Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Social Sweat Equity Registry

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Sep 4, 2013, at 2:30 PM, Jasen Robillard <jasen [at] connexuscohousing.com> 
wrote:

> I'm working with a group that is thinking of implementing a work share
> system prior to move in. The general gist is that there would be a
> voluntary 1-2% increase in unit prices that could be credited back to the
> owner assuming they fulfill a minimum threshold of community valued work.

I think this would be a not good idea. It means paying for work rather than 
expecting work. Unless the community plans to continue paying for work and 
figuring how how to pay for work and who to pay, its a step down the wrong path.

What Ecovillage of Loudoun County does (I haven't been in touch recently) is to 
expect a certain number of hours a month. People tell the record keeper teach 
month what they did and the hours. They can do it anyway they like as long as 
it is written down so she can easily keep track. 

If someone doesn't report hours, she automatically bills them at a rate set by 
the community. 

They do an annual budget for money and one for hours. People pledge time to 
regular jobs and to new projects. If not enough time is pledged, they add to 
the money budget to cover those hours or drop the new project. 

So there is an understanding that no work means higher condo fees or fewer 
amenities, but everyone decides this up front.

People can always work more or save up hours or contribute work to others. The 
concept is the community runs on labor and money. That's the reality of 
sustainable communities.

I can't think of any person in any condition that we haven't been able to find 
work for. They might not do it but they would be capable of doing it. Dementia 
and end stage cancer have been the exceptions but just because we didn't make 
an effort. Personally, I think people would feel like they were contributing 
more if they did make a contribution. Particularly when people are helping them 
so much by delivering meals, running errands, taking them to the doctor, etc.

We recently had a person who moved to a retirement community. Her prime motive 
was probably fear because she had just had a round of serious health problems, 
but there was also the belief that she couldn't contribute anymore. I don't 
think that was true and felt badly that she thought that. We should have worked 
harder to make her feel that we valued her.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines, Washington DC
"Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you everywhere." Albert 
Einstein