Steering minutes: 2020-06-27

Minutes:

Update, please.
please:
This FINAL minutes did not reflect the change in SC membership - the CHC on June 27 was represented by Gail, who voted in matters and I did not. I was not in CHC convener role by the time the SC happened. I mentioned this at the beginning of the SC meeting to update the Agenda document and also in my request for Minutes correction To Andrew a week ago. Please update all documents.

**I am no longer CHC convener and I am finding it difficult to get this heard and acknowledged. **

Currently CHC has no convener, and it has two members, Elph and Gail. Gail is representing CHC at SC and Elph does communications to GO via emails as needed, I am not part of CHC.
GO has no means to redirect energetic dissatisfaction of members away from volunteers who are in visible convener roles - and I have no intention keeping excess stress hormones circulating in my blood and causing inflammation in my body - the role is a target, inappropriately, and I am not willing to be the person taking it on.

I might consider re-joining CHC committee when the super stressful COVID times are over, and we have “garden-variety misuse” of the CH only. That came with dissatisfaction but not personal attacks.
We currently have an elevated level of stress and anxiety throughout our society, our community, our bodies and minds.
I am willing to share all I know and all I keep learning about calming our nerves: Accessing parasympathetic dominance (rest and digest mode), grounding and resourcing ourselves to prevent the breakdown of relationships and enhance the likelihood of each of us following GO guidelines closely - those behaviors will do more to prevent COVID spread and maintain community cohesion under stress - and that is something I studied out of personal necessity for almost 40 years. Practices and techniques that will come handy for everyone. I am always available to lead a 3-5 or 60 min practice.

I will continue to be a (guest) attendee at the SC meetings, offer the Zoom tech as usual, and Gail will represent CHC.

I would like to be beyond the question on “who is on first” - I am not the CHC convener and I would like all documents to reflect that. If we need to make it an agenda point for July 11th SC to have it discussed and settled, I will be available for that.

