Getting the Work Done
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Getting the Work Done.
Saturday 10:30 – 12:00 am
We will explore several types of work systems, the types and division of labor within communities, how to inspire your fellow cohousers to "do their share", what does "your share of the work" mean, when and how children should be included in the community work, and tried-and- true methods to make less work for everyone.
AUDIENCE: existing communities
PRESENTER: Lyons Witten is a 15-year resident of Pioneer Valley Cohousing in Amherst, MA. He has been chair of the Buildings & Grounds Committee for most of that time and likes to work with his neighbors on regular tasks, maintenance, and special projects. He also likes to ski, bike, hike, coach soccer, and fence Epee with his family.
1a. Using Spirit When the System Gets Stuck
Nancy Lanphear
The food program relies on many people performing their particular roles in a timely fashion. Not having the menus turned in on time became a major obstacle to food purchasing, so Rachel, who was responsible for collecting menus came up with a scheme of giving virtual prizes for the first cook to submit their menu. The virtual awards were announced to the whole community and became something we looked forward to because of the clever and often comical nature of the virtual awards, e.g. a virtual Taj Mahal, a virtual giant pumpkin pie, the virtual world’s smallest violin. The strategy, which took place over many months, was quite effective in raising consciousness and shifting the pattern of cooks submitting their menus on time, or at least indicating when they will have their menus ready.
—Nancy
Work: Guilt-Free Workshare
Kevin Oliveau & Brigitte Wazans
Come hear how Workshare has evolved over time into a system that is fun, fair and easy-going, with valuable lessons learned along the way. Workshare is part of the contentious issues for communities, involving money, labor, fairness. Members will have different opinions about what should be done, how much work to require, what counts as work, and how to enforce agreements. A second community will share a different approach to all those questions. Can we promote a sustainable process for common grounds and spaces without a carefully structured system? Can we expect accountability and commitment by invitation only, and can we help to create motivation and pride with a good breakfast? Seven years of this = some results to share.
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.
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