Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Closed Meetings

[Bonnie Fergusson (fergyb2]

    Here at Swan's Market all meetings are open to any
owner who wants to attend at any time, whether they
are officially a member of that Committee or not. 
Likewise all records are at least potentially
available although sometimes FINDING them can be
difficult.  Closing a meeting is unlikely to solve any
problem of a "disruptive" member attending, as others
have pointed out, since we all still live together and
need to find a way to accomodate different styles and
viewpints on problem solving. On occasions when we get
"stuck" over some issue or interpersonal conflict we
usually pull the group process committee in or at
least some of it's members take on mediating roles. We
used to have a very detail oriented person in our
community who occasionally drove us crazy but also
contributed in very valuable ways to the community, on
occasion preventing what might have turned out to be
disasterous mistakes, so it all balances out. 
Everybody wants quick efficient meetings, just the
facts, but the reality of community building requires
slow agonizing but very complete meetings, because you
have to deal with the emotional elements too.  Get
used to it is my advice.  Secrets only build more
frustration and future trouble in the long run.  There
is no short cut.  The desire for short cuts is in
itself a problem.  Community takes time.
                 With love,
                 Bonnie Fergusson
                 Swan's Market Cohousing
                 Oakland, CA



       
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