Community Cornerstones
We believe that connections and trust form the cornerstones of a vibrant community. We have chosen to live in an intentional community because we value connection with others. We see ourselves as an experiment in social change, with the potential to change the world for the better. For this experiment to succeed, we need commitment and participation. Our participation and our roles change as our lives change, and we choose to believe that we’re all doing the best we can.
This framework reflects our experiences and aspirations for our community. We hold the following aspirations loosely, flexibly, knowing that these aspirations are sometimes in tension with each other. Given this strong foundation of connection and trust, we work creatively to build a vibrant community.
We aspire to:
- Treat each other with respect, kindness and compassion
- Trust our neighbors and assume good intent, just as we wish to be trusted that our own intentions are good
- Create a culture where we feel emotionally and physically safe to express ourselves
- Communicate clearly and openly, while being mindful of others’ privacy, feelings and needs
- Create opportunities for people to connect and participate in meaningful ways, recognizing that the nature of people’s participation will change over time as their lives change
- Do our individual part to care for the community’s property, financial security and social well-being
- Limit our impact on the environment, without sacrificing beauty or efficiency
- Discern wisely between the common good and individual interests
- Support one another in times of need through mutual care
- Stay engaged through the joys and tensions of community life
- Support each other’s efforts in civic engagement
Living in cohousing can be challenging. Our inherent diversity can create disagreements and can be hard to weave into a cohesive cloth, but also can produce a stronger fabric. We hope these cornerstones provide a useful foundation upon which to achieve our goal of building an enduring and robust community.