Looking for a facilitator experienced in collective living to possibly support our house

[Kate Werning]

Hi all,

As we approach the culmination of the first year of our 7-person collective house in Ditmas Park Brooklyn, I am aware that it may come to pass that a housemate or two will change over at lease-renewal-time. I'm not sure yet, but wanted to put some feelers out there for some support in case it does happen. Totally just surveying the field right now -- not sure yet whether this need will actually arise, or if the others will agree this is best course of action. But wanted to see if a support like this is even possible.

As the founder of the house and a community organizer for my day job, I am the go-to facilitator for the bigger things in the house... yet when we have had to make big decisions I find myself feeling caught between trying to hold a healthy, neutral facilitator role and also really get to express what I want and need from my perspective as a housemate. I have some implicit power in the house which comes with both the benefit of influence and the possibility of triggering people who disagree with me and/or orient toward challenging/suspecting power. I'm thinking the possible unprecedented process of selecting a new housemate as a collective will be one of the higher-stakes emotional and logistical decisions we ever deal with. I would love to ask for help, for someone experienced in collective living decision making to come and support us by facilitating this one- or two-time meeting, help us design and hold a process, etc.

Anyone experienced in these kinds of transitions that'd be willing to lend some support and expertise? Or just tell me a story about how you held the process well in your community? We don't have a budget to pay you but would definitely want to talk with you about how we can show some reciprocity and appreciation for your time.

Let me know if you have any ideas!

- Kate in Brooklyn

kate.w...@gmail.com