, November 16 2009
- Re: Songaia Community founder, Stan Crow passed away yesterday PattyMara Gourley, November 16 2009
- Re: Songaia Community founder, Stan Crow passed away yesterday Ann Zabaldo, November 16 2009
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