Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: unit selection priority?

[Sharon Villines (sharonvillines]

>> Could I get some feedback from communities on factors you used in unit
>> selection precedence: strict seniority in order of membership in the
>> group, or other elements, for instance to acheive diversity in some
>> respect? 
> 
> SoCoHo at this point solely uses seniority.

Many people regard seniority to be arbitrary, unfair, and rigid, but over
time, in many situations, I have found it to be the most reliable, least
controversial, and most fair when other obvious criteria do not exist.

The people who were there first have done more of the work and dedicated
more of their lives to the effort. That should be recognized as long as the
results of their efforts exist.

New people and young people often feel cheated by seniority systems but in
most cases the fact is that they have not contributed equally. They may be
contributing equally *now* but they haven't over time.

Recognition for being there and working when no one else was should not be
set aside or forgotten as soon as some stage of accomplishment (like having
units to chose from) is reached.

Seniority also saves a hell of a lot of time discussing other systems, which
once you start results in establishing a new system each time a choice has
to be made.

(If this sounds dogmatic, I just came from 5 hours of meetings in which one
decision that was finally consensed is actually in conflict with our budget
and no one noticed in weeks of consideration.)

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
In Washington, DC where all roads lead to Casablanca
Takoma Village Cohousing
http://www.takomavillage.org