All-Community
All-Community
All-Community
Topics: Topics: tree damage neighbor's fence, management replacement
Discussion: security
All-Community
Topics: Topics: damage to neighbor's fence, internet, nonprofit, roofs, Facebook page
All-Community
All-Community
All-Community
Topics: Topics: north fence, common meals
Discussion: Discussion: transitions
All-Community
annual, process
Mngmt.
Will be seeking new members
Working to shift management of Crown to Susan Schow
Budget process has begun, all committees supplied #s
12/18 meeting will be drafting budget
Reserve funds appear inadequate and will need to be
Marla Dee has agreed to take on the bookkeeping at $225/month
Meeting 2X Tues. a month see calendar. Topics upcoming: Budget, elections, CROWN
No 2nd ACM December
See handout on model
Inevitability there is a pinch, or disruption in (shared) expectations. Maybe something was a violation of agreement, or interpreted as such. Renegociate expectations or uncertainty or ambiguity, maybe anxiety or resentment.
Could clarify or find resentment with person ("Im done") or go back to renegotiation under duress of oriinal sharing info and negotiating the expectations.
The concept is to expect pinches, plan to revisit, renegociate, especially when there is a pinch. That's actually the best point to clarify and make new agreements.
Process is offering model and want to answer questions about it.
Q There are two types of termination: resentful and planned termination. What practical ways will that be expressed?
(Not a cohousing model)
Could look at Linda Reed shifting roles as a planned termination.
The sooner you share reactions, to hopefully avoid difficulty and resentfulness.
Ask Sandra about the forming, norming, storming model she mentioned.
There are always choices about new pinch points. Needs to be ongoing revisions to everything. Less you share upfront, the less disruption there is to expectations. Once expectations are understood then the role clarity follows, and less likely to have pinch points.
What applications do you see in it?
Useful because it helps map the process and recognizes the reality that it's normal to have pinches. Very reassuring to know you can renegotiate. Hopeful.
Pinches you feel safe to share? Pinches can be really tiny. Work through little things and then in the future the model is easier to use.
Would love to use this as a way to get real with things. Clarify and share expectations. New people, specifically, need lots of info, preferably written, to answer questions.
Pinch could equal a trigger. Let's use the language here say with each other "I've got a pinch here" to explain to people what's going on for you to others in a neutral way.
We've been doing lots of this with sharing expectations like the lighting and security conversation, the dine and shine, where we talk about and clarify expectations. Maybe every other acm we take that approach on expectations of different things in the community. Make a more historical take on topics why do we do things the way we do? Spend a concerted amount of time on it.
Use pinches as information. Assumes that people know how to communicate what they feel instead of telling people what they are doing you hate, say how you feel and what would feel better. Rather than dumping or blowing off steam, use pinch as way to express in respectful, informative way.
Tonight, example: Mary and Kay and their friend brought dog in house when dogs aren't allowed in CH for a long time. Lots of pinches were created like pinch of this isn't allowed, pinch of history, allergies, people not listening to others, total disregard. Could have been handled better if we did more of this kind of conflict resolutions. Previous experience was shoving back and overwhelming. Should have licenced service animal. But no id. Because of prior relationships go right to resentment.
There are a lot of people in little loops, informed by history instead of the situation. Hopefully we can use this to get back to reality and out of some of the loops.
You find out what people really care about when they get emotional. If you look closely and try and understand them.
Dogs in ch? No. Come back to this issue.
Share info. Could be done in lots of different ways. Maybe the committee new people are in a "new people" committee to learn about org without having to make choices and do too much. Idea that could lead to more stability .look at it as orientation process? There will always be new members.
New Years Eve: Games, dancing, music, countdown, food.
Recommitment event on or around solstice. What do we want to let go of and what to we want to bring more of. Share history. Honor what we have been and carry forward things too. Let go of loops. Invite previous members. Activities. Bring your own beer, wine, etc. Amy D will send emails to people who used to live here. Larraine will put out potluck list.
Anyone who wants to help out with New Years party talk to Larraine.
Chapel meeting Wed., Sun. - ACM times?
From:From: WaCoHo on behalf of Michele Frandsen\Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 3:36 PM
Subject: [WaCoHo] ACM This Wednesday
Attachments: Pinch Model.doc;
Hello All,
I apologize for the delay in getting the agenda out to everyone.
We on process had hoped to provide the community with a chance to meet Susan Schow who is the woman who has been hired to assist Wasatch Commons with our Crown Program. We were unable to arrange that for this ACM, but hope to do so in the future.
As our Crown Program reaches its maturity, our community has additional responsibilities and obligations to support the Crown Residents in making the transition from renters to owners. With the exception of Crown Residents and those who have served on Management, many of us in the community have very little knowledge about the program and the legal obligations that go along with it. Linda Reed gave an excellent overview of the origins and the various legal structures of Wasatch Commons, which included an overview of the Crown Program at a previous ACM. We hope to expand on that overview and deepen the understanding and support of the Crown Program. We saw the hiring of Susan Schow as an excellent opportunity to do just that. So look to hear more about that in the future.
