Cohousing-L Mailing List: Language used in decisions

[Elizabeth Magill (pastorlizm]

>  find it useful for the recording secretary to read back some literal words:  
> “Here is how I am recording our decision … <read the words> …”  It should be 
> no surprise that this approach, even when well executed, can precipitate more 
> debate.

These days I'd like to have a go-around where everyone says what they think the 
policy *means* before we call for cards.
Others roll their eyes when I suggest this, but I think we have had more 
disagreements after we've approved decision than before the decision was made.

[I might be exasperated and thus exaggerating some. But we just approved two 
decisions where some people don't know what it means and few people are willing 
to ask others to follow it.]

"No it means you can't do it" and "I'm sure we meant you can do it if you ask 
for plenary approval" and "I think that it only applies to this type of change, 
not this type", etc., etc., etc.

-Liz
(The Rev.) Elizabeth M. Magill
www.ecclesiaministriesmission.org
www.mosaic-commons.org
508-450-0431