Cohousing-L Mailing List: How many teams do you have?

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Short Version: How many teams does your community have, what tasks do  
they do, and how well does it work?

Long Version:

We started out with 3 teams: Admin, Community Life, and Facilities,  
and a Board of 9 members.

If everyone was actually on a team, each team would have almost 20  
members. But of 65 adult residents, less than 20 actually participate  
in team meetings -- although many more do some work and a few  
coordinate the work or other members.

Research has shown (I don't have the reference) that teams are most  
effective with 5-7 members. At least 5 provides the synergy for good  
problem solving. Over 7 means there is less room for people to  
participate.

In our community of 65 that would indicate closer to 8 teams. I think  
if we had this number, it would focus the teams' responsibilities more  
clearly. Some teams feel gridlocked with tasks that are too diverse to  
focus their efforts effectively.

In addition, more temporary task forces are being formed and asking to  
report to the Board rather than to Teams. The Teams are in general  
perfectly happy with this because they are overwhelmed anyway.

According to our decision-making policy, Teams report to the  
Membership, not the Board. Some believe Task Forces reporting to the  
Board gives the Board more influence than the membership intended for  
them to have.

A larger number of teams would mean we could have task defined teams.  
Maintenance &  Minor Repairs. Building Systems and Structure.  
Landscaping. Celebrations and Social Events. Community Living and  
Policies. Facilitation & Conflict Resolution. Contracts and Records.

How many teams does your community have, what tasks do they do, and  
how well does it work?

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