Cohousing-L Mailing List: re: quorum

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

Thanks to all who have chimed in on the quorum topic. At RoseWind we do 
in fact do a lot of "seasoning" at discussion circles, in committee, via 
email etc. So when our Steering and Facilitation committees decide a 
proposal is ready for a business meeting, for approval, it really IS 
close to done. 

At the same time, we almost always do refine or adjust it somewhat at the 
meeting. Which is where I don't see proxies as useful. A proxy is 
essentially a yes or no vote, and how can you meaningfully vote yes if 
it's been modified, and how could you let someone block consensus (as a 
no vote would be, in this sort of process) without being present? Would 
you only allow approving proxies? And if you disapprove, you need to do 
so in person? 

We do read input given by absentees, for consideration. We do this at 
discussion circles, also. 

Why don't people come? 3 households don't live here - one is selling, two 
have bought and not moved here yet. 1 household has withdrawn from 
participation for the year, focusing on a new ecovillage project next 
door. 1 household is essentially in boycott mode, for years (long story, 
but we've tried everything). Several other families seem to be in 
"Whatever!" mode, and don't get involved in committees or business or 
discussions much, just happily co-existing. When it annoys me, it feels a 
bit like they are reaping the benefits of other people's work..... 

Even though we have a budget for childcare at meetings, the actual 
finding of a sitter is often a challenge. 

I'd much prefer to raise attendence than to reduce quorum, and I hope we 
can do that. On the other hand, if our Facilitation folks are burned out 
and have no energy to pursue that, I'm not sure how much I personally can 
do, considering how much ELSE I do here!

The idea of a Sunday afternoon meeting is an interesting one, and might 
be worth a try. 

Lynn Nadeau, RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend Washington (Victorian seaport, music, art, nature)
http://www.rosewind.org
http://www.ptguide.com
http://www.ptforpeace.info (very active peace movement here- see our 
photo)
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