Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Nextdoor.com

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Jan 5, 2016, at 10:50 AM, Thomas Lofft <tlofft [at] hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> How many list-serv's can you tolerate? ?

A good question. Soon they start feeding on each other and don’t offer the 
opportunity to engage with new topics. You have to already know or be committed 
in order to join a subject focused list. 

That’s one reason our large list works. It includes every topic on an equal 
basis. We have had two spin offs — one that focuses on yard sales, swaps, etc., 
and one that focuses on children, childcare, and schools. The TakomaSwap was 
started by a person who actually does business with almost weekly yard sales.

A fair number of our residents do participate on the TakomaDC list and some 
just read. But when a topic of interest arises or they have a question, they 
surface. People know where we live but there is a general wish to not appear as 
a cohesive force in the neighborhood — potentially too overwhelming and not 
reflective of our diversity. That I moderate the list and post frequently has 
the danger of identifying the community with me, but there are enough other 
people on the list that that hasn’t happened to my knowledge. I don’t include 
“Takoma Village” in my signature line but do mention the community when I am 
recommending a plumber, for example, based on their work here.

An internal list is essential for community and personal communications, but I 
think a public outreach list is also important — but it has to be a community 
list, not a cohousing list — unless you have several cohousing groups in the 
area and it is a cohousing community list. People get suspicious of any 
neighborhood group that appears to be a collective force. We get this during 
elections where a person appears to be a neighbor but turns out to be working 
for a campaign. But someone will call them out fairly fast.

We have also had very good discussions about very sensitive topics — like race 
and alcoholic loiterers in parks. I moderate these closely — speaking to people 
offline about characterizations and accusations. But over time, everyone is 
getting on board with logical arguments, factual information, etc. My college 
professor side comes out with requests for fair arguments but not 
personalizations. Even when accused of censorship, I stick to it and am 
supported by other list members.

Moderating our internal Takoma Village list, however, is impossible because of 
peer rivalry. And sometimes strong feelings. Which  I actually welcome.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org