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

[R Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

The implication here is that if we are surprised by objections at a Meeting of 
the Whole, it's probably because we did not do enough outreach.  I guess in 
some tautological sense, this could be true.  But at Cornerstone, we knock 
ourselves out to ensure that community business is as open and transparent as 
possible.

First, a proposal-writing group can self-appoint, but needs at least three 
households at a meeting in order to make any decisions.  Second, apart from the 
Managing Board mandated by State law, our committees and groups have no members 
except for in the moment, at the meeting.  In other words, anyone can show up 
at any meeting, anytime, and enjoy all equal privileges of talking, consensing, 
and blocking.  Third, we have requirements that any such meeting be properly 
noticed in advance, with an agenda that is more than telegraphic buzz-phrases, 
and that meeting minutes re decisions taken, plus any relevant documentation, 
get posted to the community.  (OK, on this last one, some people are more 
diligent than others ...)

So I don't know if this meets the standards of a discussion circle, but it 
feels pretty open to me.

However, we need reciprocity here:  The group's duty to be visible and 
transparent is balanced by the individual's duty to wake up, pay attention, and 
deal in good faith.  So one of the challenges — especially for those of us 
still employed, and/or raising kids — is that of finding enough time to go to 
all the meetings.  Obviously, we all have to prioritize — which is why I am 
always lobbying for good agendas before, and good minutes after.  I may not 
choose to go to Bike Task Force Meeting or the Membership Committee Meeting on 
a regular basis, but I often reply to a posted agenda, or to posted draft 
documentation, with an e-mail that says, "Can you consider this ...?" or "Try 
to avoid that ..."  Having thus offered my input, I've done my (prioritized) 
job as a community member — after which, I never block, and generally have no 
interest in thwarting the considered initiative of others.

Most of our community is more or less aligned to the principles and processes 
described above.  There are a few chronic blockers who are not.

R Philip Dowds AIA
Cornerstone Cohousing
175 Harvey Street, Unit 5
Cambridge, MA 02140
617.354.6094

On Sep 25, 2011, at 9:49 PM, Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah wrote:

> 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.