Phase 0 Spotlight: Governance Committee

Happy Sunday to all of you! Last month, we got a bird's eye view of Phase 0 - committees, objectives, and big picture stuff. This month, we'll start digging into the specifics of the Governance Committee and how it will drive the initial development of Kinhold. But first, did you know you can access this website as an app on the Wix Spaces app? Then you can set up notifications and never miss an update! Just download Wix Spaces in the Apple or Google Play store, click "Join With Code", and enter the code C1SDN7.

Before we go further, let's have a quick recap from last month about what GovCom is and does. The basic purpose is in the name - governance - but what does that look like in the day-to-day operations? The first goals will be to determine how group decisions will be made, how records will be shared and stored, and what membership expectations look like. In the coming months, we will begin to explore these topics. And as the community and committee grow, Kinhold's future will be decided and founding documents drafted.

So where are we now? Honestly... the hard part. A lot of people are interested in the Kinhold concept and have expressed enthusiasm. But more detailed planning and more committed membership are the next step, so we're trying to take theoretical interest and turn it into meaningful action. The first tangible product of that action will be our founding documents, and you can help!

For the cohousing community arm of the project - Kinhold Commons - we will need a constitution and by-laws. A constitution is a document that lays out our core values, our inalienable truths, the tenets by which we live. The by-laws, on the other hand, dictate our specific operating procedures and who carries out which tasks. These two documents together will define our identity as a community and determine how we grow in the future. Like with the United States Constitution and our country's laws, the decisions made here will continue to affect nearly every decision made by the Kinhold Project for the rest of its (hopefully long!) existence.

The other important founding document - a business plan for Kinhold Campground - will be a joint effort between the Governance and Finance Committees. (More on FinCom in next month's blog post!) Kinhold Campground will occupy an adjacent plot to Kinhold Commons and will produce the community's first independent stream of income, as well as interest in the project as a whole. Long-term goals for the campground include event venues, rental facilities for local small businesses, and eco-tourism activities that help bring awareness to our values and mission while also offering a practical way to sustain the community. Not only will a business plan help us crystallize our ideas and clarify our strategy, but it will also serve as the vehicle by which we secure any necessary grants or loans.

If you're looking to join GovCom, join our Government Committee group here on the Kinhold website or app. This will be the first committee to see regular updates and tangible opportunities to get involved, starting with semiannual committee meetings. Do you have an interest in government? Are you kind of a control freak but play well with others? Do you have a deep passion for the Kinhold concept and want to help bring it to life? If you want to influence the actual structure of Kinhold, this is your opportunity.

Come back in the coming weeks for GovCom updates in the Groups tab, and come back to the blog next month for updates on FinCom!