Hi Everyone,

Thank you to those who replied.  Attached are all the responses I received for the worksheet and committee sign ups.  I am publishing on behalf of the group:

1) responses from the worksheet, 2) a list of committees and members, and 3) membership status.

WORKSHEET :Please read the attached document.

COMMITTEE SIGN UPS:  Please note that there are two new committees that were suggested and added at the bottom of the chart in case anyone is interested. One is planning social events for the group and the other is running fundraising events.  No one volunteered to lead a committee so please work it out among yourselves…someone please take the first step and arrange for a meeting.

Up for discussion: should the Working Weekend Committee be “all hands”?  It’s a large, pivotal event for our group and it would make sense for everyone to be involved in the planning and preparation in addition to atttending.  We can split up into sub-committees just like the holiday bazaar so that there is something for everyone (content, activity, format, logistics, meals, supplies, childcare, etc).  Yes, No?

In general, the survey indicated that most new tools were helpful and should be used at the next meeting.  Having a large open space where everyone can see each other was also very helpful to the meeting productivity and atmosphere.  I will publish suggestions once I receive more from you…basically looking for whether you think we should continue with same format for our next meeting.  Yes/No?

MEMBERSHIP

Lois has decided to withdraw from the group. Please see her attached letter.

Two members requested to be “inactive” members.  Zak and Maria asked to be kept in the loop for milestones and meeting dates.  However, given work schedules they are unable to contribute actively at the present time.  Therefore, we are removing them from daily correspondences and will add only when there are key dates/events.  I assume that means inactive members will assume the role of visiting members vs. the core team (us) that is involved in the building stage, correct?  At our meeting, there was a question on how to categorize membership and this might be a good time to clarify that given the categories that are now appearing naturally.

Joelle requested more time to reply since she caught the flu (not from me!).  Feel better soon, Joelle.

Renate will take some time to make a decision.

I have not heard from the following members. Therefore, I will assume they are also either “inactive” or “withdrawn” members.   Does anyone want to reach out to them to check their status? Jennifer and Joe. I believe I made my views clear on commitment at our last meeting…if folks are unable to commit at this point, they should withdraw from the group until they are ready.  This is the only way I know how we can move forward as a group.  Therefore, I propose that any member not making contributions at this point should be invited back at a later date when they can.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

I will invite Jennifer, Judd and Marla to our next two General Meetings (and working weekend when we have a date).

GENERAL MEETINGS

Based on replies, we are set as follows: Feb 16th, March 9th ,April 6, May 4, June 1, July 13 (due to holiday), August 3, Sept 14th (due to holiday), Oct 5th, Nov 2nd, and Dec. 7th.   Meetings run from 2-5pm with optional potluck dinner to follow.  We need to determine location.

WORKING WEEKEND

As for the Working Weekend, Barbara and Tiff are not available.  I will send out a separate email soliciting availability for April.

Judy

Ideas for Raising Seed Money

• Ask each member for a financial contribution to show commitment –      $500/adult.  Refundable on a deferred basis.  After month 3, non-refundable.
• $5 per person contribution at every General Meeting whether you attend or not.
• Online auctions
• Each family contributes a set donation to get the ball rolling/cover funds necessary to have another fund raising event.  Once we reach a predetermined amount of money from fund raising, that initial investment can be refunded.  I think the initial money raised should go to a professional grant writer.
• To show their commitment, each member should make a substantial financial      contribution, just like a time and energy contribution.  All three are needed to continue.  We will have to hire professionals      shortly.  The contribution is not      refundable after a certain time (we would have spent it already on moving      this project forward!).
• Dare I suggest another SALE?
• Everyone should contribute money from the onset.  $500/individual and $800/family as an incentive to motivate both spouses to participate.  This is assuming that the money will go to training our members and for activities that generally benefit the adult members (vs. children).
• #1   Idea for getting seed money would be to write up the concept of our ecovillage and get sponsors/ grants for the vision. A model or blueprint of a new way of joining support systems to benefit the families of the future
• Membership fee – I liked Tiff’s idea about a $5/mo (minimal – maybe $10?) For those who can’t afford fee perhaps they could offer some kind of exchange or service.

Ideas for New Member Process.

I think we should have new people come each meeting – even just like we did today. It means a more complicated agenda formatting, to be meaningful for guests. I don’t think we should worry too much about opening the kimono with people, although there may be a few discussions which should be reserved for current members.

