Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Consensus, Majority vote, blocks

[Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah (welcome]

A poster roasted
> those who chose to ignore six months of proposal development, but  
> then show up the general meeting of all, and block a proposal  
> because they don't "like" it.

It's really important not to let the team crafting a proposal do so in  
a vacuum! We used to have people work months on a proposal then be  
devastated when the group, or a number in the group, didn't like it.  
Led to burn out. We learned to get community input early and often.

Proposal makers usually bring something like a first draft to a  
discussion circle. This circle doesn't make decisions, but the input  
often assists the proposal crafters in realizing what concerns will  
need to be addressed or avoided, what additions or changes will  
improve the proposal and its chances of meeting people's needs.

Prior to such a circle, there is often an email, and bulletin board,  
notice of what will be discussed, and relevant background material.

Getting input early avoids the craft-ers doing too much work in an  
unproductive direction; they are also less attached to the draft than  
something they thought they were perfecting in committee. And once a  
proposal comes before the group, a lot has already been resolved.

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
www.rosewind.org
RoseWind Cohousing, long-built in Port Townsend WA
Striking custom wood-paneled dome house now for sale, 2300 sq ft on  
two levels, $385K.