Minutes, ACM, Nov. 26, 2023

Topics: consensus resources on cohousing.org; budget

Present: Lynda, Amalie, Laura, Larraine, Vicky, Hannah & Steve #7, Linda, Lila, Starla, Jorge, Robin, Ben, Grae, Michael #25, Alex, Kerry, Tobi & Coleman, Cheryl, Vinnie

If anyone is interested in learning more or getting involved with the Palestinian/Gaza movement in Salt Lake, talk to Grae.

Conflict Support Committee Presentation

Centering.  It's hard to train yourself not to react instantly when you are surprised. Surprise creates off-balance in your body; even assuming an expression of surprise (raising your eyebrows) can affect your body.  If you are centered physically and/or mentally you can much more easily resist being pushed mentally or physically. Can arrange your feet or be conscious of bodily center.

Consensus. Recommend watching Webchat #4 Yana Ludwig at cohousing.org; Need articulated values.  Need periodic refreshers, reviewing values.  In the page footer is a link to webchats.  (Some of the later ones are on covid and may be less relevant in 'normal' times.) There are consensus resources on our community wiki or under "Other Resources" on the directory page.

Budget

Most of our budget is calendar year.  The amount charged for fees runs February to February, because January fees are due before the annual meeting, and we've decided it's simpler not to require everyone to retroactively pay the difference for January.

Currently we are $15K overbudget for 2023. 

62% of our fee income goes into the reserve.  In recent years we've been increasing the amount going into the reserve by 3% each year.

Expenditures in the budget are grouped into nondiscretionary and discretionary. A number of committees have budget lines in both sections:  Landscaping, common house, etc. For instance, we aren't going to not buy toilet paper (supplies), whereas furnishings can be postponed.

Wasons have recently paid for electrical charging for their vehicle, for both 2022 and 2023.

Communications committee has $162, probably for zoom.

To arrive at an estimate for 2024, multiplied the expenditures extrapolated to year-end by 4% (that is, times 1.04).  Various income streams are hard to predict, such as interest earned, pay-or-play payments.  With a 4% increase in fees, the budget comes in $8K over.  It would require almost 13% increase in fees to zero out.

December ACM schedule is being reversed, second Sunday and fourth Wednesday. Sunday 10th at 3:00 p.m., discuss alternative revenue streams, possible expense reductions. Wednesday December 20 7:00 p.m.  Annual Meeting January 10.

Committee Reports

Welcoming. Have had two meetings for newest residents, another in January. Advertisement in cohousing.org; one response from a couple in Washington state who may visit.

Maintenance, meeting tomorrow 7:00 p.m.

ACM Planning Committee.  Need facilitators!  Training available, books and webchats.