People and The Process

Focus and Team Group Structure 20-03-2006

This document covers all groups within Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood wherein members participate in task, process and decision making.

Full Group Meeting

Is open to all observers, associate & full members

Held fortnightly, alternating between Thursday evening and Saturday morning

Thursday evening meeting is preceeded with our usual meal.

Main business & decision making vehicle

May include simple ritual & community building

Maintains, nutures & protects vision

Facilitator, minute taker & timekeeper

Uses coloured cards for discussion & consensus decision making

Full day weekend meetings or Hui are arranged on specific topics from time to time

Childcare is arranged full group meetings and Hui

Construction Team

Comprises Development & Financial Co-ordinators and at least two others.

Holds project overview

Liaises with and gives direction to focus groups

Is responsible for:

  • driving the development of the project
  • day to day management of the development
  • development funding
  • liasing with all outside professionals & organisations
  • overseeing budget and timeline
  • Meets once a fortnight

Design Task Group

Comprises group members & Development Co-ordinator who liaises with Architect

Analyses and discusses ongoing development and working drawings

Has Full Group mandate to pass clear direction to architect provided there is quorum of 5

Makes recommendation to the Full Group

Meets fortnightly as full focus Group

  • detailed design input into kitchens, bathrooms and fittings
  • research and recommendations re sustainable materials

Permaculture Focus Group

Comprises group members, who plan and oversea all permacualture activities.

Also responsible for all permaculture working bees

Meets fortnightly

Finance Task Group

Comprises group members, and Financial Co-ordinator

Oversees all financial contract reviews

Manages tax responsibilities and member accounts

Maintains pre-construction bookkeeping

Oversees petty cash, development funding & cashflow

Creates & maintains budget

Meets as necessary

Legal Task Group

Comprises group members & Legal Co-ordinator

Draws up sale & purchase agreements

Preparing for titling of units

Created & maintains cohousing agreement

Responsible for CNZL Ltd structure & operation

Creating & maintaining body corporate

Close relationship with Finance task Group and Financial Co-ordinator

Is available to assist members with legal enquiries

Meets as necessary

Promotions Team

Comprises group members & Marketing and Membership Co-ordinator

Builds public awareness & attracts new members

Promotes through markets, stalls & events

Promotes through media articles & advertising

Creates and maintains visuals, website, and brochures

Media spokesperson

Meets fortnightly

Management Team

Comprises group members, including buddy co-ordinator,and link to Construction Team

Holds the oversight and management of the Earthsong people, groups and processes.

Management of the interface between the construction and residents.

Ensures issues that don't fall into obvious mandate of any focus group or Team are delegated.

Reports to the Full Group via proposals and minutes - meets fortnightly

Common House Management Group

Comprised of group members. Oversees all areas of the Common House/Earthsong Centre.

Kitchenettes

Comprised of group members. Oversees all areas to do with the Common House cooking teams and special occasions.

NB:

  1. Ideally each Focus Group/Team comprises 5-7 members.
  2. These numbers may need to be flexible at different stages of the project