Thank you,
Marta


Cell: 248-202-3102
Sent from my iPad

> On Jul 8, 2020, at 2:57 PM, Andrew Nixon <philosomystic at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> GO Steering Meeting 062720 via Zoom
>
>
>
> Facilitators: Syndallas & Amy
>
> Minutes: Andrew
>
> Invited: Sharon (Chief Scientist), Susan (Membership), Marta (Common
> House), Debbi (Steering Convenor), Mac (Grounds), Amy (Finance and Legal),
> Mary (Buildings), Patti (Process), Eric (Meals), Suzette (Work)
>
>
>
> Present: Syndallas, Amy, Suzette, Catherine, Annie, Becky Grover, Debbi,
> Mary King, Pamela, Olas, Marta, Kelly, Willie, Eric McGlohon, Malcolm,
> Sharon, Elph, Jillian, Gail Turner
>
>
>
>
>
> AGENDA OVERVIEW
>
>
>
> 11:00 Welcome & Agenda Review (Syndallas)
>
> 11:05 Icebreaker (Syndallas)
>
> 11:20 COVID-19 Update and Q&A (Presenter: Sharon, Facilitator: Syndallas)
>
> 11:40 Ad Hod COVID Great Oak Opening Group, GO Administrative Controls
> Proposal – for decision (Presenter: Mary, Facilitator: Amy)
>
> 12:10 Steering Announcements (Presenter: Debbi, Facilitator: Amy)
>
> 12:15 Evaluation & Thanks (Syndallas)
>
> 12:30 Adjourn (Syndallas)
>
>
>
> -----
>
>
>
> WELCOME & AGENDA REVIEW (Syndallas)
>
>
>
> Welcome. To get our attention, please wave hand or speak up.
>
>
>
> Agenda review.
>
>
>
> * Icebreaker: What are you grateful for today?
>
>
>
> Whenever I think about gratitudes, I start with feeling grateful for having
> my partner in my life.
>
> I’m feeling grateful for these times and being in co-housing.
>
>
>
> I’m grateful for the internet that keeps me in touch with family, friends,
> Zen teacher and Zen group, and learning things I otherwise wouldn’t learn.
>
>
>
> I’m feeling grateful for the increase resilience I’m feeling as tensions
> mount socio-politically and we start the “racism” conversation – just
> finding a depth of resilience I didn’t realize I had.
>
>
>
> Grateful for my family, and all the things they do to help me stay sane and
> functional and alive.
>
>
>
> Little things mean a lot; very grateful I can step outside and pick
> vegetables. On the other hand, very worried about my daughter in Texas.
>
>
>
> Grateful that strawberries are in season.
>
>
>
> Grateful for Susan & Joe, family keeping me sane, for GO – couldn’t imagine
> doing this without you.
>
>
>
> There’s been huge progress in our campaign to try to get justice for
> Cornelius — the 16 year old who was killed at the juvenile facility, and
> the governor came out saying we need to get the for profit company out of
> Michigan. There were formal charges brought against three of the staff,
> there’s likely going to be legislation that comes out as a result of this
> so professionally. This has been an incredibly gratifying week.
>
>
>
> Grateful for the influences the community has had on me. Reading WF, it’s
> blowing my mind.
>
>
>
> Grateful for being part of this community.
>
>
>
> Grateful to have window open and be outdoors. Currently my partner’s making
> me an omelet!
>
>
>
> Grateful for kitties after having a 24-hour headache. Also that I was able
> to have a challenging conversation with my mother around politics; baby
> steps being made there.
>
>
>
> Thankful for all the connections with all the people I have and the ways
> people are providing me with the reassurance I need and challenging me to
> stretch and grow.
>
>
>
> Grateful for the A2 Farmers Market this morning; just lovely.
>
>
>
> Grateful for friends who got me out of the house this week.
>
>
>
> Grateful for GO; coffee, cats, and good friends.
>
>
>
> I’m just really grateful right now for my kids. And the rain, because I
> don’t have to watch them today so I’m pretty excited.
>
>
>
>
>
> COVID-19 UPDATE, Q & A (Presenter: Sharon, Faciltator: Syndallas)
>
>
>
> Gratitude is an antidote to fear. Daily gratitudes – research has been done
> on this – helps keep us resilient.
>
>
>
> Juxtaposing science & caretaking: things are not going well. Michigan has
> done an incredible job. Is a popping-up of cases, but nothing monumental.
> If you look at the rest of the country, though, it’s not good. Screen share
> (NYT overview): highest peak since April. Originally, hardest hit was NYC;
> now, southeast. A huge # of states. Numbers going up exponentially — sign
> of a pandemic out of control. Arizona: 3,000 new cases/day.
>
>
>
> Why is this so bad? 2 reasons:
>
>
>
> 1. When a virus spreads in a local community, you contain it (flattening
> the curve through containment — e.g., in Michigan, Washtenaw County). In
> states like Arizona, there’s a problem with governors not willing to do
> stay-at-home order.
>
>
>
> 2. It’s likely to affect our food supply, as much of our food comes from
> western states, which are now being hit hard. Impact is about twice as hard
> as April. Decisions made in one moment (e.g., reopening schools in fall)
> require revising as situation changes.
>
>
>
> Things to do now:
>
>
>
> a. Do everything you can this summer – don’t be afraid now; watch cases,
> don’t go to Texas! – because it’s going to be boiling by fall, perhaps end
> of August.
>
>
>
> b. Have at least a month / 1 ½ month of supplies — this can easily get very
> out of hand.
>
>
>
> c. Find some way to prepare yourself mentally to help you get through tough
> times coming, feel alive. (Physical & emotional component to this
> situation.)
>
>
>
> Questions?
>
>
>
