Cohousing-L Mailing List: Using a group member professionally

[Rob Sandelin (Floriferous]

Some people will put in enourmous amounts of hours as volunteers. When other 
people get paid in the group it can cause feelings of resentment. Why should I 
do all this work for free when so and so gets paid? If you choose to pay some 
people in the group be "clear" about this with everyone. If you have 
professionals in your group volunteering their time, be clear what their 
boundaries are.

 I recall one story about a carpenter who was asked to do a bunch of 
significant work as a volunteer. He declined, politely, and it caused a major 
group reaction, with all kinds of unhappy exchanges that hurt. He was very 
clear, the groups expectations were not. Fortunately for the group, he stayed 
and they all learned how to be better about not projecting unrealistic 
expectations on each other.

Resentment is nasty, toxic stuff when its left in darkness to simmer and 
brood. It loses it toxicity when opened and examined and talked about. 
Sometimes.

Always celebrate the work people do and never let any act of selfless 
volunteerism go unnoticed or unappreciated. Cohousing is fueled on volunteer 
energy, don't let the gas run out.

Rob Sandelin