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HOW WE ENRICH OUR LIVES LIVING TOGETHER

SOcial Activites

Common meals are the heart of our community. Twice a week we share dinners prepared by community members. By regularly cooking and dining together, we build bonds through conversation and the sharing of our work and our lives. It’s a significant part of why we’re doing cohousing. While attendance is optional, all of us benefit when we participate.

We share many other fun activities such as movie and game nights, TGIF gatherings, on-site concerts, and more. Sometimes we gather around the fire pit on our roof deck. Activities throughout the year include holiday celebrations and decorating, “No-Talent” Shows, guest speakers, etc. See FAQs for more information on meals and other aspects of living at MVCC.

WORKING TOGETHER

The work of our community is done by our Teams. Every member of the community is expected to serve on at least one Team at a level realistic and reasonable for their interests and abilities.

The Teams are

  • Come Together (social activities)
  • Community Culture and Processes (how we live together)
  • Interiors (oversight of interior common spaces and meals)
  • Information Technology
  • Legal & Finance
  • Landscaping
  • Marketing & Membership
  • Safety & Maintenance

GOVERNING OURSELVES

MVCC is self-governed—decisions are made by us, not for us. The work, as well as the fun, is our responsibility. Every household is a member of the Board of Directors of our Homeowners Association. Working together in community-wide monthly meetings builds a strong community, and enables inclusive decisions made by consensus. We don’t vote; we discuss a topic until issues are understood by all and concerns have been resolved. We have found that this method of decision making is the most inclusive and results in better decisions. Consensus has been successfully used by MVCC for every community decision since its inception.

Core Values We AsPire to

  • Join meals and social events.
  • Collaborate in the responsibility for governance and maintenance of the community. 
  • Attend our monthly community meetings and serve on at least one team.
  • Listen to understand, speak with candor and honesty, maintain open minds, consider the interests and feelings of others. Practice thoughtfulness, patience, and willingness to compromise in community decision-making.
  • Maintain positive relationships in spite of differences of opinion and communication style; trust that others’ intentions are good.
  • Consider the needs of the community, and accept decisions that we may not have foreseen or advocated.  Sometimes “I can live with it” is the best outcome.
  • Optimize our ability to age well in community through a culture of supportive relationships while being responsible for our own personal and health care needs.
  • Recognize and honor the unique ways in which members think and contribute.
  • Value our differences in age, background, religion, politics, sexual orientation, skills, interests, physical ability, economic circumstance, ethnicity, etc.
  • Open ourselves to the process of personal growth.