Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Monday Night Co-housing Conf Call

[Craig Ragland (craigragland]

Numbers 1 & 3 from Eris are also true for me.

I have been really tempted to call, but live a very full "cohousing
lifestyle" at Songaia. I love my life here and already have enough chance to
share that with those who visit us here in person (3 visitors in the last
couple of days and another tomorrow). Its not too long ago that I would have
been on the call just cause.

Now, as a new "cohousing organizational professional," my time is already
100% dedicated to cohousing work - on behalf of Coho/US, as its Executive
Director, and on behalf of New Earth Song, as its Project Manager (and as an
equity investor in its LLC). My personal life at Songaia, which is an
extended part of my family life, accounts for most of my remaining waking
hours.

The number of you that have given me a personal call me to "talk cohousing"
since I assumed this new role, who do not live in cohousing, are not part of
a forming group, but are sincerely interested in the idea, continue to
remind me that there are MANY people among us who enjoy talking about
cohousing, but are not yet ready to take action.

Fortunately, there are also MANY people in cohousing that are happy to talk
with anyone about anything cohousing - almost any time. This does help
empower some of the talkers into talking action. The real trick, for many,
seems to be moving from acting as an individual, to becoming part of a
defined group that is making decisions that leads to more decisions.

I see my primary role, as Coho/US ED, as working to support those among us
that are taking actions - those who are forming cohousing communities, those
who live in established communities that want/need support, and those who
are offering goods and services to the emerging cohousing market. I don't
see value to Coho/US in spending Coho/US's energy in ad hoc long-distance
telephone networking with whoever shows up. Our current related work is
further developing the Webinar model - that combines online presentations
(which require pre-planning) with telephone (that focuses around the
pre-planned work). At this point, my Coho/US time seems better spent working
with Coho/US staff and volunteers (including the Coho/US Board), defined
Groups (both forming and established) and  the growing number of Cohousing
Professionals (which includes Eris).

I see my primary role as New Earth Song Project Manager as working with our
group's members and business partners to create a very specific cohousing
project. I don't see much value in spending New Earth Song's energy in ad
hoc long-distance telephone networking. My New Earth Song time seems better
spent working with specific professionals, land owners, and prospective
members - those who find us through our various outreach efforts.

So, I'm excited that there's some energy for these calls, but do not see
them as fitting my personal needs or serving the interests of either Coho/US
or New Earth Song at this time.

Craig

P.S. Because of the immediate and lasting value of email communication,
sharing about Coho/US, and New Earth Song with the broad readership of
Coho-L and "recording" current thinking about Coho/US plans into the growing
archive does meet the interests of both of these organizations.

On Feb 13, 2008 10:58 AM, Eris Weaver <eris [at] erisweaver.info> wrote:

>
> Ananda wrote:
> > Lets pick up the energy  and support this resource!  Its a great way to
> > communicate, but we're not having many show up.
>
> I appreciate any and all efforts to network and create connections among
> cohousers. I can only offer my OWN reasons for not participating in these
> phone calls - perhaps others have similar reasons. Or maybe different
> ones.
>
>
-- 
Craig Ragland
Coho/US Exec. Dir.
www.cohousing.org