Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: How large a core group needed for site design?

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Jun 14, 2015, at 11:16 PM, Jerry McIntire <jerry.mcintire [at] gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> What do you all think? Is 5-6 too few to be making decisions? We made the
> decision to buy the land with four. We are planning on 15 total because we
> are in a rural area, very small market.

I think most people don’t believe you when you say you are waiting to decide. I 
remember an orientation session with a group in Albany NY. A woman kept asking 
about members joining and when “they" would make a decision. “They" kept 
responding in the vague cohousing way about personal choices, diversity,  
values, etc. And she kept saying what diversity are you looking for, etc. It 
went on for quite a bit. 

Finally, someone said, she wants to know when you will decide if she can be a 
member. 

"Oh, well you decide that.”

“Like I just say I want to be a member?”

“Yes.”

“Who are the members now?”

“Well, ….. "

Most people want to seal the deal. And know there is a deal to be sealed. Since 
most cohousing communities are started on a wing and prayer by people who have 
never done this before, that’s hard. 

As on most things, I have strong opinions on governance. If you don’t have 
above ground governance, you will have underground governance. Someone makes 
the decisions in your group. Who is it? On what basis do they decide? Do you 
have a written business plan?

It is better to define a goal, make decisions, and continue to develop them — 
successive approximations. By not making decisions based on the decision to be 
open to new people and new ideas, is to err on the side of not having anything 
to make decisions about. Decisions are what makes your community come into 
being. To take shape.

You can only get started by getting started. 

Good that you have land! A great place to start making decisions. 

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Sociocracy: A Deeper Democracy
http://www.sociocracy.info