• Invite them to be a part of the discussion for as long as they’re interested, up to point where they can make the decision if they want to buy in.
• Invite them at the end of our business meetings.
• I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A WEEKEND AND REALLY TRY TO SKETCH OUT OUR NEXT STEPS BEFORE WE INVITE OTHERS….PERHAPS AFTER THE WEEKEND…..THEN PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE OR INFORMAL TEA TO MEET OTHERS.
• If someone in the group does not know them personally, they should write a      paragraph about what interests them about the group and some personal      background.  Then, they can be invited to the end part of a meeting as they are this month to interact and socialize.
• I think our last format worked well for both current and visiting members.  I would wait to invite more until after our working weekend unless there is a super talented and motivated individual who is ready to make immediate contributions.
• For short term, be selective on who we invite. They must share values and have skills that complement our group’s needs. They can follow the same format as last time.  For longer term, we should have quarterly open houses for broader recruitment and just to build awareness of our efforts.
• While we’re in general meetings visitors can come and be hosted (possibly by our      teens or a committee members not involved with meeting) to see a display      of videos or documentaries that show what we’re about/ active eco villages, some people can’t wrap their heads around the concept at all and need and introduction. Also sharing photos or logs we have through the making of the group, we could make our own Eco Village journal jotting down and pasting love, art share and the kids store! (maybe even the big kids could make stuff to sell) Then after meeting everyone joins for social time. We all seemed more comfortable when the first time visitors were free from the spotlight and questioned right away. But then again, that’s how you get to know someone quick! 😉
• I think the way we handled the visitors this last time was perfect. We had our business meeting first and then got to know the visitors at the remaining part of the meeting and afterwards while eating. Since we still had things on our agenda to discuss while they were present they got to see us in action a little and we got a feel for them as they responded.
       Commitment Level
• Victoria: We need to understand the financial commitment at various stages, and      timing-wise, before we are 100% in. We do plan to move from our current house in the near/mid term, and it would be great to move into the community from here – so it’s possible that we will commit. I don’t know enough about what it will take to make this a reality. Once it is clearer, will be easier to commit, or not (more likely yes, though).
• Jonathan:      Partial — not sure we’re ready to move to the area that the group is most interested in; not sure of the economic commitment required, and whether we can obtain a paying role within the project (e.g., as part of the developer team).
• Lois: I FEEL COMMITTED TO CONTINUE EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES…WILL ATTEND ALL MEETING S AND WORK ON COMMITTEES TO HELP THIS PROJECT TAKE FORM. I HOPE THAT FINANCIALLY IT WILL WORK FOR ME… ALSO NEED TO SEE HOW THIS IS GOING….IF WE ALL HAVE A SHARED VISIION…SUCH AS ORGANIC LIFESTYLE…WILLINGNESS TO LEARN COMMUNICATION SKILLS, ETC.
• Ute:I am fully committed.
• Janine: I would say I am 70-80% committed to this venture at this time.  What keeps me from being 100% committed (and continuing to look at real estate listings) is my other commitment to getting my family out of Bristol and into a safer community and onto land we can homestead sooner than later. The amount of time this venture may take scares me sometimes and I  find myself fighting inpatients.
• Judy:  I am 100% committed to building an ecovillage. I am 75% committed to this group and reserve the remaining % for when I see further contributions from others.  The lack of commitment from others keeps me from running full steam ahead.
• Ray:      a 7/10 on commitment level.
• Vanessa – requested more time to reply.
• Laurie – committed to continuing.
• Renate  – requested more time to reply.
• Joelle      – requested more time to reply

Immediate Contributions

• Victoria: the planning weekend with others
• Jonathan: At the present time, I am able to commit to      _time__, ___interest___, __ideas__.
• Lois: AT THE MOMENT I CAN CONTRIBUTE BY ATTENDING ALL MEETINGS AND TAKING PART IN MOVING FORWARD
• Ute:      Visioning, Organizing, and Creating Agendas
• Janine: running and maintaining the yahoo group (group communication), helping to create a mission statement, purpose, and objectives for the group, helping to create and helping with aspects of fund raising efforts, creating and maintaining on-line/digital documents
• Judy: Project Management
• Ray: I will contribute time and money.
• Vanessa – requested more time to reply.
• Laurie – Coming to all the meetings, act on committees and be available to the best of my ability to respond to things as needed
• Renate – requested more time to reply.
• Joelle – requested more time to reply.

Future Contributions

• Victoria :In the future, I see myself as doing recruitment – some outreach, but also, working with people to help them come to a commitment based on mutual fit.
• JonathanIn the future, I see myself as _helping to design      and realize _ the eco-village.
• Lois: IN THE FUTURE, I SEE MYSELF AS A GARDENER, IN HOUSE HOMEOPATH, PROVIDER OF HEALTHY MEALS….I HAVE BEEN LIVING AN ORGANIC LIFESTYLE SINCE THE EARLY 70’S….HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE ON SUSTAINABLE LIVING TO SHARE…
• Ute:      Designer, workshop facilitator, bridge between people.
• Janine: a provider of healing services, educator, and social butterfly in the eco-village.  I would continue my services with computer needs (yahoo group…).
• Judy: Manage the Healing Arts Center.  Promote the uniqueness of our Village.       Create conferences and other learning opportunities for us and the greater (worldwide) community.
• Ray: Assist with finances and technology support.
• Vanessa – requested more time to reply.
• Laurie – Creating a healing arts center for Eco Village members and people from the outside.  I would also take great pleasure in cooking, gardening, community      projects, etc.
• Renate  – requested more time to reply.
• Joelle – requested more time to reply