From EcoReality

Strengths and Improvements about Meetings

For the purpose of designing our Consensus Workshop with Tree Bressen on Sep 27, 2008, Tree has requested some comments from EcoREality about our perceived strengths and weaknesses (Areas for improvement) in our gatherings/workparties/meetings/group function.

Please add your ideas!

Strengths

• Commitment to positive and clear use of language Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Equitable sharing of tasks in meetings, workparties Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Trust with personal items and clear instructions on their use to avoid resentment or misunderstandings Shan`
• Equitable and respectful treatment of individuals (ie All questions are good questions) etc. Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Equitable time given to all speakers (ie. no pulling of rank)Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Member commitment to monthly meetings/gatherings is highShan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Willingness on behalf of members to travel away from home for meetings (and for resident members to host a house full of people each month) James Cowan 07:41, 24 August 2008 (PDT)
• Diligence in record keeping and facilitation skills development among the membersShan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Open-ness to guests and participation of Advisory Council members and 'Potential'-members Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Commitment to clarity, written agreementsShan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Flexibility of members to take on several 'hats' and share roles and tasks and projectsShan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Overall good will, excitement and expression of satisfaction and willingnessShan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Expressions of appreciation and acknowledgement (note this also an area for improvement, I think)Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Concept of stewards so areas can be delegated and run independently of the group, with the group's input.
• Use of technology (e.g. wiki web site) to provide bountiful info (also results in room for improvement) --Mark 19:56, 2 Sept
• Many shared ideals and goals amongst all members and most visitors, a common thread to hold us all together. --Osha
• A willingness to learn and grow is shared by members. --Osha

Improvements

• Lack of training when facilitation/recording roles are rotated leads to inconsistencies. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Lack of common training in communication skills. Some members are well versed in NVC or Landmark Communication or other methods of communication and conflict resolution but there is no common language or skill set between all members. James Cowan 07:41, 24 August 2008 (PDT)
• Under use of brainstorming and over-reliance on business meetings and heart circles. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Childcare can be an issue, we are working at this point for clear childcare - steward is James, costs shared by parents Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Lack of wiki know-how (working to offer trainings to new members and potentials) or preparedness for meeting (ie not all have read minutes or agenda or proposals) Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)

  I'd call this a priority problem. I have several times offered wiki training, but it always fell below the priority of everything else, and thus fell off the end of the list. I'd also say that "wiki know-how" and "preparedness for meetings" are separate issues, as the second is not dependent on the first. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)

• Lack of meaningful priorities -- everything seems to be "must do now" things! Recommend we look at OAEC's matrix system, or any other system of prioritizing. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Planners vs. Doers - EcoReality cofounders have noted some differences in style in terms of degree and type of planning for group activities and projects, especially Farm Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Overly ambitious plans that cause others who are already over-burdened to take on new tasks. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Under usage of teleconferences. The members meetings can be long and intense due to a huge agenda. Some items could be deferred to teleconferences. Another improvement to be made here is attendance for teleconferences. It has been tough to get everyone to commit to a time and then remember to call in when the time comes.
• Over-reliance on technology may not suit the notion of meeting visitors or potential members "where they're at" when it comes to using the web. The thought of incorporating other means of communication, while not overwhelming any one member/steward, seems worth a review. --Mark 20:02, 2 Sept
• Lack of cushion time during meeting weekends between meetings and work parties for participants to relax/unwind/refresh. --Osha
• Lack of commitment amongst some members to adhere to agreed upon communication methods such as non-violent communication. --Osha

These items do not seem to have anything to do with meetings, so I've moved them to their own section.

• Member screening process is incomplete, specifically interview has 'bugs' to work out Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Membership Application process not being clearly understood by potential applicants, maybe needs a Steward? Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Perceived work imbalances - especially between resident and non-resident members Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Financial issues - some lack of clarity around potential for non-members to invest in EcoReality and how Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)

  Lack of clarity? Or lack of understanding? This has been explained several times (most recently, 2 August), so I agree that the resistance some have to understanding the issues involved is an important thing to seek advice with. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)

• Cleanliness and Order issues - appears to be some tension and resentment around use of personal kitchen items or different ways in which individuals follow agreements in personal kitchens Shan 16:29, 10 August 2008 (PDT)
• Assumptions about sharing, rather than asking or waiting for it to be offered. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Lack of trust with personal items and clear instructions on their use to avoid resentment or misunderstandings, although this is improving. --Jan Steinman 11:13, 12 August 2008 (PDT)
• Difference in hours worked on co-op business between members. There is a fledgling system in place but at this time there is no way for all members to see what all the other members are doing. There have been off site members who have expressed that they're not sure what they can do remotely to work off hours. James Cowan 07:41, 24 August 2008 (PDT)
• Unresolved conflict. I believe this is due to not having honed skills acquired by each member (yet). James Cowan 07:41, 24 August 2008 (PDT)
• The current lack of a truly Common meeting & lodging space both detracts from non-resident members' ability to be self-sustaining while on-site and contributes at least somewhat to imbalances/tensions mentioned within this list. --Mark 20:29, 2 Sept