Jimmy’s Road

I want to draw your attention to a document that B# has written regarding the use of a shared road. To read the document, contact B#. It is not the details I am interested in for this post, but the framing. I think it is an excellent example of how to “do community”.

The document is not binding. It is presented as a best practice. It is emphasized in the document that it is a suggestion for what the interested parties and supporters think is best for the shared space. I also like that is a living document, meaning that the document will change as people provide input. Also, putting the wishes for the road into type provides clarity, a record of what was said, and a great reference for new users.

Here is an excerpt from the intro.

With evolving membership and the natural ebb and flow of people through these spaces, a few of us got together and put a shared vision out for an access road we all share and use. The hope is that through this we can be aware of each others desires and different uses of the road, find a way to use it that works for us all, and share it with future community members.
There is nothing binding about this document. We hope that community members engage with it to shape it into something that works for us all, and to be clear on our shared visioning. We recommend that we refer to it when planning activities on the road which could alter it, and to communicate our intentions in the spirit of letting each other know. But that we don’t expect our activity to have to go through any sort of approval process.

Daily Quotient

I’m announcing a new series within the Dragonfly blog called Daily Quotient. It will feature seven themes – one to match each day of the week. For the most part, it will be a photo essay – a short blurb about a photo taken here on the farm relating to the theme for that day. There are several motives. Firstly, I get to share my exploration of Dragonfly, and, in particular, it’s archives. Secondly, I am happy to provide a window for fellow Dragonfliers and interested community members to the inner collections and happenings here. Lastly, it’s for fun.

The daily themes (for the time being) are:
Sunday – a book from the eclectic DF library
Monday – art work found in the house
Tuesday – a piece of tech from the property
Wednesday – Lava lamp baby! oh yea!
Thursday – a people-related moment in time
Friday – a piece of nature
Saturday – a tangible object not already mentioned.

It all begins tomorrow, Sunday February 26th.

Spring (cleaning) is early!

Well, with the un-seasonably warm weather this week, the Big House members have started some early spring cleaning. We have unearthed many a corner in this house. The kids’ toy area under the stairs is now just that again. The living room/dining room is still coming along nicely; we have a great dining space and a big screen setup for movies. The upstairs hall has begun to clear up as well.

Today, was a feat. The bathroom has been cleared and is fully functional – tub, loo, and wringer washer. You just have to haul your water in 😛 Also, the same with the mud room – cleared (mostly). An interesting treasure awaited us in the mud room – a stash of Andy’s photos. Wait ’til you see these Andy! Olathe and Wayne were very intrigued as they went through them. Olathe also found an old photo album of Sam and her when she was a baby. Olathe and Wayne are like two archeologists on a huge dig. Lots to explore!

Meeting follow-up

Well, back at the beginning of this month (February) there was a meeting. Some members were no shows, one was uncooperative, but hey some things were accomplished. There is now a finance committee that includes some Big House residents, and some discussion took place regarding the logging. However, there is going to be much work needed here. Hopefully, focusing on the positive will bring it along swimmingly.

Mandate

There has been some great conversation generated amongst the household members and visitors to the Big House, regarding Dragonfly’s direction. For now, Wayne and Olathe have developed (and discussed with other residents) a mandate! I think it is a great launch pad. It goes as follows:

To provide a geographic resource to facilitate community-based projects.

Well, go ahead and let us know what you think…

Party time!

Nothing is set in stone yet, but there may be a party at Dragonfly this weekend. It will be a combination of Clark’s birthday, a house warming, and an all around Aquarius party. Short notice we realize, however, if you don’t already have plans, call the Big house and ask Olathe about the party. I’ll post more when there is more to post.

UPDATE: Well, there was two great parties since this post, Clark’s birthday and then mine (Steve). And there will be pictures posted soon.

Vision statement

An idea going around lately is developing a vision for the farm. I personally think this is a great idea for many reasons. Once agreed upon, there is a direction to move forward. It also puts people’s ideas in writing. Writing something down and working on the text helps to clarity the ideas trying to be expressed. I look forward to this effort and I encourage others to begin developing vision and mission statements. First, explore the information in the link to gain an understanding about these statements. Then return and start brainstorming in the comments below. Once the ball is rolling, a second post will be written to aggregate the comments and start developing the vision. The point being – Go nuts! Don’t hold back. Let us know what you think the community should be…

UPDATE: There has been some great conversation on this topic. Check out our mandate post!

Upcoming meeting

Exciting news for the farm – there is a meeting of dragonfliers scheduled for next week. This will be the first of many I am sure. There has not been a meeting in sometime. Longer than usual anyways.

There is much to talk about and this first meeting is certainly not going to cover all the topics that are on peoples minds, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

There will be a follow-up post after the meeting.

UPDATE: There is now a post-meeting post 🙂

Piano

The end of era. The piano in the main house at Dragonfly is moving on. It will be loved and cared for at Mad Beaver (i.e. no more freezing and thawing). This will free up some space in the main house, which is part of the continuing effort to reduce clutter in the house. For this momentous event, Stu, Wayne, Olathe, and myself are here and we are awaiting recruits (Rocky, Blair, Tammy, possibly others)…. Oh, they just arrived. Gotta go.