Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: work choices

[HeidiNYS (HeidiNYS]

Dear Sharon et al,

I'd say we, at Cantines salnd are extrememly fortunate.  We have folks who 
have put in enormous amts of work outta the generosity of their 
hearts/interests.    We're pretty unstructured tis way.  also, some folks 
commute long distance [to NYC!] and have kids, some are retired and more 
available.    
We have been fortunate to have a dear sweet and brilliant lawyer in our group 
work tirelessly on behalf of the group.  also another member has spearheaded 
path development and up-keep as well as the development of our new property.  
Another whiz, an ER Nurse/electrician, will sweetly and generously give time 
to individual households as well as to the entire community!!!  and we have 
someone with landscaping skills who has enjoyed having almost free run of the 
common-property to landscape.  this last has caused a tiny bit of irk in one 
member, but appreciated by many.  

Cooking-wise, some do, some don't.  We, lately have had a slow-down in folks 
signing up, esp for clean-up, but by the end of meal, it happens.  One member 
routinely gets up [a member of the male persuasion, BTW]  and gets our 
dishwasher crankin'..... claims to like it.  We do have some sort of 
agreement to work for every x many meals consumed [1:4 ratio??].....  but as 
you see, we don't exactly focus on this!!
Conversely, I have found I thoght I would do lots of work on behalf of 
community, gardening, cooking and odds and ends,  and find that I did much 
more before move-in than since.    While this yr, I planned a wonderful and 
large November wedding in 10 weeks, held on-site [which made i much more 
complex than going elsewhere.... ] I have still been surprised that I have 
not been a worker bee here.  

so , the big picture is clearly that this varies enormously from community to 
community.  Let me know when you're in the area, and do come visit,
all best,
Ruth Hirsch, Cantines Island co-ho, nr Woodstock, NY......  sound good?  We'd 
love another household! 845-246-8601


In a message dated 4/17/01 9:22:10 PM, cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org 
writes:

<< This is the issue exactly. It isn't a question of one person working more
another less, it is why can't everyone in the community contribute where
their skills and interests are? If people really like to cook, wouldn't it
be better for them to cook than having to maintain the walkways or the
intranet or accounting records.

Has anyone tried this?

Sharon >>

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