Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: How do we hold each other accountable?

[Jeanne Goodman (goodmanj]

> Is it just easier to focus on work because it's easier to quantify?
> Or is it related to our culture's focus on work?

I agree that many of the non-work issues have natural consequences. If you
elect not to come to meetings you don't have as much say on the outcome. (We
have a rule that as a proposal moves forward the opportunity to make changes
or raise objections decreases.) If you don't lend onions you won't get
butter. If you don't participate you may get forgotten.

I do believe that it really does come down to fairness and each person's
perception of fairness. I have recently reached a delicately balanced zen
where I recognize that the people who are doing most of the work now will do
most of the work no matter what system we use. If people aren't
participating now it's not likely that holding them accountable will change
who does most of the work.

I try to be really reflective on my motivations in holding this philosophy
and have concluded that I waste too much personal energy being annoyed at
what someone else is not doing. I also trust that what goes around comes
around so balance will be restored if I stop trying to control it. If there
is more work than we have workers, I will try to reduce our tasks.

In the meantime, I will invite people to work, I will be supportive if I
notice work is not done well and I will make every effort to appreciate work
when it is done.

Am I being naive? Maybe. But allow me to basque in my naive bliss for a bit.
I love my community -- from the hardest worker to the lazy so-n-so.

Jeanne Goodman
JP Cohousing
Boston, MA