Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re:Ruth Mason's inquiry: How do you build a group?

[Monty Berman (mberman]

On Fri, 7 Apr 1995, Bob Trachtenberg wrote:

> HELP!
> . . . . . We are seeking input from the list as follows:
> 
> 1. How do you build a group?
        I would let others know who and what I am about and what my 
interests are---in other words, I create an opportunity for a group to 
emerge by revealing myself and my intentions.

> 
> 2. What sort of activities help build a group beside business 
> meetings?
        Personal sharing, within certain community building guidelines, 
with, perhaps, a flexible focus.
> 
> 3. What kind of thisngs do you build into meetings that allow people 
> to get to know each other better (specifics please)?
        At EcoVillage, I and other members of our Process Committee (who have 
facilitated our mtgs for the past two years) have looked to integrate 
process with task at the meetings. We begin every mtg with 10 - 20" 
"opening," designed to connect a little before we start the agenda.We also 
have initiated a 20" personal sharing period at the first mtg ofevery 
month. The group meets twice a month,
four hrs each. We also work hard at providing and promoting community 
building guidelines at the meetings (self-work is mainly involved here)
as well as operate within our committee along these lines (as best we 
can). We also organize community building events four times a year, 
including a July 4th weekend. 

> 4. What written resources 
are available to 
help us with all this? 
        We (the Process Committee) have put together a booklet entitled, 
"Integrating Process and Task at First Residence Grp Meetings."  Write to 
EcoVillage at Ithaca, Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853.

        I'll pass on the other questions.
                                                Monty Berman

> We greatly appreciate suggestions you may have.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Ruth Mason 
> for Jerusalem Co-Housing
>