Here is tomorrow's agenda:
I will attach the pinch model as a word document for those who are able to open it. I was unable to cut and paste it here. I will post it in the common house.
Thank you, Michelle
* [Vaughn] Tasha and students April 16-17 camping
* Elections in 2 weeks, can vote by mail or early; early voting doesn't need to be in own precinct.
* Nancy's 70th bday Saturday 10/16, rsvp Joanne
* Common house cleaning party Saturday 26th
* Pumpkin carving, BYO pumpkin, Wednesday 27th
* Harvest Feast 10/25 Saturday
When adding vegetation to compost heap in the orchard, deposit on the far (south) end. Do not cover valve box (green box in ground). No branches. Nonwoody vegetation only.
Irrigation for common house lawns is off - timer off, water not yet drained. Water left on in garden until end of October, subject to weather.
Management/Crown. Adult children living with main lease-holder of crown unit have been added to the leases, Linda P's Kelsey & Vivian's Michael F. (Issue for storage bin: May the community dictate who the lease-holder can allow to live with them? Mgt judged there would not be consensus in the community on this issue when it decided to proceed with the leases.)
Linda presented diagram. A group of dreamers got some investors and formed Wasatch Cohousing Inc, a Utah nonprofit, who with loan from U.S. Bank was developer getting 26 homes built. Each home owner owns 1/26 undivided share of common property. Developer was repaid as each home owner got a mortgage. (Washington Mutual ended up doing many of the mortgages.) American Express funded crown unit construction. Wasatch Commons Crown LLC owns five homes. Wasatch Cohousing is 1% owner of Wasatch Crown and managing partner. Am Express is 99% owner & silent partner; gets tax credits.
All owners are on board of Wasatch Commons Condominium Association and of Wasatch Cohousing. Bylaws say five owners are elected to do everything to manage community. In practice all residents participate in management. Community has chosen to add one renter & one crown representative to Mgt.
Linda has been (1) property manager of Wasatch Commons Crown, only employee, and (2) bookkeeper, WCCA only employee. Mgt is currently seeking outside company to manage Crown. Linda will step down as bookkeeper in January & will need to be replaced; abt 18 hrs/mo.
Mgt will be working on budget planning in next meetings, for community's annual meeting January.
Laraine is leaving Mgt. Bylaws say Mgt chooses temporary new member for remainder of year (November & December). Mgt decided to bring choice to community. At next annual meeting, a new member is elected for a full term, not fulfilling outgoing member's term. That means four elections in January, with only one continuing member (Tyler).
Some concern a new resident would be unfamiliar with issues & require more time to bring up to speed than usual for a new Mgt member. Kevin polled all owners present. Mike A accepted a nomination.
Mgt is requested to confirm Mike A as Mgt member for remainder of this year; meeting tomorrow night.
Some little-used equipment has been donated to another organization. Safety concerns. Free weights get used without a spotter; is it worthwhile requesting users to sign waiver? Particulates in shop air migrate to exercise room; users open windows to get "clean" air then forget to close them upon leaving. Users of double-digit room have sometimes gone into exercise room. Agreement at move-in was that children should not use exercise equipment. (Double-digit room has been seen to be in use in very early hours of morning. Agreement establishing dbl-digit was parents would escort users & lock & unlock. It was decided this is an issue for discussion at another time.) Mike P says waiver won't make a difference legally if community is judged negligent in having weights; better than nothing but not worth much. Any resident suing WCCA is basically suing themselves. About half dozen residents present use exercise room.
From: Linda Reed\Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 9:19 PM
To: Kay ArgyleFrom: Kay Argyle\Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:35:23 -0600 To: Vicky Wason
Subject: Re: [WaCoHo] ACM minutes Wednesday Oct 13, 2010
Could you please check the dates below and re-send? Some are impossible, e.g., Saturday 26th."
Sorry, I must have misread the dates from the whiteboard, trying to catch up (the laptop didn't finish booting until near the end of Announcements). Could people who know the correct dates respond?
Kay
From: WaCoHo on behalf of Vicky Wason\Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 9:46 PM
To: Kay ArgyleSubject: Re: [WaCoHo] ACM minutes Wednesday Oct 13, 2010
This Saturday Oct 23rd at 6pm is the Harvest dinner. Wed October 27th at 7pm is pumpkin carving.
Hope to see a good turn out. SLCC International students will join us for the harvest dinner. High School Exchange students and their host families will join us for pumpkin carving.
Vicky
Hans: Marci has guests Vaughn and David staying for a period of time, they will be attending an ACM
Nancy: I'd like to ask a question: When did we change the rule that we need to notify the community of new members?
Naomi: Elections in 1 month; Nov. 2; Carroon running for Gov., pls. assist; please get registered, vote by mail is in option as well; Naomi has registration
Moving along well. Larraine is going off mgmt. In December there will be 4 new positions available. Hob Vaughn and Lydia rotating off naturally, Larraine is leaving early. Next meeting agenda we should get a formal withdrawl from Larraine and then hold an election to replace. Then the other three in December.
