Delegation/Committees

Cohousing Topics

Below are all of the blog entries, articles, and descriptions of past and future events on our website related to Delegation/Committees. Can't find something? Let us know

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From Whole Group to Circle Decisions

Submitted by Sharon Villines on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 15:03

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Sharon Villines

Q In an organization that previously worked by consensus of the whole, the shift to consent within circles seems like a loss of power and "equal say" for me as a member of my community. If I am in the Buildings & Grounds Circle and have an objection to a proposal being decided in the Membership Circle's domain, I feel powerless. I would have to persuade my circle to take my concern to the General Circle and direct it down again to the Membership Circle. How can I explain sociocratic equivalence and "everyone has equal say" when I don't?

The standard is that everyone has the right to consent or object within their domain. But this standard is designed for workplaces, not living places. In a workplace everyone's concerns are focused fairly narrowly on the requirements of their job, and in order to run an efficient production line, the domains are clearly defined.

Could you be missing hot leads? Make sure prospective members can reach your group

Submitted by Cohousing Coaches on Tue, 01/05/2010 - 02:21

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By Raines Cohen, Cohousing Coach

I was distressed to see someone in the Fayetteville, North Carolina area asking about reaching cohousing neighborhoods in the "Live Wire" (answers/citizen advocate) column in the Fay Observer today. The illustrates the importance of making sure that websites and communities/cohousing directory entries are kept up to date and that we all work together to make sure that our community contacts are responsive.

A frustrated reader wrote:

We're seniors who are interested in cohousing. In August, we wrote three cohousing communities but didn't hear back from any of them. Can you tell us why? - T.R., Fayetteville

2009 Featured Process Consultants

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On June 24-28, 2009, our Annual National Cohousing Conference will feature a number of Top Cohousing Process Consultants - some very well-known, established consultants with years of experience with facilitation, consensus training, and group process consultations and numerous Cohousing Communities - and some who's emerging practices are generating new ways of thinking about group decision making.

Those who attend the 2009 conference have the opportunity to enjoy and learn with...

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Name Leads

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In principle, whenever a group identifies something that needs to be done, it helps to name a “lead;” that is, the person responsible for taking the next step. If a new committee is formed, who is responsible for convening the first meeting? If more information about something is needed, who will actually gather it and report back to the group? Things for which no one is directly responsible tend to get dropped. Naming a “go to” person (lead) for each thing lets everyone know who to call if they have a question about it. Being named lead on something gives me a sense of responsibility and compels me to do a good job.