> * At this point, is this scenario inevitable or can it be forestalled given
> political will & inaction?
>
>
>
> In the south, there’s pretty much no way to recoup. Community spread is
> everywhere. Could be slowed down, but cf. Michigan: at its height, a couple
> thousand cases/day, quickly came down; in the south, it’s now several
> thousand/day, still exponentially rising. Don’t think there’s much of a way
> out. Michigan can do something: test/quarantine before people cross into
> state. How? Get state leadership on board. Luckily, Michigan is easy to
> close the border! I’m sounding the bell at the University, too.
>
>
>
> * Even though this news is sobering, we can read between the lines as far
> as what’s happening across the country. We have the information (thanks,
> Sharon!) to be prepared: we can help each other stock supplies, do
> everything we can to raise our spirits now. Lots of gratitude.
>
>
>
> * Some news says that up to 10x as many cases nationwide as reported?
>
>
>
> Yes, it could be 25 million cases of COVID over the next 6 months.
> Sobering: we have a president who’s just letting this happen (“stop
> testing”… makes the numbers go up) — it’s a dereliction of duty that he was
> elected to support the health of the people, and he’s just letting it burn.
> Stay safe: don’t go to an event without social distancing, PPE. Best
> practices in businesses, yet outbreaks still occur — find little slips in
> protocol (like commuting in same vehicle, going for a smoke together; it’s
> the social aspects where the cracks are coming in).
>
>
>
> * People have to carpool to get to work. But there’s just no way to work.
>
>
>
> Yes, as we’ve reopened up, we are exchanging the economic life for the
> human health component.
>
>
>
> * My son came back from south Florida a week and a half ago. We did
> quarantine, test, stay distanced, etc. If this expansiveness is going to be
> short-lived, are we going back to stricter protocols?
>
>
>
> No, Gov. Whitmer has been trying all along to hit a balance. There are so
> many rural areas; Gov can carve up the state, make rules region-specific.
> Going outside is always going to be important — much safer indoors, and
> people can’t handle being cooped up.
>
>
>
> * Gyms, swimming pools: remain closed?
>
>
>
> Gyms will probably remain closed, Gov may reopen just for a while. Overall
> map of Michigan is still staying flat. Get your haircuts now!
>
>
>
> * Appreciations: Sharon’s contributions during COVID-19 times.
>
>
>
>
>
> AD HOC COVID GREAT OAK OPENING GROUP: GREAT OAK ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
> PANEL — for decision (Presenter: Mary, Facilitator: Amy)
>
>
>
> We’re an interesting cast of characters: Sharon (epidemiologist), Syndallas
> (governor board member), Mary (pulling all the pieces together).
>
>
>
> We were originally tasked with how to reopen the CH. But first we realized
> there’s a need for an overall framework that needed to be managed by
> Steering. This is a somewhat lengthy proposal; will go through broad
> contours then discuss particulars.
>
>
>
> 1. Steering is responsible party for establishing any COVID reopening.
>
> 2. Each committee responsible for figuring out this within their purview
>
> 3. Coordinating feature needed for all changes: everyone in the community
> needs to be informed. (Many changes; important that everyone including
> guests have a mechanism to stay informed on up-to-date guidelines
>
> 4. Steering will be ultimate decider of when any facility needs to be
> closed down again.
>
>
>
> Steering Committee: establish a process for committees to submit relevant
> policies. Three things needed from committees:
>
> 1. What? (Policies that hold us all accountable; agreements to abide by
> those policies)
>
> 2. How? (How can these risks be mitigated? How to identify where the
> risks are and mitigate them? EX: risk = close proximity / RESPONSE: masks,
> social distancing, etc. EX: surfaces / HOW: cleaning)
>
> 3. Who? (Who is going to do these things, and how are we going to
> protect them? Training, etc. Zingermans has a strong plan.)
>
>
>
> Steering is empowered group charged with reviewing & approving committee
> plans. Designated person needed (Syndallas?) to assess whether changes need
> to be made week-by-week; someone helping the Steering Committee stay on top
> of this. Plan for contact tracing: info about guests, etc.
>
>
>
> Committee purview as part of this plan: Make sure we know what they do is
> safe and in compliance. Differences in plans based on different
> risk/comfort levels between individuals. Making a commitment to making sure
> everyone has the information. Steering would contact Washtenaw Health Dept
> if there’s a known case.
>
>
>
> Questions?
>
>
>
> * Elaborate on other GO facilities we might need to plan for.
>
>
>
> Workshop, common community garages. Shared spaces: garden, playground,
> anywhere we’d typically congregate. Respective committees need to have a
> plan in place for such areas, situations like TS coming over.
>
>
>
> * If there’s a known case on campus, Steering will contact HD. But how do
> we know if there’s a case? Known case requires testing (out of our hands) —
> so do we notify if we suspect a case?
>
>
>
> Reason why we put that piece in there is that we want to assist each other
> — because the CH is a community facility, the HD might tell us we need to
> close it down.
>
>