Proposed that we give $ to neighbors for damage that the branch did when if fell in windstorm. Facebook page will be going out to everyone which will be a mock up for us to see before it's made public . All units are full.
Kevin doing roof access work: painting trim, cleaning gutters, caulking, roof repairs, branch removal. Units 21, 23, 25 5, 6 are finished. Now working on 3 and 4. Next it'll be 22, 24, 26. Then 15, 17. Have concerns? Tell Kevin asap so all roof access is done at once. Mike P on utilities board. They've seen contractors scamming homeowners about roots in sewer lines. It's unlikely tree roots would be an issue because our sewer pipes are too new. There might be grease issues in the sewers. Don't use garbage disposals. He handed out info.
Green team is looking at a no idling ordinance and they're looking for feedback. Susan sent email with the info. If you're idling your car for more than 30 seconds you should turn it off.
Anyone want to help with harvest dinner (Sandra asking)?
Thanks to Michelle for putting survey together and spending so much time on reporting!
How to handle disclosure? Set guidelines? Point is to understand each other . Not exact.
Reactions Groups of 3-4. Will address questions, surprises, confirmations, missing items?
Report out to group with summaries:
New: fence outside of community. Keep it all fenced in. Surprised at how much fear is in this survey. Knowing neighbors outside our community would make us safer, feel better. Cameras. Mary pointed out we have two fake cameras. Maybe we should get a real one to watch double digit room or kids room. Fake cameras are only effective if people don't know. Security issue with kids room. Garage not being locked. Car alarms. People watch for the little flashing light. We could set up a fund for car alarms for bpeople to borrow from and pay back little by little.
Background checks. What would be done with that information? It might be more feasible with renters. Do we have consequence? Lots of range on the issue of light. We all have different definitions of what's enough. We don't agree on what it means to have more. Doors so they lock behind you? Solutions that don't require people to change their behavior is more helpful. What privacy issues are there with video cameras?
Crystal and Thomas are the neighbors that
We feel safe!!Don't really feel there is a big problem. Lights on the houses (cage lights) really glare in our windows and the people who are across. Maybe other lights would help? Something covered.
Surprised that there was security issues. Discussed video cameras and lighting issues. Cameras aren't effective. Actual cameras might also address internal security and safety issues better than just light. One person really impacted by the tagging that happened on property a few years ago hit close to the heart. Other person felt the issues were more related to people who already live here and things people might do that are unsafe like leave access to garage open or gas cans around. Another person is concerned about people not connected or participating in community. We're not really living by our own guidelines because we don't know who these people are and they have access to our stuff. Also a problem with landlord and tenant situations where the landlord might be out of the loop. Just turning on lights not sufficient.
We feel things are not any better now or any worse in terms of security. Mike and Vicky was the first real home break in in the last 12 years. People cutting through might be scary to some. Solar lights might be a way to go they're close to the path and are on sale this time of year. Mike used to go to the community council meetings for Glendale and we're not the worst (Ave's and Sugarhouse are worse) when it comes to car break-ins and home break in's. This neighborhood has an active watch program maybe we want to participate? Set up ad hock committee to investigate. Fine line between guests and residents. The more participation you have the more secure you feel with others. If people are here 3-4 weeks they can be a guest but after that they need to be on work teams and everything else that adults in the community need.
Two kinds of security issues: internal and external.
Common house isn't being locked up enough. Need to have protocol and watch it.
Form small groups to move things forward? Security committee? Ideas? Someone to find light fixtures that would be acceptable? Not sure we have a common vision about what we want and what security means. This has been a great education process. Learning curve. Lots of people just found out about some of these issue. There is a national organization from Ashville NC where they are experts on proper lighting and how to keep the sky dark and the appropriate places lit. Susan will find the person and update her info and be on security committee. Not convinced that even a majority of the community think there is a problem. Can we have a 1-10 scale survey that is quantifiable to see if people rank things and how they feel about lighting, cameras, etc etc.
Needs to be more discussion/analysis. Three themes for next acm?
Then we may be able to drill down into the info to get a better sense of how to move forward. Another theme
Is greater safety achieved by closing our borders? Or is it better by becoming more permeable? Are we feeding into fear? Is there a way to ask about behaviors? How many people feel nervous about their children in the double digit room? How many people feel nervous coming in from the parking lot. How many people think things might get stolen?
Sharing information is helpful, communicating about issues, specific incidents.
Would be helpful to know cause as well, like ask, what has happened to make you feel that way? People who've been here a while might have incidents in the past that impact why they say what they say.
From:From: Linda Reed\Sent:: Sunday, September 26, 2010.
Thanks for great minutes.
FYI for everyone: The process to replace a management committee member is for the remaining members of the management committee to elect someone. Having said that, I doubt there would be any objection from management for the replacement member to be selected at an ACM, as this is probably a better solution anyway. The only issue for me is that we need someone ASAP. When is the next ACM?
