Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Re: Frustration in Forming Community

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On May 27, 2004, at 10:01 AM, Jeanne Goodman wrote:
>

> 1. The founders can't be the only ones putting in all the work, but at 
> least
> some of the rest of core group have to really work HARD
> 2. Put in CASH, but make it reasonable. I believe that a non-refundable
> investment of $1,000 is enough to make people get much more serious 
> that
> this is an INVESTMENT that they don't feel comfortable walking away 
> from.

Also, keep good records of money spent. Establish a "fair share" amount 
that each new member has to invest to bring them up to parity with the 
early members. Thus those who work hard up front and invest money in 
marketing and other research will not have to continue to put in money. 
It also puts the new members on an equal footing with old members. Each 
is invested financially to the same degree.

As for time invested, those who invest time also have more control over 
the direction of the group. If you are putting in time and resenting 
it, pull back. It means you are working for goals that you don't share. 
Let others either "see the light" or pick up the slack. The work you do 
should also energize you, if not today, tomorrow.

> 3. Attitude is everything -- early in our project we adapted the motto,
> "Failure is not an option." (This was partially because we weren't 
> about to
> lose the cash we had invested.)

This is an excellent motto. You just have to make it work. But everyone 
has to be invested. Making decisions and working for people who "might" 
be interested doesn't work. Making realistic decisions means paying 
attention to real money and real time or you never get built.

> 4. Hire a professional. When we hired Cohousing Resources everything 
> started
> to move. It made the difference between this "possibility" to our 
> future.
The most excellent advice of all. A good cohousing professional will 
consult with you and determine when you can best use their help. They 
won't work with you unless they see that you have a viable project. AND 
their fees can often be paid out of your construction loan. Thus they 
get paid when you reach that level. If you don't reach it, they don't 
get paid. This ensures that they are also as invested in your project 
as you are.

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