Aging in Community Meeting:  1st Open Meeting
September 10th, 2006, North Asheville Library, 4-6PM
 
Attending were 40 people, a little over half had attended the workshop in July at NCCCR
 
Marianne Kilkenny and Alex Mawhinney made a brief introduction of "the mission", themselves and the Tuesday Night Gang of 7 (an informal group)
 
A breakdown of the questionnaire and brief discussion-
    25 turned in- from those generally the results were:
    Urban/Asheville and Elder Rich and many were open on age specifics and most were Burning Desire and Interested Seekers -exact numbers were shared
Those who didn't get questionnaires were asked to take and fill out. Also available via email. Just ask!
   
 
Groups: We broke up into groups of 5 and addressed the question, "What do you want from your community?". Met back together and a spokesperson from each group shared what they discussed. Below are results.
 
    #1: High quality aesthetics; Near mass transit; Intergenerational; Affordability, some rental units; Shared facilities,eg. a common house,pool, big tools; Near medical facilities; Ability to stay home to end of life; extended family, tribe, village
 
    #2: Chosen family; balance between privacy and community; Affordability; Simplification; Sustainability; FUN; Care facilities and services for later life; access to transit and stores
 
    #3 Later life care and facilities; Artists' studios and music rooms; Garden; Shared laundry; Pets; Affordability; Conversion of existing properties to community use; The (French Broad) River as possible site
 
   #4 Simplification and downsizing; Access to public transit and/or walkability; Developer driven to shorten time frame; No agreement in this group about age range, suggested a contiguous elder rich to intergenerational situation; Later life care and/or Greenhouse facility
 
   #5 This group had a particular interest in Artisan Park; Possible CSA; Permaculture design; Alternative energy; Community of friends with common projects and some elements of co-housing; Cluster housing; Greenspace; Large area in Conservation
 
   #6 Spirituality; Green building; Sustainability; Privacy; Sharing skills; Gardens and food production; Flexibility to come and go; Commitment and Respect; Shared maintenance; Alternative and Preventative healing modalities
 
   #7 Balance of privacy and community; Shared values; Boundaries on pets and smoking; Atrium common space; House share opportunities; Houseswapping within the network of communities; Walkability; Shared cars and large appliances; Environmental awareness and small footprint lifestyle; "Good Death" consciousness and rituals; Consensus and conflict resolution

 
This led to a short discussion about decision making methods and included some mention of consensus methods, "Clan Mothers" and gifted leadership. We heard a bit about the "Elder Family" group that has a process for integrating guests as a component in building their community.
 
Wrap up by Marianne. A contribution for expenses was asked for.
Handouts of websites and readings available. Also announced other related meetings. Elderspirit forming group -contact Jean Marie Luce at (828)350-8220 and the Special Interest Group, at NCCCR forming on Communities for the 2nd Half of Life. ORGANIZATION MEETING: Monday, Sept 25 from 5-7pm for members.
 
Announcement about the next meeting on Sunday,October 1st at the Library again between 4-6pm. Looking for alternate sites that we can share food together.
 
 
Let me know if I missed anything. Pass on, tell people about us!  See you soon!
 
 
Marianne Kilkenny
Carolina Renaissance Communities