One more correction: Management Committee members are elected at the Annual Meeting, which is the first ACM in January. I am happy to see this discussion happening now, so we can generate some interest. Please think about doing this. It is a critical committee, and takes a lot of time, and a stong commitment to work through difficult issues. However, it can be extremely rewarding from the point of view of serving the community.
Linda
Estimate on repairs to neighbor's fence and flagpole estimated at $115-150. Vicky will seek Mngmt. approval and a check.
Questioning minds: Israel/Palestine 2pm Sunday 9/12 at the main library
Friday 9/10/10 3pm visit from AZ cohousers on cohousing research tour. Need survey filled out available in CH.
Stucco and gutter/downspout repairs have been approved by Mngmt. Please contact Kevin with downspout, stucco and gutter issues.
Vicky is managing a fund for Azusong, an exchange student that formerly resided at WACOHO. His birthday is Sept. 28th.
Welcoming meeting last Wed; follow up with new families. Dusti and Jessica planning on moving into Steve's (#5).
Work support committee will be reorganizing teams.
Process announces two ACMs monthly 2nd Wed. (7pm), 4th Sun. (3pm)of each month. Sun. 26th Sept., Wed. Oct. 13th.
Landsc aping, Mike A. arranged for repair valve in CH lawn. Many broken branches.
Mike, Kay, Naomi, Hans, Linda P. need survey link resent.
Cooperative group will sponsor commercial line from Comcast at CH. Ultimately all units will be able access high speed internet, though presently units 1-6; 15,17; and 19 are disconnected. Coop members will split fee ($100/mo +installation) plus contribute an additional amount to assist in infrastructure. Jonathan is working on resolving tech issues for 1-6 and other issues. May happen this week. 22MB download speed. Upgraded bandwidth (50 Mb download) is available for $180/mo.
Might be possible to intertie with security system that would access cameras via your computer or mobile device.
If $20/mo or less for Internet: Susan and Richard; Marci; Myste; Vivian; Linda R; Mike A; Community; Sandra/Hob are in. Payments are quarterly.
Hob coordinating formation of 501(c)3 organization to benefit community through funding and promotion of extraordinary projects. 501(c) 3 organization is vessel for tax deductable donations from community members for capital projects. Solar project is likely first project. This is organization is separate from WACOHO but supportive of it and its values.
Member of 501(c)3 board will be limited to insure values and support WACOHO. Projects would require approval WACOHO for use of WACOHO assets.
Public benefit of 501(c)3 is questionable. Would org. run afoul of public requirements?
WACOHO is incorporated as Utah (not federal) non-profit. Utah nonprofit assoc. could be of assistance.
This idea came about as a result of a grant application made by Naomi for solar power. Hob, Vaughn, Linda R., Mike A., Hans and Naomi involved. Others interested: Linda P., Sandra, Susan. May be useful in acquiring rights to adjacent property (Hans' or others) or take on other infrastructure. Hans has email list for those who wish to join this group.
Previously estimates for re roofing $100K to $175K? Tryuing to understand what they should do now and the time the roofs need to be replaces- approx 5 years.
Mgt Question seeking input on are residents are inclined to endorse metal, asphalt or shingles- cost esthetics and performance considerations management to determine the amount of money that needs to be held aside for that project
Introducing this as a topic- no decision tonight.
Sandra- is there a way to calculate the cost of the roofs versus the length of time they will last- a levelized cost assessment.
Mike- we would most likely take out a loan to fund a roofing upgrade and add the repayment cost onto the HOA fee- we would be doing this for the future owners who would be benefitting in the longer term.
This doesn't impact the carport solar panel, but could impact future solar on the roofs.
Mike- the wear on the roofs is uneven depending upon our maintenance. It is possible that we might not need to replace the entire roofs, but work to replace only the areas that really need it.
Naomi- let's put some better insulation if we are going to replace the roofs.
Mary the metal roofs are also a consideration regarding fire suppression as they lower fire spreading.
Sandra- units that are sandwiched between other units perhaps they might be able to include solar tubes to add more light into their homes.
Welcoming wants to start Facebook page for marketing purposes. Intended to put face on WACOHO, maintained by WACOHO. Public activities, sales, rentals, are of the type postings likely. WACOHO web page privacy policy would be in force.
Meeting Sun. 9/12/10 4:30pm Joanne, Vicky, Maxine, Amy to discuss project. Nancy objects on privacy concerns. Tab to web page. We need to address Nancy's concerns what are the differences between this and other media exposure. Present Internet experience is poor, underwhelming. WACOHO as group requires consensus, individual initiatives do not. Setting up "Fan" relation allows participation without disclosure.
Consensus is question let's check in w/ Nancy.
Hans is progressing with the internet connection. He is updating the routers and hopes to eventually move the internet connection towards the CROWN units as well.
Laraine extends an invite to all to join the community dance as there has been positive feedback.
Work Committee: Needs to regroup, recruit new members. Stay tuned for those updates
Management Committee: Lighting issues along the path have been discussed and visited. Lydia will be continue to serve on the committee for the remainder of 2010 as this was her commitment to WaCoHo. Unit #18 has experienced some sewer problems. Elm roots have grown into the sewer line which could be indication of much more serious problems down the road.
