Minutes of Mosaic Commons General Meeting
Sunday, June 16, 2002, 3:30-6:30

Decisions:

Action Items:

Discussion:

1. Opening Activity: Question: What topic do you consider to be the most boring thing to talk about?

2. Opening: Roxanne lit our candle and explained its significance
Kim reviewed our colored cards and ground rules.

3. Announcements and approval of agenda. Agenda was approved. Jean H. announced she would like to drop back to a Friends Status. Lisa W. announced her intention to become an Associate member. (Group sang Hallelujah Chorus).

4. Review and approve minutes from previous meetings. Minutes from 5/19 and 6/2 were approved with a reminder that "committees" should be referred to as "teams."

5. LLC Annual Report Signing by Equity Members. Dwight facilitated the signing of the Annual Report of the LLC by members and Associates with Associates signing as Witnesses. The $500.00 annual fee will be paid to the Commonwealth by the Finance Team.

6. Land/Site Update. John summarized the recent land search efforts. He mentioned the purpose of the land site memo sent out previous to this meeting -- to give a context for the present discussion. Site 1: Taylor Road—CSH is pursuing the kind of offer we will make on it. CSH is feeling out whether the developer would be willing to budge on the numbers. Site 2: Stow gravel site—CSH would like to create a relationship with a different developer; needs to be cleaned up. May need a 40B. Site 3: Maynard—industrial; noise concerns? Might need a 40B or re-zoning. It looks like we would be able to have 24-26 units on this property, however, we do not know if the town of Maynard would allow us to cluster housing on this site. We do not know how clean this site is or what has been dumped on it—Kim is going to look into this. Site #4: Lincoln—Cash issue; how interested is seller in selling to us?; may requires 40B. Jim reports that the 2 parcels of land in Acton are not going to work out.

Land/Site Team is in the process of structural reorganization. John, Kim, and Dave shared their ideas on the roles and responsibilities each might take on behalf of the Land/Site Team and discussed their understandings of the role of the liaison with Cohousing Resources. Role clarification on liaison to CoHousing Resources. John proposes that 3 people be involved in coordination the land site search. He suggests that he and Kim be the primary contacts for CR and that Greg could coordinate. Catya believes Kim should continue coordinating but in an official capacity since she’s been doing such a great job unofficially. Kim does not feel she has a great feel on the Land/Site position, and doesn’t think she’s all that interested in the paperwork that comes along with it.

Dwight - Lots of chefs, not enough vegetable choppers? Too many people responsible for this? John – Point well taken – Addition is that we need a person who can get into the nitty details on the specifics, and that is a role for Greg. As this evolves, the work will increase.

Catya—Let’s write up the responsibilities of each role on email so we know what we’re talking about. Steph—Has the land site team met to discuss this yet? Kim—Feels mixed about changing her role. Dwight—suggests the land site team meet to clarify the roles and responsibilities they would like to assume.

7. Report on 40B Class - Rosa, Kim - 5 min. Rosa summarized the class. Not geared for coho folks; more given from the perspective of developers. We did not get a solid answer about the lottery question….most likely, it will vary from town to town and will probably have some, but not all, control over the membership process. We should avoid a 40B if possible. There’s no set density; each application is judged on its own merit. We may want to ask for a greater density than we want, however it’s a fine line, b/c we don’t want to approach the town with outrageous numbers and piss them off at the outset. Towns can deny applications on a number of grounds, such as if the town has reached its 10 percent affordable housing quota. Email Rosa or Kim if you have further questions about 40B. We believe the lottery varies by town and the agency through which you do your 40B. Rosa and Kim have a 40B Bible that they got from the seminar.

8. Equity Member / Associate Distinction for Land/Site Decisions (raised by Chris) - Facil - Discussion - 20 min. Kim—CHR would like us to consider providing more distinctions between Associates and Equity members.

Go-Around:

Abby—uncomfortable about how it was raised at the meeting; why is CSH bringing this up instead of a member? If equity members feel like associates are too active I’d like to hear directly from them.

