Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: consequences in community

[Robert (robert]

Ilyse-

One tries to create a culture where it is universally considered bad form to 
eat without being on the cooking team or not picking up their dog poops. 
Here at Eno Commons, we have fewer rules but higher compliance.  Although we 
do not have a formal expectation of labor, we do expect everyone to 
contribute to the community in some fashion.  We understand that everyone's 
contribution ebbs and flows.

The larger question you might want to ask is are you seeking equality or 
simplicity.  If you seeking equality, you might want to try what our 
neighbor Arcadia Cohousing has done.  They have a chit system to record what 
you have done and if the total falls under the expected 4 hrs/month for each 
household, you are assessed $10(?)/hr.  At Eno Commons, we choose simplicity 
and try to encourage folks to attend work days by offering a meal after the 
work day.  It is not perfect but it works good enough for us.

If payment is late, the Treasurer will inform the member in writing that 
payment is past due. In case of temporary financial hardship, the member 
should inform the finance committee or a finance committee member of any 
problems in paying and meet to work out a mutually acceptable plan to make 
up past dues. Otherwise, interest at the rate of 8% annual will be charged 
on any unpaid balance. Past dues automatically constitute a lien on the 
property; however, if payments become more than six months past due with no 
payment plan worked out and followed, a formal lien on the house will be 
filed.  The intent is not to be punitive; we intend to work with members in 
times of legitimate financial hardships, but we also recognize that it is 
crucial to the operation of the community that all members pay required dues 
in a timely manner.  So far it has not been necessary to place a lien.

We have found that folks out of step with the community leave on their own.

BTW, I did not find your community listed in cohousing.org.

-Robert
Eno Commons Cohousing Neighborhood
Durham, NC
where we are preparing for our annual talent-optional party


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ilyse simon" <ilysefood [at] yahoo.com>
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:07 AM
Subject: [C-L]_ consequences in community


> Hi,
> I'm researching consequences in various cohos. What happens in your 
> community when a member doesn't do her work requirement, or breaks a 
> community rule, or repeatedly doesn't pick up dog poop, or fails to pay an 
> assessment. I'm on a committee writing Rules & Regs for Ulster county Coho 
> and we need some ideas. After conflict resolution is ignored or fails, 
> what to you do then?
> Thank you,
> Ilyse Simon
> Governance, Ulster County Coho
>
>
> Ilyse Simon RD
> Nutrition Therapist
> 845 338 3876
>
> "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving 
> safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in 
> sideways, chocolate in one hand, feather boa in the other, body thoroughly 
> used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!"
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