Process Committee: nothing new
Parents Committee: Needs to regroup as well. Beau Hammond was head of this committee and recently has moved. Stay tuned for updates.
Following up on Action Research: Last ACM discussion was had about one on one communications for community members who were not in attendance of the meeting. There was some positive feedback to the one on ones, some impartial and some felt it was negative. Mutual agreement to not give up on it but reinforce the positive aspects of one on one communication. This month attempts will be had for one on ones with members whome already communicate, hoping for more natural positive discussion rather than "check ins". The objective is to update and solicit for feedback. Natalia will talk to Becky F., Laraine will speak with Isabella, Hans with Naomi, Laraine with Kevin and Amy, Natalia with Bob and Ann, Vivian with Myste, Michelle with Nancy, Sandra with Maxine.
The one on one discussion were a test for a more organized process to tackling potential problems. Need a pilot topic to start the Action Research. Topics voted on: Lighting along the path, front yard responsibility, security/breakins, Common House Use, revisiting dining, Potluck attendance, policy on noise along the path and renters/owners responsibility on maintainence. Lighting along the main path will be the pilot topic to start to explore. The next step of this Action Research is to collect input and summarize. Some feedback on the topic included; Defining the path lighting, does it include the parking lots? Front and back lighting?, lighting enough so to keep intruders out, lighting enough to feel safe coming and going, avoiding over lighting and brightness that is intrusive to neighbors and community members, cost effective and energy efficient.
Process committee will collect info and put out via email the next step of this Action Research- stay tuned. Nothing further was discussed
Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm
Kind Regards,
Natalia Lafollette
From: WaCoHo on behalf of Michelle Frandsen\Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 9:48 AM
To: Kay Argyle
Subject: [WaCoHo] ACM Background Info
Attachments:Process_Consulting_Action_Research.docx; ; Process_Consulting_Action_Research.docx;
Hi Folks, As promised here is more information regarding the Action Research process we discussed last night and at the previous meeting. Remember this notes are from 6 weeks ago and not updated from our discussion last night It is simply for those looking for more clarification. I feel embarassed that I did not have this available for you during the meeting.
I will follow up with another email regarding next steps in our process once I have spoken with the other process committee members.
In the meantime if anyone is interested in helping on this, that would be great, either as an adhocmember or go ahead and join. Hob has a great idea to r recruit help last night, I just wasn't clear headed enough to seize the moment. I really liked the energy of our meeting last night and am hopeful for our future!!
Michelle
Households that weren't represented...you will be visited by someone (whom we called "oracles" in the meeting) to go over what you missed and fill you in about the meeting.
Amy
Check in
ú Lori and Kevin visited (used to live where Linda Reed lives..98 to 2004) Lori is Acting Director at College of Eastern Utah's Library and Kevin will start there next year (just graduated from High School). If you go through Price, stop and see her.
ú Flyers to put up around town about open houses at Wasatch commons. Please take flyers, post around town, and write down on master list where you are going to post.
ú Debbie White (Michelle's friend) will housesit for Vicky and Mike while they are on vacation soon. She has a blue car with New York license plates.
ú Management Committee: Next meeting tomorrow. Kevin fixed lights around community. There were problems that needed professional help. Electrician came out. The photo sensors and timer had failed and needed to be replaced. One post had bad wires fused to base and is in process, will be fixed sometime soon.
Process Committee is trying to address everyday needs of community and shift process and spirit of the community around. Lots of ideas about changes necessary abound. But it's hard to impose in a community like this. So they've come up with a roadmap to use to help shift things here and incorporate a more rich process and community spirit here, in a way that doesn't change things overnight but that people can buy into.
ú Build Community
ú Address Underlying Cronic Issues Could be something like raising fees, or addressing participation, or what you have as privilege/responsibility around your unit
The roadmap consists of three things:
1. Action Research which is a process by which we talk about stuff which is also consistent with consensus
2. Outreach when people come to ACM, we can partner them with people not at ACM to tell them what happened at ACM but also encourage relationship building .might randomize it so youdon't necessarily choose who you talk to
3. Process Intervention community needs to learn what we're doing and reflect on us as process committee. Keeper of the heart we've gotten away from it. But we want to get back to it. While doing meetings we will have a designated person to watch group and have time outs and comment on process in real time.
Vicky can we address pot luck clean up here?
Lydia where does change happen
Kevin implementation and action plan
Lydia what if we address participation. The people who do get carrots or the stick. Where do they fit here?
Kevin Action plan (after people talk to you through sequence)
Kevin if there is buy in in all steps, then implementation will go better.
Mike P participation is huge issue and always has been boggles mind tthat people want to live here but never see them. Community does take time to build. Small group of people use survey monkey tools and interview everyone here and go through questions and comments like what would make you more likely to go to meetings? Do you want this to be like regular condo? Find answers to start with. Should management committee just make decisions and make things happen without input from those that don't show.
