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

[Pare Gerou (paregerou]

Rebecca asked the list: <<Our forming cohousing community is wondering how
those of you further along developed the list of values you post on your
websites. Do you have something more detailed that you give Members and use
in your decision-making process?? How do you see your values relating to
mission and vision?? >>

Rebecca- We at Greek Village Cohousing happen to be talking again about our
vision and values and website statement.  To come to terms with our varying
levels of expectations and interpretations of our shared values, I went
back to Diana Leafe Christian's wonderful book "Creating a Life Together."
In Chapter 5, "Creating Vision Documents," she lists several exercises that
wonderful Cohousing consultant Zev Paiss and others have done in the past.

For our Sunday Plenary this week, I am facilitating one of the
exercises around coming to terms with those differing understandings and
interpretations of each value- Zev called it the "Where do we Draw the
Line" exercise.  Yana Ludwig uses this in her great course "Starting an
Intentional Community," and I found it effective.  In this exercise, you
create a list the values you share, and you list below each value many
specific things that an individual can do to live that value.

Each activity listed below a value becomes increasingly more time
intensive, requires more money, and/or limits or restricts behavior
more. Members then use dot voting to communicate what they would personally
be willing to do, what they would support but not do, and what they feel is
more than they are willing to be a part of or pay for.

Since our group is in the midst of serious development budget work, we also
played a quick game last time we were in Greece together, during breakfast
before design workshops.  We had semi-decorated Kleenex boxes with labels
like "solar panels for all homes and commons" and "coworking space with
soundproof Zoom studios" and "investment in a water truck and sprinkler
systems for homes and commons."   We then gave people a finite amount of
play money and they voted with their dollars by dividing their finite cash
amongst the boxes.  It is not as emotionally meaningful as those important
conversations and interactions, but it was a quick way to learn something
about each other.

Neither of these suggestions provides you with the material to provide
members before decision-making.  However, both exercises meet people
squarely in their "real" space- beyond the initial coalescing around shared
aspirational values-- and it gets us to the space of understanding and
accepting differing expectations and priorities without judgment.

Pare Gerou
www.GreekVillageCohousing.com

On Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 4:10 AM mike slama <mike.slama.coho [at] gmail.com>
wrote:

