GET IT ALL

A Caucus might be useful to help a multifaceted conflict become clearer by unifying similar perspectives or defining specific points of departure without the focus of the whole group. It might be that only some people attend a Caucus, or  it might be that all are expected to participate in a Caucus. The difference between Caucuses and Small Groups is that Caucuses are composed of people with similar viewpoints, whereas Small Group Discussions are more useful if they are made up of people with diverse viewpoints or even a random selection of people.

Think about your tolerance for drinking and drugs. If you are a non-drinker, moving into a home of heavy drinkers is not going to be a happy arrangement. If you like to use recreational drugs, you shouldn't move into a home that says "no drugs."

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

1. Observe & Interact
2. Catch & Store ENERGY
3. Obtain a Yield
4. Apply Self Regulation & Accept Feedback
5. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services
6. Produce No Waste (the problem is the solution)
7. Design from Pattern to Detail
8. Integrate Rather than Segregate
9. Use Slow & Small Solutions
10. Use & Value Diversity
11. Use Edges & Value the Marginal
12. Creatively Use & Respond to Change

This is a simple technique that encourages participation. The Facilitator states a question and then goes around the room inviting everyone to answer briefly. This is not an open discussion. This is an opportunity to individually respond to specific questions, not to comment on each other's responses or make unrelated remarks.

After a long discussion, it sometimes happens that the proposal becomes modified without any formal decision. The Facilitator needs to recognize this and take time to reformulate the proposal with the new information, modifications, or deletions. Then the proposal is presented to the group so that everyone can be clear about what is being considered. Again, this might be done by the Facilitator, the Note-taker, or anyone else.

If the Facilitator wants to become involved in the discussion or has strong feelings about a particular agenda item, the Facilitator can step out of the role and participate in the discussion, allowing another member to Facilitate during that time.

Sometimes information needs to be collected during the meeting. To save time, circulate a clipboard to collect this information. Once collected it can be entered into the written record and/or presented to the group by the Facilitator.

If the group is having a hard time understanding a point of view, someone might help by active listening. Listen to the speaker, then repeat back what was heard and ask the speaker if this accurately reflects what was meant.

For pet owners, this is often seen as the first requirement. If you have a pet, you need to live where that animal is welcome. It won't do to convince someone to take on your pet as a Home-mate. The first time the pet misbehaves-which will usually be in your absence-your Home-mate(s) will be reminded that they grudgingly agreed to have the pet in the house. The second and third times, there will be tension, and soon you and your pet will need to find another place to live. Live where you and your pet are welcome and eliminate these problems altogether!

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Is public transportation essential to you? Or useful? If so, how far are you willing to walk to the bus or train? Is this the same distance you are willing to walk even in bad inclement weather? How often does the bus or train need to run for your needs? Are weekdays only, okay? Or do you want access on weekends late at night?

Sources: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates

Contributors:  Annamarie Pluhar

Recommended Books: Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates