Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Experience with mediators?

[Sandi Goldie (coachsandi]

Congratulations on breaking ground, Elizabeth!  And thanks for the idea of
the heart-share circles--sounds like a great idea.

As for finding someone to help with resolving conflicts between members, a
go-to person for us Karen Gimnig, <https://www.karengimnig.net/services> who
is an awesome consultant on a number of issues that come up in communities,
including conflicts.  At River Song, we hired her early on because of her
extensive experience with cohousing communities and many different methods
of problem solving.  Now we're "on our own" two years in, and our Process
Team is looking at ways we'll support growth in the community and resolve
conflicts when they come up.  We'll be drawing on much we learned from
Karen.

All the best,

Sandi


Sandi Goldie
Certified Co-Active Life Coach

Cell:  206-697-9701
Email coachsandi [at] gmail.com
Website:  riversongcohousing.org
regeneratebc.org

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

--*Margaret Mead*




On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM Elizabeth Rosenau <ejrosenau [at] gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I’m a member of Compass Cohousing in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
> I’m pleased to share with you the exciting news that we broke ground
> yesterday.  🎉🎉🎉
>
> We have many wonderful members with skill sets that have been so useful in
> helping us get to this point.  Unfortunately two of these valued members
> have struggled to get along and there are potential negative effects for
> the community if the dynamic between them continues to play out as it has.
>
> I am wondering if other cohousing communities have had any experience
> hiring mediators for one on one work.  If so, who did they hire and was the
> experience a good one for all involved?  At Compass, we’ve identified a
> preference for working with a mediator experienced in NVC mediation
> techniques, but we would be open to working with anyone who comes highly
> recommended.
>
> On a related note, we are beginning to explore the possibility of having
> “heart share meetings”.  The idea is to have a space outside of our regular
> business meetings where people can share how they’re feeling.  Does your
> community have anything like this?  How does it work?  Has it been helpful
> in increasing understanding and empathy between members?  Does it make your
> business meetings more successful?
>
> Thanking you in advance for your responses.
>
> With warmth,
>
> Elizabeth Rosenau, Compass Cohousing.
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