Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: limited-access events in common space

[Jessie Kome (jehako]

Hi-

It is interesting how group values differ.  I think our rule at Eastern Village 
(without taking the time to look it up - not through my coffee yet this 
morning) is that closed or invite-only events are OK, but community events are 
a higher priority.  If someone wants to have a single or repeating event of 
this sort, the sponsoring member has to tell the community as far in advance as 
possible and explicitly ask if there are any objections.  If there are no 
objections, or they are worked out, then the member tells the guests the 
expected rules of behavior (we are not a zoo, no looking in windows; clean up 
after your group. . .) and has the event.

Our community has engagement with the greater neighborhood and the world 
written into our vision statement.  Many of us feel that having guests into 
this community spreads the word about cohousing, LEED certification, and 
increases our voice and ability to change the world for the better.  The 
members who do not feel this, or don't feel it as strongly, have consented to 
the policy as it has evolved.  It was somewhat contentious at first, but seems 
to have largely settled down.  Especially as we have realized that the vast 
majority of events are community or extended family oriented.

Jessie Handforth Kome
Eastern Village Cohousing
Silver Spring, MD
"Where the snow is slowly slowly melting."