Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Managing the common house

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> 1. The heating and cooling system is fully adjustable to any
> individual's preference.

We have geothermal and two experts have advised us the system works  
best a set temperature. Summer temp works best at 74 but people do  
adjust it, though we have asked them not to.

> 2. The doors are left open all day and a few hours after dark.

We are urban and the doors are always locked unless there is a big  
event and people are coming and going a lot. They may also be propped  
open on a workday.

> 3. Kids are allowed to use the common house unsupervised.

Generally, yes. Older kids have the door code. Workshop and office  
are locked.

> 4. Any food in the refrigerator is free for the taking.

Food is marked. Otherwise available. Alcohol is in a fridge in  
another locked room at the request of parents with teens.

> 5. We have two guest rooms and charge nothing to guests.

We ask for a donation of $25, but it isn't pushed.

> 6. We have frequent public meetings and private social events and
> charge nothing to the sponsors.

Yes if no admission is charged. A member has to sponsor and supervise  
the meeting. If it is an office retreat or a large organization we  
may ask for a contribution or gift or volunteers on a work day, but  
there are no set amounts.

The feeling is that the common house is not a commercial space or a  
space open for rental. Community events always take precedence and if  
the calendar gets too full of "outside" events, people complain.

In the past we have decided not to allow outside events during  
holidays because they often schedule  months before we decide what we  
want to do. We want those times open for last minute gatherings.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing,Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org