Mike A Objective is to get work done, lot to do, but never see people offering children to do that. Once you're a two digit age, that's time. Kids should chip in.
Kevin How can we be better as outreach piece?
Joanne participation is too big a thing. Pick one thing like ACM's. Get buy in for one thing. Falls to same people. Need to bring people in.
Kay Something small to practice on rather than large and complicated (like participation)
Kevin we want discreet sub group. Gardening? Welcoming?
Mike A defining responsibility of front yard. Very specific. Contentious enough to get practice.
Nancy process committee has met a lot about this. Tried to think it all through.
Kevin we very much appreciate Michelle for helping this process get defined.
Mike A will people be personally invited to participate who are not coming to meetings generally.
Vicky oracle?
Kevin people who are here will be sent to those who aren't
Vicky we used to name those who don't show up at meetings
Kevin we want to talk to those people and then report back assign people who live near each other for today (and future meetings will be assigned in different ways)
Small group at meeting need to go reach out to people missing.
Amy and Kevin will talk to Isabella, Larraine, and Bea/Rebecca
Naomi will talk to Natalia
Mike P will talk to Viv and Becky and Steve
Nancy will talk to Maxine
Mike A will talk to Hob
Vicky will talk to Vaughn
Joanne will talk to Carol and Mike W
Hans will talk to Linda P and Jen and Tyler
Kay will talk to Linda reed
Kevin will talk to #10?
Irrigation:
Mike A reporting
Working on cleaning it all up, diagramming it and making it all understandable. Dividing the system into drips/sprinklers. Program A fro Drip, B for Sprinklers. We need one person to be in charge of the water box. He got tags to put on valves to help.
Wasatch Commons Name:
Mike P reporting
Trademark issue with name. There is another place called Wasatch Commons up near Heber. Kay sent email which is right on. With trademarks you need to do it in regard to goods or services in marketplace so we decided not to trademark it at the time of development here when we built (we don't sell goods or services). Now we could register it just to hassle them and get the name as all our own but why? One of the only "commons" which is trademarked is Jordan Commons (they sell properties for franchises). Our corporate names are registered "Wasatch Commons Condominium Association" and "Wasatch Commons Cohousing" and "Wasatch Commons LLC" Basically they have more to lose from associating with us than we do with them. And, there isn't anything much we can do anyway. We may want to do some sort of Win-Win situation with them telling them we're here and discuss it. Maybe we can both link to each other online, to avoid future confusions.
Mike A if we always call ourselves Wasatch commons cohousing community it will help.
Hans we tell them we'll change our name to Wasatch Cohousing if they give us $10,000. We would have to change our domain name and corporate name as well.
Action We need to clarify with Jonathan where domain name is kept and is it org or com? Keep it registered.
Action put this on agenda next meeting to follow up.
Vacancies:
Hob reporting
Flyer went out to all in meeting. We have vacancies musical chairs. Hob and Sandra are vacating unit #23 and moving into #18. Frank is moved out and Jonathan is moving out.
As of Aug first 2 places will be vacant. Steve S #5 and Mike and Candace #23.
#23 3 bedroom. Their plans are whatever it takes to bring $ in, sale or lease. Using management company, real property management.
#5 is 4 bedroom, radiant heat, sale or lease.
#13 Lydia. She has renter, signed. Marla Dee.
We may end up going into fall with two units empty. Please help spread the word.
Range is 165k-190k for each of them, and 1200 a month. Also #13 Is still for sale, but honoring the one year lease to Marla Dee.
Leverage any email list you may be on. Send it out to friends. Mike P will send it as attachment so everyone can print/post/send to others.
We all need to act. Everyone is moving right now. We need to get on this asap. We have 4 weeks to figure this out. Please, everyone please take three flyers and put them up. Call/email/talk to three friends. This is the time to do it. Vacant units are no fun! We cannot afford to have these units empty.
We need prices from owners. $185 is price for Lydia's unit right now. (Lydia can sell but lease needs to be honored for the year new owner would just need to honor that and rent for duration).
There is another meeting next week and there will be a price.
Mary last time unit 5 was open for months. Can we get owners to get timer lights and keep curtains drawn so it doesn't look empty. We need to look full.
Hans bought a surveillance camera to test it out. We may want to get some.
Vicky had some people who came out today to look so please, talk to people. We need to id people who are actually looking in the next 4 weeks.
Meeting adjourned 8:50 pm. Whooo hooo out early!
From: Michele Frandsen
To: Kevin & Amy Dwyer; Nancy Munro\Sent:: Tue, Jul 13, 2010 7:15 am
Subject: Info for ACM
Summary of decisions at last process meeting:
At end of each ACM take notice of who is not present and solicit individuals to make personal contact with them to inform them about what took place at the meeting. Process members will then check up with those who have volunteered to see how the contact and exchange went.
