Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Consensus Process

[Carol Singleton (Quetzal4]

For your information, here is the current consensus process at Oak Creek 
Commons, as approved by the community in 2/2006.  We worked long and hard for a 
year and a half from our move-ins in 2004 to arrive at a process most everyone 
could agree on.  Most of us agree that it is working well because it allows 
plenty of time for discussion and for concerns to be resolved and suggestions 
for improvements incorporated.  Since the process has been in place we have 
been able to accomplish a great deal. 

 

On another note, I personally cannot attend every community meeting when 
decisions will be made and I trust community members to make decisions right 
for the community.  For example, I will be out of town this weekend in which 
the community is being asked to vote a large project.  Over the last year, 
there have been numerous emails and discussions circles about the project.  I 
am perfectly comfortable in trusting the members of the community who are at 
the meeting to make a decision about it.

 

Carol Singleton

Oak Creek Commons

Paso Robles, CA

 

OAK CREEK COMMONS DECISION MAKING PROCESS

 

Approved on 2/4/06 

 

1.         Present an Idea

•           Informal discussion

•           Community decision to pursue idea

2.         Create a Draft Proposal

•           Task group meetings

•           Information presentations

•           Surveys

•           Discussion circles

•           Conflict Resolution

•           NVC

•           Brainstorm

3.         Present the Draft Proposal

•           Clarify

•           List concerns

4.         Refine the Proposal

•           Committee revisions

•           Discussion

•           Brainstorm

•           Resolve concerns

5.         Present Revised Proposal

•           Resolve concerns

•           Possible Outcomes

             Consensus

             Evaluate a block

             Table

             Voting

 

Quorum Requirement:

Representation at the meeting of more than 40% of the owner occupied 
households. There are currently 30 owner occupied households. Forty percent of 
that is 12. More than 40% is 13 households. If three more homes become owner 
occupied, a quorum would then become 14 households. 

 

Eligibility to Participate in Decision Making

All adult residents of Oak Creek Commons are eligible to participate in the 
decision making process.