Cohousing-L Mailing List: Social Sweat Equity Registry

[Jasen Robillard (jasen]

Hi Sharon,

It's not clear to me how the social sweat equity system I described doesn't
mirror the concept that sustainable community runs on labor and money in
the examples you've given. The intent of the work-for-credit system is to
reinforce the expectation and assumed understanding of community
participation in these intentional groups. In a similar way to the examples
you give, when someone doesn't report hrs or doesn't work the hrs expected
by the community, then there is a cost to the community that shouldn't be
born by the community members who have contributed. The intent is about
putting our money where our mouth is: if we do as we say we would, then we
get the rewards of a healthier, more vibrant & connected community, as well
as a bit more money in our pocketbook. The intent is to incentivize the
social intangible outcomes we desire by linking it to a tangible credit
system.

I do like your idea of linked time and money budgets, particularly in the
context of prioritizing work and resource allocation. I also see the system
somehow encouraging the exchange and saving up of hrs for when times are
too busy or too difficult.


From: Sharon Villines <sharon [at] sharonvillines.com>
>
> 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.