Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Meal Tracking

[Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah (welcome]

Like Springhill, RoseWind Cohousing tracks meals in a pretty low-tech way. In 
addition to a weekly potluck, we have one weekly meal prepared by cooks. 

Who cooks? A simple sign up sheet with dates on the bulletin board. Might say 
"Helen and Pete" or "Maraiah + ______" (i.e.  I'm looking for someone to work 
with me.) Voluntary. Those of us who cook usually do so once in 6-8 weeks. 

A weekly sheet on the bulletin board beside that has date, cooks' names, and 
menu (cooks determine what they want to cook), followed by a list of members' 
names. Circle if you're coming, cross out if you're not. If cooks see someone 
has done neither, they may phone and inquire. Or cooks may email the group, 
with a reminder of the menu and to sign up or rsvp by email. 

Money tracking. A volunteer keeps a spreadsheet of payments, and notes who 
comes to each meal, deducting meal cost from their account. Asks cooks what 
their expenses were, and credits the cooks for that. 

We've done this for many years, and so far it has worked satisfactorily. Not 
everyone uses the Internet regularly, but those who eat at the Common House are 
a fairly steady population, and often sign up for the next week's meal while 
attending the one prior, or the potluck prior. 

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing, Port Townsend WA
gardening in shirtsleeves yesterday, spring flowers bustin' out all around 
us....