Category: Relating


Trading “Fairness” for Understanding

Submitted by Deborah Miranda on
As Lead of Community Agreements for my community, I have come to doubt the value and viability of “fairness.” I think fairness is occasionally possible, but rarely is it always possible for everyone.  In a complex situation like cohousing, if we strive to be fair to everyone, we are fair to no one, because the whole process becomes bogged down and... Read More

Cohousing Across the Country – Part 1

Submitted by Karen Gimnig on
This summer I drove from Atlanta, GA to Anacortes, WA, which is to say I moved home. As I crossed the country, I engaged with as much community as I could. I’m sharing that journey here, in seven parts, with gratitude and lessons learned.   Part 1 of 7 The beginning of any journey is the... Read More
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Tune-Up Experiences: Enhancing Cohousing Communities

Submitted by Becky Laskody - Arcadia Cohousing, Michael Madera - -New View Cohousing on
[We received these two responses to our inquiry about experiences of those who have sought “tune ups” to enhance their communities.] From Michael Madera, New View Cohousing (Acton, MA) In April 2015, Laird Schaub engaged in a ‘tune-up’ retreat with us over 4 days, 2 of which were in facilitating full day plenary meetings. His... Read More

The 100,000-mile Community Tune Up

Submitted by Laird Schaub on
I’ve been a group process consultant for 28 years. For the first 26 years most of my work was focused on weathering storms, or training groups in foul weather drills, so that they could better handle heavy seas themselves. In the last 18 months, however, there’s been something of a sea change. In addition to... Read More