> Rebecca asked the list: <<Our forming cohousing community is wondering how
> those of you further along developed the list of values you post on your
> websites. Do you have something more detailed that you give Members and use
> in your decision-making process?? How do you see your values relating to
> mission and vision?? >>
>
> Here’s some thoughts from Puyallup Cohousing (abbreviated PC below)
> regarding our current ‘Vision’ efforts.  We’re a forming community in WA
> that fought our way through our ‘Values’ and “Mission” a few months ago.
> (For ‘values’, we liked wordclouds!)  Now we’re on the way to “Vision”.
> (There’s more info about our status on our somewhat dated website at
> puyallupcohousing.org <http://puyallupcohousing.org/>.)
>
> Disclaimer: I’m alternately fascinated and terrified about the role of AI
> agents like ChatGPT in our society.  What follows is a dialog with ChatGPT
> that happened during a slow time in one of our (seemingly endless) Vision
> meetings.  There was no other interaction or information given to the AI
> than the few prompts that you see below, i.e. the AI knew nothing about us
> or our existing values discussions.  It’s worth noting that everything
> that’s quoted below took significantly less than 5 minutes.
>
> The following dialog is shared with you and this list in the spirt of the
> “Ig Noble Prizes” where awards are given for scientific research that
> “…honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them
> think...”.   I can verify that the interaction below made US think - not
> only about our vision, but a WHOLE LOT more!  Perhaps there’s something
> here that could be used as a tool to help your group.  Enjoy.
>
> ==========================================
>
> << PC: we would like to develop a vision statement for a cohousing
> community.  we would like it to have 4 properties: an imagined world,
> reflect our values, be externally focused, and inspirational.  we would
> like it to be short and sweet, less than 25 words, >>
>
>         "Creating a harmonious sanctuary where diverse individuals thrive,
> embracing sustainability, community, and compassion, while inspiring
> positive change in the world."
>
> << PC: use simpler words >>
>
>         "Fostering a vibrant and caring community, where people of all
> backgrounds come together to live sustainably and make a positive impact on
> the world."
>
> << PC: use more complex concepts >>
>
>         "Forging an idyllic realm where individuals from diverse
> backgrounds coexist harmoniously, embracing ecological stewardship,
> collective support, and catalyzing transformative influence on the global
> stage."
>
> << PC: make 10 more that are similar but different >>
> "Crafting a utopian haven where a tapestry of individuals flourishes,
> upholding values of environmental consciousness, communal solidarity, and
> serving as a catalyst for global transformation."
> "Weaving a visionary haven, where a mosaic of people thrives, embodying
> principles of ecological mindfulness, interconnectedness, and igniting
> waves of positive change worldwide."
> "Nurturing an imagined sanctuary where individuals converge, weaving
> sustainability, inclusivity, and societal enlightenment into the fabric of
> a community that inspires transformative ripples across the globe."
> "Envisioning a nurturing sanctuary where diverse souls unite, embodying
> values of sustainability, collective support, and becoming a beacon of
> inspiration, fostering progressive change globally."
> "Building an envisioned realm where diverse hearts harmonize, cultivating
> values of ecological responsibility, communal synergy, and radiating
> inspiration to catalyze impactful shifts in the world."
> "Creating a transformative haven where diverse spirits intertwine,
> embracing principles of sustainability, collaborative synergy, and
> radiating inspiration to shape a better world."
> "Forging an imaginative sanctuary where individuals converge, upholding
> values of environmental mindfulness, communal empowerment, and becoming an
> inspirational force for positive global metamorphosis."
> "Cultivating an envisioned refuge where varied souls flourish, championing
> ideals of sustainability, collective solidarity, and acting as a driving
> force for inspiring change on a global scale."
> "Pioneering an imagined paradise where diverse beings coalesce, embodying
> principles of ecological harmony, collective upliftment, and propelling
> profound transformations worldwide."
> "Unveiling a visionary dwelling where diverse minds unite, embracing
> values of sustainability, communal cohesion, and igniting an inspirational
> spark to revolutionize the world."
> << PC: make 10 more using more mundane language >>
> "Creating a close-knit community where people from different backgrounds
> come together, prioritize sustainability, support each other, and strive to
> make a positive impact in the world."
> "Establishing a welcoming neighborhood that fosters unity among
> individuals, promotes eco-friendly practices, encourages mutual assistance,
> and inspires positive change globally."
> "Building a harmonious residential area where diverse residents live
> sustainably, value community bonds, and aspire to create a meaningful
> influence beyond our boundaries."
> "Developing a supportive living environment that embraces diversity,
> emphasizes eco-consciousness, encourages collaboration, and aims to inspire
> positive transformations both locally and globally."
> "Creating a caring community where individuals from various walks of life
> coexist, uphold sustainable living, foster a strong sense of belonging, and
> strive to make a difference worldwide."
> "Establishing a nurturing neighborhood where people live in harmony,
> prioritize environmental responsibility, foster a sense of togetherness,
> and serve as an inspiration for positive global shifts."
> "Building a inclusive and sustainable community where residents work
> together, value eco-friendly practices, support one another, and aspire to
> create a positive impact that extends beyond our borders."
> "Creating a supportive and environmentally conscious neighborhood where
> individuals from diverse backgrounds come together, cultivate strong
> relationships, and aspire to drive positive change worldwide."
> "Developing a vibrant and eco-friendly community where residents live in
> unity, prioritize sustainable practices, extend helping hands, and strive
> to ignite positive transformations at a global scale."
> "Establishing a warm and sustainable residential community where
> individuals connect, embrace eco-consciousness, offer mutual support, and
> endeavor to inspire positive change both locally and globally."
> << PC: make a vision statement in iambic pentameter >>
>
> In a world imagined, a community thrives,
> Embracing values that our hearts hold dear.
> Externally focused, our vision drives,
> Inspiring change, a beacon shining clear.
>
> << PC: make it a haiku >>
>
> Shared vision takes flight,
> Harmony blooms, hearts unite,
> Changing world's delight.
>
> << PC: make a few more haiku’s >>
>
> Nurturing spirits,
> Community intertwined,
> Growth and love abound.
>
> Diverse hearts converge,
> Inclusive bonds ignite hope,
> World transformed, inspired.
>
> Seeds of change are sown,
> Sustainability blooms,
> Cohousing's embrace.
>
> A sanctuary,
> Where souls find belongingness,
> Together we thrive.
>
> Eco-consciousness,
> Resonates through every home,
> Our planet, cherished.
>
> << PC: make it a short song >>
>
> (Verse 1)
> In a world we dream,
> Where community gleams,
> Values held high, our guiding light.
> Together we'll soar,
> With open hearts, we'll explore,
> Inspiring change, igniting the night.
>
> (Chorus)
> Cohousing, our vision so grand,
> Hand in hand, we'll make a stand.
> Building a future, united we'll be,
> In this harmonious community.
>
> (Verse 2)
> With diverse souls we'll unite,
> Creating bonds that feel so right,
> Sustainability, our anthem to sing.
> Spreading love near and far,
> A beacon guiding us, like a star,
> Together we'll make the world ring.
>
> (Chorus)
> Cohousing, our vision so grand,
> Hand in hand, we'll make a stand.
> Building a future, united we'll be,
> In this harmonious community.
>
> (Bridge)
> In this haven we've found,
> Love and support all around,
> Together we'll shape our destiny.
> Inspiring the world we roam,
> Creating a place we can call home,
> Cohousing, our heart's symphony.
>
> (Chorus)
> Cohousing, our vision so grand,
> Hand in hand, we'll make a stand.
> Building a future, united we'll be,
> In this harmonious community.
>
> (Outro)
> Cohousing, together we'll thrive,
> In this beautiful tapestry of life,
> Spreading our light, embracing the new,
> Cohousing, our dreams come true.
>
>
>
> There’s more as it got crazier from there, but you get the idea...
>
> Still fascinated and terrified,
> Mike Slama for Puyallup Cohousing
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at:
> http://L.cohousing.org/info
>
>
>
>