Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: process for developing values statement

[Fred-List manager (fholson]

Joel Bartlett <altairecovillage [at] gmail.com>
is the author of the message below.  It was posted by Fred of
the Cohousing-L management team <cohousing-l-owner [at] cohousing.org>
due to attachment the cohousing-L does not distribute
after pasting text of attachment below.

--------------------  FORWARDED MESSAGE FOLLOWS --------------------

Here is a document our community just came up with.  Perhaps you'll find it
useful.

Yours, Joel

-------------- text of attachment pasted by Fred ------------------------
[Altair Ecovillage]
Guidelines for Community Participation

These guidelines for Altair members and Trailblazers, in conjunction with the 
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU), are intended to benefit the wellbeing of not only the individuals but 
also the community as a whole.
These are set forth to clarify regarding standards expected of each of us. Of 
course there are times and
interactions with others when any of us may fall short of these standards and 
may fall into a pattern that
impacts the integrity of our community. Each person is encouraged to talk to 
the other party when one feels
comfortable in doing so. However, when help is needed, you may refer the matter 
to Care and Counsel. This is
not tattling on the other, but taking an active role in resolving situations 
that may become significant problems
later on.

ACCOUNTABILITY:  When a member takes responsibility in a circle for a task with 
a specific date for
completion or commits to a share of work in the community, that commitment is 
expected to be done on time.
When it is not possible to finish on time, the member makes provisions for 
backup and/or suggests a new date
for completion and communicates with affected parties.

COMMUNITY: Members foster and maintain a safe, supportive, healthy, and humane 
environment for
themselves and others.

DIVERSITY: Members listen to differences of opinion and value the open exchange 
of ideas. We listen
respectfully, questioning the status quo when needed.

EXCELLENCE: Members seek continuous improvement in effective conflict 
management skills. We use
reconciling rather than escalating language, open questions instead of leading 
ones, and suggest practical
solutions.

HONESTY/ AUTHENTICITY: In personal interactions and community business, members 
are encouraged to
state their opinions and speak in a respectful way.  Members are urged to 
communicate and request clarification
when not understanding some aspect of the issue at hand.  Keeping silent when 
we have concerns or need
clarification is not helpful.

INTEGRITY: Members are expected to act with the highest degree of honesty, 
fairness, and personal integrity,
especially when dealing with conflicts.

LEARNING: Members seek to understand differences and to identify common 
interests, shared goals, and
possible solutions.  We focus on data and facts but stay open to subtle 
language and signals.

PARTICIPATION: All members participate in meaningful ways in the community 
appropriate to their interests
and abilities.

RESPECT: Members treat others with respect, even when disagreeing. We focus on 
issues and not on persons.

RESPONSIBILITY: Members take personal responsibility for their role in 
conflicts and help find effective
solutions.  Each of us tries to avoid judgment and focus on our experience, 
using the pronoun “I” rather than
blaming (e.g., using the pronoun “you”).

TRANSPARENCY: Members address our community issues by reporting activities 
along with all their known
benefits and shortcomings.  Members do not withhold positive or negative 
relevant information.

SHARED DECISION MAKING: Members make decisions that prioritize the interests of 
the community over
those of any individual, as appropriate to the organizational unit. No 
individual or group may dominate the
group (e.g., as implemented by the practice of sociocracy).