A Policy Created

by the Community for the Community

GSP Presents: ELC Work Participation Policy

A long history

o Several prior attempts made at a Work Policy

Lots of effort, time & energy

Community invited an expert

Laird Schaub

Nationally recognized Community Facilitator Trainer Came first to ELC in Sept. 2008

Untangle = Identify all strands

Talk about each one

Reach consensus on each one

Solving complex problems

1

2

3

The community discussed this

And decided to follow this strategy

4 community members were trained by Laird

The community paid in part for the training

The trainees paid for the remainder of their training.

The community invested in training

The community discussed the key issues we needed to address

Everyone was invited to provide input

The community identified 10 strands: Here are the first 5 strands/questions

Here are the next 5 strands/questions

First… We identified all tasks needed at ELC

356 tasks

Next, we moved to working through the rest of the strands

Facilitated by GSP at GBM

oOne (1) strand at a time

oThe community discussed each strand

oThe community reached agreement on each strand

Strand 1: Should everyone contribute?

o Yes

o 6 hours (including meeting attendance)

o Can bank hours or pay (within limits)

oOnly adults part of accounting system, but kids are encouraged to participate

GBM: April 2010, May 2010

Strand 2: What is the purpose of work?

o Care for & maintain our built & natural environments

o Ensure fiscal health of the ELC HOA

o Foster healthy community interaction

GBM: July 2009

Strand 3: What counts as work?

(& should some count more than others?) (1)

GBM: March 2009, June 2010 o 356 identified tasks o Committees will prioritize tasks/jobs based on:

o Consistencies or inconsistencies with ELC values o Urgencies and immediacy of needs o Health, safety, and legal Issues o Enhancing quality of life and securing long-term viability of ELC o Responsible resource management o Promotion of social interaction and effective communication

Strand 3: What counts as work?

(& should some count more than others?) (2)

GBM: March 2009, June 2010

There are two steps to evaluating or advocating for specific task o Committee discusses

• What are the negative consequences & impact if work doesn’t get done? • What are the positive consequences & impact if work is done

o Community discusses • How strong is the universality of ELC members’ feeling that the work is important

and adds value to the community?

Strand 4: Do we want to measure work (accounting system)?

If so, how? (1)

GBM: August 2009, October 2010

Specialized skills

o The basic unit for measuring work = credit o Credit = 1 hour of work o Some tasks may be weighted higher

(e.g., requires specialized skills or for work that is undone )

o Dollar values may be assigned to tasks (to facilitate out-sourcing, in-sourcing or contributions of “time and money”).

Strand 4: Do we want to measure work (accounting system) ?

If so, how? (2)

GBM: August 2009, October 2010

o Tasks will be prioritized according to community goals by ELC committees .

o Participation Committee is identifying accounting systems (how people report their work).

o Accounting mechanisms will be piloted in 2 committees in 2011.

Strand 5: How do we want to handle tensions?

GBM: January 2010 (Laird), August 2010

oOther tensions around work participation will be handled in the same way as any other tensions in the community.

oA Committee/Task Force is underway to create a space to address conflict in the community.

Strand 6: A. How do we organize our work?

B. What do we do when necessary work is not done (Accountability)?

GBM :Jan 2010 (Laird), April 2010, May 2010

A. The Participation Committee will help organize our work

B. Different types of accountability methods have been discussed such as linking community work with HOA payments. An Accountability Task Force will explore & propose plans to community

Strand 7: How do we accommodate diverse

circumstances and abilities?

o Circumstances may cause member to be unable to work in community for a period of time. E.g.,

o disabling illness

o new baby

o bereavement

oApply for exemption for 3 months

o Check if there’s other work you can do.

GBM :July 2010

Strand 8: Should there be different expectations for

different categories of residents?

Work Participation policy applies to all who live at ELC.

GBM : Sept 2010

Strand 9: What culture do we want to create around

Work Participation? (1)

oOur culture of work will be based in our members' love and concern for the community &

oWill serve as a model of cooperation & interdependence for our children & for others outside the community.

GBM : January 2010 (Laird), October 2010

Strand 9: What culture do we want to create around

Work Participation? (2)

The Participation Committee will guide and inspire us through this process.

GBM : January 2010 (Laird), October 2010

Strand 10: What work needs to be done at ELC?

o 356 identified tasks

o Tasks will be evaluated annually by committees as a part of the ‘hours budgeted’ process

oBudgeting of hours will be piloted in 2011

GBM : March 2009

So let’s review what we’ve done

1. Asked for expert advice on a process that has been used in other communities

2. Followed the recommended process

a. Identified the 10 strands

b. Worked through each of the 10 strands

Proud of ELC

Sept 2008…………….…. January 2011 (2.5 years!)

How long did we work on this?

Look how much agreement was reached!

We have agreement in principle on each of the strands

o Strand 1

o Strand 2

o Strand 3

o Strand 4

o Strand 5

o Strand 6

o Strand 7

o Strand 8

o Strand 9

o Strand 10

So what’s left to do? Develop and test out 4 Mechanisms (2011)

1. Accounting System: PC is developing it.

2. Accountability Mechanism: Accountability Task Force will develop & bring to community discussion

3. Budgeting Hours: PC will provide instructions to committees on how to budget hours for work of their committees.

4. Exemption: GSP to identify where to apply for exemption

All this information and more is available on ELC website

1. This Power Point

2. Summary of 10 strands (details of agreements reached)

3. 356 Tasks

4. Pertinent meeting minutes

What do we want to do today? (1)

What else do we want to do today? (2)

Ask you to consider

consensus

5 questions raised. Outcome described in brackets [ ] 1. We have had agreements in past [correction made to slide] 2. Community spent money to have Laird come and some of us trained. Big

commitment indicating importance; we invested in this [corrections made to slide.]

3. Hours: (a) 4 or 6 agreed upon? Check minutes. [We checked; It is 6.] 4. Exemption Slide: who do we apply to? Originally identified PC but PC feels it

doesn’t belong here. To Be Determined which group will be in charge of this. [Not Policy: Mechanism/ Implementation]

5. What about one-time project not in committee? E.g. Jane’s house; [ PC will define a mechanism that’s understood by all, fluid process. [Not Policy: Mechanism/Implementation]

Clarifications/Questions from Community at the meeting