Cohousing-L Mailing List: decision boards

[Tree Bressen (tree]

Hi folks,

I am posting this query on behalf of someone not on this list.  Based on 
input from other communities, her group (which has been living on site for 
more than 20 years) is instituting a Decision Board, where smaller 
decisions that don't need full group meeting time can be made without 
discussion if everyone is ok with it.  They are currently working out the 
details and would like to hear how other communities administer their 
decision boards.  Here is a quote from her email:

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We are planning to put a note in people's boxes alerting them to the fact 
we have a decision.  We will call them once after a week if they have 
not  checked off.  One member is insisting that we call each member until 
they sign off on the board.  We hold the position that people have the 
right to choose not to sign off just as they have the right not to come to 
a board meeting as long as we have a quorum.  Now, I hear she wants to have 
everyone call in if they are away to have their name signed off on a 
decision. Can't you just see Susan calling here from Holland?

How do other communities handle the decison board process?  Does everyone 
in the community have to sign off on the board?  How many times does a 
member have to be reminded to sign?  We have people here who seldom check 
things off.
----------

Can folks with decision boards in operation at your communities please 
write in, and i will compile the results and send them to my 
correspondent?  I'd love to also post the compilation on my website as i 
expect others may be interested in this topic over time, so when you write 
back please let me know if that's not ok with you, otherwise i will assume 
i have your permission.

Thanks,

--Tree



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Tree Bressen
1680 Walnut St.
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 484-1156
tree [at] ic.org
http://www.treegroup.info