Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: members with dementia

[Dahako (Dahako]

Hi-
 
On dealing with a block for whatever reason.  Our group convention is  that a 
block to consensus really only happens if the person who is refusing to  
consent or stand aside is supported by someone else in the group who agrees 
that  
the point in issue bears directly on our vision statement and has not been  
previously discussed and addressed. (The someone else does not have to agree  
with the person's point, only agree that there is a reasoned or emotional  
objection to the group's proposed action that brings the possibility of  the 
action 
working against our common vision.) The group as a whole can  then either 
agree that the proposal is blocked, or more likely send it back to  the drawing 
board to address the new information.
 
In the case of a member with dementia, use of a convention like this  would 
probably limit the number of actual blocks.  You will still have  a difficult 
social situation, but it need not prevent the group as a whole  from moving 
forward.
 
my two cents-
Jessie Handforth Kome
Eastern Village Cohousing
Silver Spring, Maryland
Where Robert Heinich from Eno Commons recently visited our childrens' play  
area on the roof and got all excited by the recycled tire mulch.  Almost as  
excited as our toddlers!