Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: use of email for communication

[RowenaHC (RowenaHC]

In a message dated 2/19/00 4:23:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
coho-L [at] raines.com writes:

<< if they don't have e-mail, help them get 
 e-mail... it can make the whole group communcation much more efficient. 
 But at least one member insists that we can't assume that he's read 
 e-mail at meetings. >>

There are some people who just refuse to get on line but there are lots of 
other ways to carry out discussions.  We try and use the buddy system but the 
fact is that most of what goes back and forth on a daily basis is just casual 
inquiries, opinions, thoughts, and it would be a major imposition to ask 
anyone to copy it and unlikely that the recipient would be willing to wade 
through it!  Our "white board" in the entry  is heavily used by everyone to 
pass on quick hits - including such items as "Read the Proposed Decision on 
the Decision Board" or "Has anyone found some keys?"    There are also cork 
boards in the mail room and notices get stuck up all over with tape!   And 
then there are the casual discussions in the mail room, the garage, or on the 
internal pedestrian way, not to mention common meals.  It may be easier for a 
dense urban group to keep in touch than the suburban lot model, since we have 
to pass each other coming and going. 
But when all is said and done, routine decisions can be made in many ways but 
the things that really touch people require a couple of face to face meetings 
including an opportunity for the minority voices to be heard and listened to 
with respect, and to see that they have been heard - something you can't get 
on-line.

Rowena
CambridgeCoho