>
> * What teeth do we have to enforce things?
>
>
>
> Our relationships.
>
>
>
> * Who makes sure committee plans are in accord with this proposal?
>
>
>
> People have just been figuring out how to do the right thing, without clear
> guidance around all common areas (like playing field).
>
>
>
> * Has the team thought about contingencies in case someone gets sick?
>
>
>
> Clarifications could be added to the Proposal document. But we already have
> a policy that committee members who can’t make Steering meetings need to
> send someone in their place.
>
>
>
> * Line of succession: ex: where a handful of people get sick, system
> collapses. Come up with a plan in case we get really hard-hit?
>
>
>
> It is something we do need to think about.
>
>
>
> * Why would we want to reopen CH at this point, if we’re expected to use
> masks & socially distance? One example: sometimes with my quilting business
> I want to meet with a client in the CH (we’d both follow rules), but only
> if the community is okay with that. Example: teens getting together — can’t
> in house, but maybe 2 friends in CH would be better? Melissa (therapy
> room): 1-2 visitors a week. Danger of growing beyond our capacity if reopen
> to everyone. Don’t understand why we’d do that while we’re trying to
> protect the community.
>
>
>
> This policy is around protocols and responsibilities for opening up /
> dealing with any community space; currently, no protocols in place for many
> of these. Also working on a separate CH proposal: suggest setting this
> aside during this meeting section.
>
>
>
> * Concern: we have a group wanting to make the CH more available, but we
> aren’t considering the safety of community.
>
>
>
> This proposal will establish a procedure around agreeing about such
> concerns; it’s a preliminary step to addressing your concern. This proposal
> is about establishing a consistent process. We are a consensus-based body,
> so I don’t see a situation where Steering just tells other committees to
> open a common area.
>
>
>
> * What if committees ask Steering to open common facilities?
>
>
>
> Don’t think this is going to happen over next few months. But as we
> approach fall, there’s going to be a lot of hesitation around reopening. At
> the same time, we need to move toward tending to the glue that holds this
> community together.
>
>
>
> * Reporting to a body around outside guests (policing) versus taking
> personal responsibility to report.
>
>
>
> Proposal will put a procedure in place: doesn’t say what the plan is, just
> that it’s Steering’s responsibility for making a plan.
>
>
>
>
>
> Show of thumbs: consensus whether this proposal works for us: process for
> committees to reopen some common areas and have a protocol for responding
> to concerns? (YES)
>
>
>
> Questions/concerns?
>
>
>
> * It’s asking a lot of the committees, which are often under water. Also
> challenging for committees to do what they usually do and also follow
> government guidelines. Work Committee will have to work extra after other
> committees come to decisions.
>
>
>
> Ad Hoc committee would be willing to help committees. This will be written
> into the proposal. Also, Gov working on having a single-page daily protocol
> update.
>
>
>
> * Hire outside help when we need it? Tracking, policy making, helping GO
> with its capacity to handle this? More members for CH Committee?
>
>
>
> Will be taking this into consideration.
>
>
>
> Consensus:
>
>
>
> Concerns? (no)
>
>
>
> Show of thumbs (AGREED)
>
>
>
> Next Steps: CH is in some ways the most complicated facility we have. We
> are putting together a draft proposal (not quite done – will come back to
> Steering); can serve as a model for the other shared facilities.
>
>
>
>
>
> STEERING ANNOUNCEMENTS (Presenter: Debbi, Facilitator: Amy)
>
>
>
> Adding work hour credits for Sharon/Syndallas/Mary King for their work with
> Ad Hoc group.
>
> July meeting: addressing issue of a household seriously in arrears. COVID
> impact led to delay of decision-making
>
>
>
> Steering mandate: make decisions that need to be made before a community
> meeting. One example: adding members to CRC. If they agree that they wish
> to add members, Steering is prepared to make sure they have the resources
> they need.
>
> Please communicate with Work about hour changes needed!
>
>
>
>
>
> GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (Amy)
>
>
>
> * Can Work go back to using the online system?
>
>
>
> Yes, planning on it. Many changes happening, will require a lot of work to
> get that back up. Hopefully by next round.
>
>
> * Marta is not representing CH anymore. Currently, CHC has no convener.
>
>
>
>
>
> EVALUATION & THANKS (Syndallas)
>
>
>
> Any things we liked about this meeting?
>
>
>
> * We got a lot of work done talking through the proposal – thanks to people
> for putting it together
>
>
>
> * Thanks to Dr. Sharon for her updates, not just the science but the heart.
>
>
>
> * Nice to see folks.
>
>
>
> * Really proud to have neighbors keep my feet connected to the facts.
>
>
>
> * Thanks to everyone for the heart, caring in this group: it’s a lot of
> work to do this.
>
>
>
>
>
> What can we improve?
>
>
>
> * Get rid of COVID!
>
>
>
>
>
> ADJOURN (Syndallas)
>
>
>
> Next Meeting 7/11 — email your agenda items to Debbi
>
>
>
> Thanks, take care.
>
>
>
> END
>
> -----
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