SELF-GOVERNANCE
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COHOUSING COMMUNITY
Sand River is a self-governing 55+ cohousing community of active elders who choose cohousing for the benefits of living in community and participating fully in the life of Sand River. We are not an assisted-living facility. We own and manage our grounds and common house collectively, and coordinate activities and events. For the good decision making of self-governance we depend on the participation of each and every one of our owners and residents. We govern through monthly community meetings where we create policies through a collaborative consensus process. As a self-governing community we strive to be egalitarian and transparent. CONDOMINIUM LAW Sand River is also a condo association, formed as a nonprofit corporation under New Mexico Condominium law. Our governing documents include the Sand River Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations. The declaration includes conditions of approval from the City of Santa Fe. We have a board of directors, which makes decisions involving legal or fiscal matters. The Board exhibits maximum transparency to the community. Residents are welcome to participate at monthly board meetings. Executive sessions are limited. HYBRID GOVERNANCE Because we are both a self-governing community and an incorporated condominium, we think of ourselves as having hybrid governance. The policies we adopt in our community meetings are legally rules and regulations. Once they are approved by the community, decisions are reviewed by the board for legal and financial compliance, and ratified. Our hybrid governance is a system of checks and balances. TEAM ADVICE AND IMPLEMENTATION Decisions are made and implemented by our teams, committees, and ad hoc groups, within the scope of their mission and expertise. They also act as advisory bodies to the community and the board in creating and implementing plans. They announce, provide agendas, and post minutes of their meetings. Meetings are open to all community members. |
THOUGHTFUL TIME-RICH DECISION MAKING
Without the active participation of all, our community begins to break down. Information and everyone's perspectives need to be shared. Thoughtful communication and collaboration, based on shared information, is key when making tough decisions. Good decision making takes time. 
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