The process team is clarifying our approach to working through long standing community issues and revitalizing the health and vibrancy of community life. We will be utilizing ACMs and other means to engage community members in this process. We recognize that we have a wide range of issues to deal with, and that many of them are multifaceted and complex. We intend to create an overall process that will enable us to resolve issues, take action, repair relationships and build our interpersonal and group skills in the meantime.
We would like to start by using several different methodologies. The first is called "Process Consulting". It can be described in the following way:
The members of a group decide that they would like to improve the effectiveness of how they function together in meetings. A consultant works with them to clarify the particular areas that they would like to improve and then reviews materials or models that relate to those specific areas. Then the group meets and works on a topic of their choice that is real and relates to all of them. The consultant acts as a third party objective observer of the group, their facilitator and the process that they are using to work their topic. At any time during the process, the consultant may call a time out and the group pauses its work. The consultant then helps the group recognize and understand it's process, what is working/not working and what it might do differently to improve how it works together. Then the "time out" is over and the group goes back to working on it's issue. In this way the group begins to resolve real issues, and subsequently learns how to be more effective in working together. This learning can then be applied to other areas of functioning.
The process group would like to begin using process consulting during our ACMs utilizing Michelle Frandsen as the consultant, as she has many years of professional experience in process consulting.
The second methodology is called "Action Research and Feedback". This is a multi stage process that allows groups to:
Collect and organize information regarding the perspectives, opinions, wants and feelings of its members.
Understand that information and make decisions about how to respond and take action based on that understanding.
The specific steps in the process are:
Outreach to community to achieve full participation
Selecting topic/s to focus on
Framing the questions to be asked of all participants
(What exactly do we need to understand to address the issues? What are the individual perspectives, wants, needs and feelings on the topic?)
Collecting Input
(Individual interviews and/or group meetings, surveys etc)
Summarizing information
Feedback to group
(Sharing the information that was collected and soliciting reactions)
Validating/Refining the information and Developing Implications
(Having the group clarify their input and validate that their perspectives are reflected in the data, and then generate a list of implications they see)
Prioritize (The group gives input regarding what they see as the priority to address)
Selecting a focus and a sequence of action
Actionplanning
Implementation
Some of these steps are done as a whole group, others are worked on initially by a smaller group and brought to the larger group for input and decisions.
This Action Research and Feedback approach can be used on small discreet issues or for broader, more comprehensive situations as well.
We want to practice using this approach with a small group, committee or ad hoc team prior to using it with the larger community. This will allow us and those in our "practice" group to become more familiar and experienced with the approach. We are looking for some a volunteer group who has an issue that they are trying to work though, that would like our assistance.
After our practice session, we would like to conduct a "pilot" with the community at large. This would allow all of us to understand and participate in the approach. We will need to select a single discreet issue that affects all community members. One example would be the issues of clarifying the rights and obligations and boundaries around our homes. We will work with community members to identify and select the pilot issue.
Hi WaCoHos,
Here are the meeting notes. I did the best I could to accurately summarize the comments. My apologies to anyone who feels I may have left out something important or summarized with an incorrect emphasis.
1. Vicky a couple from co-housing in Tucson is looking to stay in the Common House, they need a sponsor. July 9-10th are the dates when a host is needed. We need a volunteer!
2. Sandra the donated greenhouse needs to be picked up, a vehicle and person-power is needed.
3. Grace Grace would like a TV in the kids play room; she would be open to moving the TV from the sitting room into the kids' room.
4. Azusong leaving on the 29th of June. Needs odd jobs and would like to earn money.
Management . Regular meetings occur 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. Linda Reed is organizing the paperwork from the founding and building of Wasatch Commons. Linda will be looking for a storage place for the historical documents. Cardboard file drawers are on the Common House back porch, free and available to anyone who wants them.
Naomi Sewer drains have been cleaned. Jonathan cleaned out glass recycle shed. Landscaping is going well. Path cut along north edge of WaCoHo.
Garden Club - Meeting minutes distributed. Wood chips are being spread. Garden looking good.
Welcoming/Orientation: - Mike and Marci have been oriented. The phone list is being updated. Welcoming has a big job with lots of work coming up, with home changes coming.
Community Clean-up the week of 28June is the community clean-up. We can start putting stuff out as soon as the 18th of June. We put stuff in two piles: yard waste and stuff that can be recycled/reused.
Kevin Dwyer - Fence at Neighbor to the North Fence broken, will be fixed later this summer.
Celebrations no update
Parents no update
Landscaping several people have been cleaning up the field Hans bought as a "welcome" to his new tenant.
Appreciative Inquiry Exercise Identify transitional issues and possibilities:
1. How to renters become owners?
The CROWN program
Rental contract with incentive to buy. A small portion of the rent would be rebated as a deposit.
Our Community Connection and other local networking is a great way to get the word out about Wasatch Commons.
We have "shadow" residents, people who live here but are not on the books.
People's Market, online presence
2. How do communities create successful transitions for people?
Community with 2 types of people, students and "other people". A meal was held for an interview and as a "welcome" ritual.
At another co-housing community, Hildur visited, a huge crowd of people were awaiting their arrival, holding a welcome banner; a meal followed. This was very heart-warming. The large welcome group made a difference.
