Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: MEMBER APPLYING TO BE PROJECT MANAGER

[Racheli Gai (racheli]

I agree.
We had a member who was our project manager, and it was extremely 
problematic.
On the level of process - it creates hierarchy, where the manager is 
someone with
a lot more power than other members of the community; I also think it 
can often
create conflict of interest.
I also absolutely agree that working diligently on process/conflict 
resolution skills
etc. from the get go is so very essential.  We didn't do nearly enough 
of it, and
once we moved in we descended into a very difficult period, along the 
lines
mentioned by Ananda.
Years after move-in we still didn't have a common understanding what 
consensus
means!  A little over a year ago we hired CT Butler to come and work 
with us
on consensus.  Now, using Formal Consensus, we're (hopefully) gradually 
digging our way
out.  If we started by making our common understanding clearer, I'm 
sure we'd have
saved ourselves a lot of heartache, and perhaps would have avoided 
damage that's
hard to repair later on.


Best,
Racheli.


On Jan 13, 2008, at 6:56 PM, carrol crawford wrote:

>  PLEASE, TRIM YOUR TAILS. That is, minimize quoted material
>  on replies.  See  http://justcomm.org/jc-faq.htm#Q8
>
> Good question.  I am a professional facilitator, and personal 
> development
> coach and trainer.  Its been my experience that someone who knows how 
> to
> train people in communications, consultation, facilitation, and 
> conflict
> resolution, sharing toys, should also be on board of your project.  
> I've
> been involved in communities who worked well together as long as there 
> was
> plenty of work to do, but when the work was done, and the daily living
> settled in,  if the personal enrichment part of the community did not 
> grow
> at the same time the buildings grew, there was often times a let down, 
> and
> personal issues flared up.  If you can get someone who is a project 
> manager
> for building and personal development, you've got it in the bag.  They 
> are
> both necessary.
>
> I honestly think you would be avoiding alot of headaches if you hired
> outside the group. Then people come together with no bias, or history. 
> There
> seems to always be more respect for an outsider. ( I'm only famous 
> when I
> fly into another town- at home? they are used to me and could possibly
> dismiss some valid points).
>
> Also, the community has every right to do background checks, reference
> checks, on anyone, I'd say especially if they are a community member.
>
> good luck
> Ananda