Jim—I don’t quite understand what CSH’s point was. I was under the impression it was that there is a distinction between equity members and associates. What’s the big deal?

Dave—Two issues: 1) Are the Equity members being swayed by people who don’t have as much financial steak in the project? And 2) are the associates feeling like their work is not being appreciated?

Catya—This is valid. Equity members may need to have a stronger voice; there’s a difference between doing work and directing work. There may be a concern about non-equity members making too many directing decisions. It’s not about who does the work, but who makes the decisions around direction.

Joan—When I first joined the group I was surprised when I learned that Associates actually vote on certain issues.

Ben—I think the level of inclusion of Associates is wonderful, but is something worth thinking about in terms of amount of say in terms of land preferences. As an associate I don’t think it’s my place to determine how this is set up. Appropriate deference to Equity members b/c of what they have at stake.

Rick—Part of being an Associate is learning about the group and the process.

San—A stronger yes for Equity members seems somewhat important to me in certain circumstances.

Kai—Divisions between members are a bad idea. But hearing Associates before Equity members on purchase decisions may be a good way to go. We could ponder this: if an Equity household feels it’s appropriate, we could invite Associates thoughts before Equities’ thoughts.

Sarah—I don’t want to take the financial risk, and therefore I don’t feel I have the right to dictate to Equity members.

Langdon—liked idea of hearing from Associates first and then Equities, especially on something that will cost a lot of money, for instance, telling CSH how to spend his time.

Dwight—What lay behind CSH’s suggestion? What concerns do Associates have that might be keeping them from becoming Equity members? We could learn a lot from that. I think we need to hear what CSH said as a suggestion, we could take it or leave it.

Steph—I would only be comfortable making a distinction between Associates and Equity members on the purchase decision. We need to continue to hear the voices of Associates and appreciate their sensitivity to the decisions of Equity members.

Roxanne—I don’t like the concentric circle idea of seating; I’d like to see most of our decisions made as a group of equals, except for the purchase decision.

Judy—Would like to know where CSH was coming from and why he made this suggestion.

Rosa—I feel strongly that we give Equity members a stronger voice when it comes to certain decisions, even though I feel strongly about our non-hierarchical structure. We could invite Associates to sit back a bit on controversial decisions. Maybe if we don’t resolve a question within two meetings, we could hear from Associates before the Equity members vote.

Virginia—I think CSH was sensing dissatisfaction among Equity members for the way the land search process is going and that his suggestion about the circles was to have Equity members sit face to face and that they are held accountable to each other. As an Associate, I feel Associates are incredibly listened to and incorporated into the group process.

John—Absolutely against decision-making methods that create divisions between members. However, perhaps Equity members should have more say where there’s a serious financial stake involved.

Ken—My assumption is that CSH’s message was to point out possible land mines from his past experience. I don’t feel I need a brighter green card and I don’t feel I need any more tools to make my voice heard. I’m looking for green cards; it doesn’t matter if it’s held up by an Associate or an Equity member.

Catya—We should keep in mind that the last time we made a decision on land we made it with Orange Cards from Associates, and we did it successfully.

Rosa—We don’t need solid green in order to get consensus.

We can continue this discussion on line and make more time for it on our next meeting.

10. Process Check-in - Process Observer - Growth - 5+ minutes

Cat – Gave reminder to frame the discussion and don’t assume people have the same background.

Lisa / Abby – Abby was cut off at the end of the previous discussion, talked through the issue.

Dwight—We might have some sort of symbolic hat to show who’s got the facilitation role at the moment.

Rick—How is Abby feeling right now?

Abby—I was uncomfortable with the whole suggestion about making distinctions between Associates and Equity members. How are we [Associates] directing anything? You told us to be active, now I feel like we’re being told to shut up. Should we do work on Lincoln or not? Land Site is disorganized, I feel there’s a power struggle about who gets to do what. I don’t feel welcome with the conversation about the possibility of making distinctions between members.ar Kim—Thank you for your thoughts. We will work to make you feel safer.

