Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Confidentiality and conflict

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> The first is appropriate communication of information
> to the entire group.   The position I am challenging is that information
> that can cause conflict, confusion, and uncertainty should be closely
> guarded and basically communicated on a need to know basis.  As a member of
> steering, project management, and finance committees of our group at one
> time or another, I have always felt that one of the contributions I can make
> to the group is to facilitate open flow of information, and access to the
> inner workings and process of the organization at that level.

The key here is "need to know". If you expect all your members to
participate equally in your community and to assume equal responsibility,
they have to have all the information to behave responsibility. If the board
(or whatever) is assuming all risk and all responsibility, then it is not a
community of equal members and may be able to function on an uninformed
basis.

> In my
> experience and understanding of group dynamics, the persons in disagreement
> are usually representing more broadly held positions than just their own
> opinions.

I agree. Where there is smoke there is fire. I also feel that everyone
should understand my concerns, not just one person or one team. My
relationship is with the community.

> I'm not convinced that confidentiality is a necessary safeguard for
> communication, unless professional ethics, or safety, are part of the
> interaction.

Where does confidentiality become secrecy? Secrecy is the first and
necessary precondition to manipulation and abuse. All my alarms go off when
I hear someone even suggest it.

We have discussed this in two forums --(1)  the need for members to be able
to communicate personal information via email to other members and not
announce travel plans (for example) to the world on the open email list, and
(2) the need for members to be able to discuss with the board personal
financial information. As a legal entity the Condominium Association Board
of Directors is obligated to protect the individual rights of unit owners.
Personal privacy is one of them. But where these rights begin and end is a
big issue.

One area I know I completely disagree with keeping information "secret" is
when it may upset people. If the info is so important or upsetting that it
needs to be kept confidential, then it is also so important or  upsetting
that it must be shared.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org




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