Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Request for coho "Safety & Well Being" practices and protoc ols

[pattymara [at] juno.com (pattymara]

At Tierra Nueva Coho, Cen.CA coast, we've just begun the discussions on our 
emergency plans.  It came up at a recent living room salon and we'll be 
discussing it much further.  We have just recently unpacked and removed the Y2K 
food stash from under the common house stairs, and it is time to restock, 
obviously. 

The questions Charles poses are such great starting places...I'll be using 
them!  A recent presentation by a local acupuncturist who spent Christmas in 
New Orleans treating refugees and care workers, reminded us that we must not 
rely on the government for any emergency response.  Be prepared to take care of 
yourself and your neighborhood, he says.  And don't depend on driving anywhere. 
 Gulp.  

One of our newer residents has just gotten official emergency training at the 
community college where she works.  Her first question to us here when we 
opened the discussion about emergency preparedness was: "What's the chain of 
command?" We looked around the room in silence and burst into laughter....since 
we've spent nearly 20 years practicing consensus, where the closest to a chain 
of command is the rotating committee of facilitators.  Who's on first? 

We asked ourselves some interesting questions like:  "Since we have our own 
well and water tank, are we ready to either protect it from, or share it with 
anyone else in need of water?"  Gulp.  We did not have an easy answer.

I'll keep the list informed of what we come up with, and will be interested to 
see Trillium's practices and protocols as they form.  

coheartedly,
PattyMara
http://www.gourleydesign.com/DolphinSmile/INDEX.HTM
"You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting 
strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even 
the biggest nation." ~Marian Wright Edelman

-- "Charles Maclean" <advocate [at] philanthropynow.com> wrote:
Fellow Cohousers -

At Trillium Hollow Cohousing Portland we're beginning to craft our
"Safety & Well Being" overall approach.

>From goals, evacuation plans, to emergency response to safety tips we're
being proactive. The umbrella is creating a climate of caring and
support in times of need".

What processes have you used to:

- Engage members to ask for what they want most in an action plan and
education program
- Invite members to ccontribute specific competencies
- Make learning together fun
- Involve children in the learning and teaching

If any communities have resources to share, we wouldn't have to reinvent
the wheel.  We'll share what produce.

Thanks,

Charles Maclean
503.297.1490
charles.maclean [at] trillium-hollow.org

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