Sand River Cohousing

COMMUNITY WORK

FALL CLEANUP &
PUMPKIN DECORATING 2022

This year's annual fall cleanup and Halloween common house decorating, sponsored by the Landscape and Common House Teams respectively, enjoyed a crisp sunny autumn day. Thanks to those who organized and participated — Carla, Carol F, Frank, Ginger, Jill, Joany, John, Karen, Marvel, Nancy, Pam, Rita, Summer, and Angela.

FALL CLEANUP 2021

Our annual fall community work–play day took place Halloween weekend and, given the proximity to the day, there were a few costumed participants.

HALLOWEEN CLEANUP 2020

Sand River made lemonade out of lemons in a time of pandemic. We gathered in late October for a masked and costumed cleanup day that included work, play, and repast. For a slide show of Sand River's lovely habitat at this time of year, go to SAND RIVER HABITAT, FALL 2020.

ACCESS PATH

Upgrading the public access path along the Arroyo de Los Piñones at the bottom of Sand River is the first phase in the creation of a Green Screen. This planned development of additional vegetation—consisting of native trees, shrubs, and plants—is providing habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Following the upgrade of the path by leveling and installing a drainage feature, Elaine, Sandy, and Marvel mulched the path with wood chips (shown below) to signal to hikers the location of the path.

Work participation is at the heart of community. In addition to the contributions individuals and teams make to the functioning of Sand River throughout the year, various teams host seasonal community cleanup days. Spring 2019's cleanup was a combined effort of the Landscape, Buildings & Grounds, and Library Teams, with a focus on the orchard, common landscape areas, shed, library, and signage. Refreshments were available for participants and there was a drawing for prizes, consisting of non-GMO plants, flowers, and seeds. Sand River compost was offered free to participating residents for their own gardens.

Garland and Rose moving garden soil from pickup to wheelbarrow to the orchard, July 2010

COMMON HOUSE TASKS 2019

SPRING CLEANUP 2019

BG&S
PATHS & DRAINAGE

SAND RIVER TEAMS & WORK-RELATED ACTIVITIES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Serves as a governing body, as per bylaws, and confirms community decisions arrived at by consensus and/or fall-back voting

TREASURER / FINANCE

As a Board officer, manages the Sand River budget, investments, and reserve study matters with the assistance of the Finance Committee and input of the community

BOOKKEEPER

Keeps records and pays bills

HUB

Assists facilitator with the agenda for upcoming community business meetings

COVENANTS

Preserves the aesthetic and monetary value of homes as well as residents' health and well-being

OUTREACH

Maintains a public presence and identity in the larger community as well as serves as an interface with prospective residents via the Sand River website sandriver.org

ORIENTATION

Acquaints a new resident with details of their unit, the common house, and outdoor grounds

TOUR GUIDES

Take visitors on tours of the community

Moving gravel, February 2020

LANDSCAPE

Furthers property values, environmental beauty and sustainability, and community well-being by maintaining community trees and perennials, drip and water-harvesting systems, and compost; protects against erosion through swale and water-catchment maintenance; and consults with residents regarding care of personal and common areas

WELL-BEING

Enhances individual and collective well-being

SECURITY

Advises residents of secure practices; manages common house security

RESOURCES

Manages digital data storage, including governing documents as well as team minutes and documentation

GUEST ROOM COORDINATOR

Takes bookings, offers travel directions, provides keys, orients guest, and arranges for cleaning

MEETINGS IMPROVEMENT

Gathers and implements ideas and methods for improving monthly community business meetings

RESOLUTION

Identifies and understands conflict or sources of conflict in the community; provides support and resources so that residents can learn to resolve their differences, thereby creating a more peaceful environment for all

GARDEN

When active, cultivates an organic garden and provides healthy food to nourish the community

MEALS

Produces quarterly meal chart, sends out weekly announcement of meals, posts meal sign-up list, calculates meal cost, collects and gives money to treasurer for reimbursement

KITCHEN

Empties dishwasher and sweeps floor

COMMON HOUSE USE

Schedules common house usage by residents and organizations they host

COMMON HOUSE

Manages its interior ambiance

GRAPHICS

Develops and maintains community branding, website, print media, and signage

FACILITATOR SCHEDULING

Manages and updates the facilitator schedule for monthly community business meetings

TEAMS LIST

Manages and updates a list of team participants and resident representation on teams

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

Maintains the common house, shed, roads, pathways, drainages, and building exteriors; installs and maintains motion-detector lights as needed

LIBRARY

Manages the library collection and reviews new acquisitions