Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Forming a new group and getting started

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On 7/21/03 2:22 AM, "jtlondon [at] earthlink.net" <jtlondon [at] earthlink.net> 
wrote:

> I also want to ask about good sources for advice on getting a group going
> in a reasonably efficient manner.  So far we have spoken to a couple
> veteran cohousers in our area, and will continue to do so.  One piece of
> advice was that we soon have members contribute financially, so we can
> start making real commitments.  The suggestion was $150 or so to begin
> with, so we can open a bank account and cover research expenses.  Another
> suggestion was that we find a good group process person and have them work
> with us regularly on conflict management and resolution.

Practical suggestions:

1. Do open an account and keep records on how much the group has spent on
marketing, research, etc. The reason for this is that when new people join
they can pay a "fair share" to bring them up to the level of financial
commitment of the "old" members. This helps new members feel equal and old
members from feeling taken advantage of by people who come late or wait to
join until "all the work is done."

2. Since retrofit sounds like your best option, begin moving closer to each
other. Proximity makes all the difference in cohousing. Just being close
enough physically to interact easily is in my opinion half the advantage.
This also brings you closer to the information flow about a neighborhood and
its buildings. The grapevine can be wonderful in finding opportunities and
in finding new members. If this is your place, there are likely to be others
there who share your interests.

3. Look at sociocracy as a management structure, particularly at the consent
process. I will have a web site up soon but the best ones now are

TwinOaks:
http://www.twinoaks.org/clubs/sociocracy/

Champlain Valley
http://www.shelburnefallscohousing.org/sociocracy.html

EcoVillage of Loudoun County
http://www.ecovil.com/Pages/governance.html

The websites are growing daily as Sociocracy spreads out of the Netherlands
to the US. When I searched last fall, Google found about 10 links, today
there were over 164. The website explanations are the best information at
the moment. The only two books are translations from the Dutch and not for
the faint hearted.

I would also be happy to answer questions.

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

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