Steph—Would the conflict resolution team be helpful here? You brought up a lot and I think that people would like to respond. You brought up a lot of good questions and concerns.

John—I think our strength as a group is listening to your concerns. It isn’t so much a disorganization as it is a certain synergy with people pitching in from many different directions. I don’t want you to quiet your strong articulate work in this group. We do need to get more organized, but there’s a certain level of disorganization that we all have to be patient with.

Ben—I feel for Abby’s discomfort but I am uncomfortable right now. This group has developed a process and I am uncomfortable with the level of criticism I feel from you about that process.

Catya—The important stuff is what you’re feeling. I appreciate the work you and Jim are doing, and want to acknowledge that. I don’t want to minimize your concerns, but we have a lot of new Associate members; CSH was suggesting something that really had nothing to do with your work.

Virginia—As a new Associate, I have never once experienced a sense that people were talking about me behind my back. This group doesn’t seem to engage in that kind of behavior. I’m hearing that you’re personalizing some things that were not intended to be directed at you.

Abby—(to Ben) I don’t feel it’s fair to say I’m criticizing the group when I’m talking about my own feelings here.

Catya--CSH was bringing up a concern that we should look at some things, and I think that’s legitimate.

Ben—It was your comments about our level of disorganization that made me feel criticized.

Judy—I would like to know what you need from us to help you with some of the feelings you’ve expressed. In response to Ben’s discomfort, perhaps he was responding to the judgment statements when Abby was phrasing her feelings.

Rosa—We should all think about community-building activities outside of general meetings so that we can deal with some of this without taking so much away from the business that needs to be done. I would also encourage people to bring up emotional issues on line as well.

11. Finance / Professionals re Cohousing Resources - Dwight - 15 min. - Cash flow, June contract. Dwight—Cash call for $5600.00. Needs bids ASAP.

12. Action Items - Roxanne - Information - 5 min

13. Remaining Team/Committee Reports - Teams - Information - 20 minutes. Catya—If you have team meeting minutes you want listed on the web site under Minutes, let Catya know. Catya also reports that Homeport is taking over hosting for the bostoncohousing.org website, CAtya wil ltkae over as webmaster of that site.

14. Upcoming Tours of other Cohousing Communities - Kim - Information - 5 min. July 14^th—Island Tour, Oak Bluffs, Alchemy Farms. June 23^rd – Cambridge CoHo and Cornerstone.

15. Bios - 10 min. Bios were completed for Sarah, Virginia,

16. Review/Establish time, place, agenda items for next meeting and social event - Facil - Organization - 5 min. We are hoping to have a social on Sunday, June 30^th

General Meetings: 7/7 (in 3 weeks!), 7/21 (at Parmenter).

Intro Meetings: 7/21.

Socials: Sun 6/30 Something Fun (Kim).

17. Review of Meeting & Closing - Proc. Obsr. - Growth - 10 min Rosa—This isn’t directed at anyone in particular, but I’ve felt a little bit railroaded at the past two meetings by people’s emotional stuff and I wonder how we can meet people’s needs without sidetracking our meeting for a half hour.

Steph—As we grow, our process is going to change. There’s a huge learning curve to learn our history and our culture and that’s especially challenging for the new comers.

Sarah—I agree with Steph.

Judy - There may be an in-group and out-group dynamic that happens when there’s some people who have a certain level of comfort with each other. I think doing community-building activities is really important right now. One way to do that is to host small dinners with new and old people in order to build connections between people.

Ken—With regard to the way we’re changing, it wasn’t that long ago that we were meeting around two small tables and now were filling every seat in this large room.

Catya—We are facilitating meeting differently and we may want to think about how we’re doing that.

Future Agenda Items: * Bios exercise for Greg, Jim, Abby, Lisa Wolf * Hot Topics: 1. Pet Policy, 2. Solicitation, 3. Political Signs, Evangelizing * CR Report * EcoVillage concept overview * Equity Mem. Announcement Proposal * Welcoming & Integrating new folks on the Community Level

Contact us! * Email info or webmaster

Last modified: June 21, 2002