Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: The Timeline Game

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

fassnach [at] ssc.wisc.edu wrote:
> I would be most
>appreciative of any words of wisdom you more experienced folk have on
>ways to go about developing a group's long-range plans.

If I were to summarize what I know so far I would offer one single 
piece of advice:

Put a lot of energy into building a good communication process, 
including procedures for resolving both issue and personal conflicts.  
If you have open, honest exchange of true feelings as the foundation of 
your group process, you will have the trust, caring, and group dynamic 
to overcome any obstacle.

When a group tries to work in an environment where its members don't 
share their true feelings, hidden agendas, shadow issues and other 
problems create havoc in the decision making.  Work to create a forum 
in your meetings where if members have a problem with an issue, another 
person, or a leadership style, the members feel safe and encouraged to 
talk about it and work it out.

One of the five cohousing traps is where there are problems no one 
wants to talk about and instead people just leave the group.