This community does not have much structure; work parties are few, few committees are active, regular meals don't happen. Should we re-open this conversation?
3. What works and doesn't work about WaCoHo?
People are and have been helpful in terms of sharing information.
Knowing about community events and volunteering opportunities, especially with a personal invitation.
It takes making a commitment to the community, making the community a priority.
Suggestion: List of whom to call in X situation. Or add this information to the phone list.
Dining Club re-starting this was discussed.
Three suggestions were made with economic emphasis:
o Charge home-owners (money) if they leave
o Charge WaCoHo members a higher HOA fee if they do not participate in work parties and committees.
o Raise HOA fees and then have free dining.
One member objected that charging home-owners for leaving was punitive and would discourage potential future home buyers, and that raising HOA fees (to cover dining) and then have dining be free would cause an undue hardship on low income members.
Fencing #9
This agenda item was not discussed, as Rebecca Fattah and Natalia did not make an appearance at the ACM meeting.
Decisions Made:
1. Many people would like to see the Dining Club start up again. Nancy Monro volunteered to lead the effort.
Follow-up Steps:
* Nancy Monro will organize Dining Club event with the help of other volunteers.
* The phone list will be updated by Maxine with info supplied by each person.
Thanks.
Peace and Love,
Lydia
From: WaCoHo on behalf of Sandra McIntyre\Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 10:18 AM
To: Kay Argyle
Subject: Re: [WaCoHo] ACM Meeting Notes..
Although we had all talked about a Dining Club in the ACM, after the meeting it was clearer that the momentum on the dining idea was to just move forward with a dinner or two. No one seemed to want to meet about it -- just do it! Linda R quickly pulled together a plan for the first one and will shop and cook. Thanks, Linda! Linda P and Hob (and others I'm probably forgetting right now) will help. I was planning to help also, but the date ended up having to be one where I'm out of town. We're off and running!
Sandra
On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 10:16 PM, Lydia Olchoff wrote:
It's been pointed out that there is an error in the ACM Meeting Notes.
Nancy Monro talked about organizing the Dining Club, but in the end changed her mind. I'm sorry about the error.
However, I did notice a note on the white board in the mailroom that there will be a dinner on the evening of 28 June. Is that right?
Thanks.
peace and love,
Lydia
ACM Minutes sent at 9:00 pm--how's that! If we had wireless in the CH it would have been 8:58.
Next Meeting Sunday April 11th topic Earth Day and how to keep the 40 students busy!
Carol is available for tasks around the community that need to be done to save the community money before hiring out she might be able to do it.
Internet Survey is going around Online and a hardcopy is available here at meeting and will be on whiteboard.
Azusong is available to do odd jobs. He is trying to raise money for college. He leaves to go home to Ghana June 30th. Call the Wasons if you are interested in paying him a little something for helping with items around your place: gardening or cleaning or anything.
Hans: you can send print jobs to Han's house. He now has the Jobs With Justice printer. The Service charge is $.15 color b/w is $.04 perside. E-mail or call Hans, he will turn it on, and it can be printed in his home and come and get it!
Roofing: Kevin got 5 bids. Trouble spots melt freeze areas & drainage problems. Bids have come in $60,000-$160,000 for roofing. Also, he checked into replacing Fascia with metal material with baked on something, so we don't have to do so much painting (this is the purple trim.) We can get it in Plum color . Bids not in yet.
Naomi asked about putting solar panels on in is interested in this happening.
Linda Reed reported on Crown. Maxinne Hanks has moved in to Unit #15. She also tried to clarify that proper process was followed with CROWN and the other applicants were notified
Mike added that their place is ready to rent. Fliers not ready yet.
Kevin will get 3 lawnmowers fixed.
Those not at the meeting are encouraged to take on areas that need it.
There was a general interest in doing some of the spring work in groups.
April 17th and 18th the college students will be camping here (40) and can help with a project.
Kevin and Nancy are on Process and will put out a special meeting to help organize the retreat. Nancy worries that people don't come to process and help because of her. Nancy would like people to think about the community first.
Mike P started by saying their place is available and on the market. Renting is most likely. 4-bedroom place. $1200/month + utilities. Participation is part of the lease and get oriented to the community.
Laraine, Bea, and Joanne offered to help with orientations and many other ideas were offered to help with recruiting new folks.
Ended meeting at 8:58.
Heather
ACM: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Annual Business Meeting 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Agenda 7:00 ? 7:05
Introductions 7:05 ? 7:20
Process* (discussion item to be addressed in later portion of meeting) ?
Management* ?
Landscape ?
Work Support ?
Ad-hoc Weeding ?
Parents 7:20 ? 7:25
Process Decision: Retreat February/March? 7:25 ? 7:55
Management Elections ?
Elect two owners (Hans and Kay finished two-year terms) ?
Select renters? rep
7:55 ? 8:45
Discussion: Budget Proposal ?
Goal: Approve 2010 Budget 8:45 ? 9:00
April 25, 2020