Work: "Fair Share" - Getting the Work Done

Norma Wassel & Lyons Witten

This workshop will examine the philosophy and practice of “sharing the load” of community work, both physical and non-physical—those ever-present committees! Issues of equity, setting expectations, and implementation will be reviewed, including what has worked and not worked in different cohousing communities.

Lyons Witten has lived at Pioneer Valley Cohousing in Amherst, MA since it was built in 1994. He has been Chair of the Buildings & Grounds Committee for most of the last 14 years, and is married to cohousing architect Laura Fitch. Lyons' focus is on the practical methods of keeping systems running, knowing when to ask for help, and finding ways to include everyone in the work of keeping community running. Lyons likes to cook and plow snow.

Norma Wassel is a co-founder and current resident of Cambridge Cohousing, MA. While living there over the past ten years, she has been an active member of the community, including development oversight, managing board, and other various committees. Trained as a social worker, Norma has worked as a human services administrator throughout the country, as well as abroad. In addition, she has also taught graduate level courses in administration, planning, and program policy within an inclusive decision-making framework.