This thread is a good indication that we are all participating in an innovative, evolving concept. It's wonderful to see everyone so passionate.
Up till now I haven't thought explicitly about what constitutes the coworking movement. My experience has been focused on the nuts and bolts of establishing a collaborative coworking space that does, indeed, have two people on the lease and a steering committee making key decisions. I have been involved in a number of social movements. (I have to say disability has never had the almost immediate media attention that coworking has.) Here's a few things I've learned. Discussing and arguing semantics illustrates the vibrancy of an emerging movement. The words we use helps to define the new vision we’re seeking. It’s important to remember that we all want essentially the same thing. Exactly how achieve that is the discussion. Remembering we all want the same thing means we have to listen to what others are saying and be respectful of them and their opinions. Sometimes that’s hard because of our passion and fear that this wonderful thing might slip away. All that being said, four years ago I read about the then 9 year old San Francisco Writers’ Grotto. I knew I desperately needed to work in a space like the Grotto, where there were other like-minded people and I didn’t have to give up my self-employment. Then, when I googled coworking last September I saw how I could help create a coworking space here in Sonoma County. I became part of a supportive community that reflects the values of coworking. From the beginning coworking for me has been the space. I’ve worked in collegial offices and while they might have many of the benefits of coworking I didn’t have the freedom I do now as a consultant. I’ve participated in online communities that provide the support of coworking, but it’s not the same as face to face. Our original core group looked at different coworking spaces. We talked about what kind of building we should rent. It was, for us the coworking space that made it real and satisfied our needs. For me coworking is a space that incorporates key values. Anthony http://www.SoCoDepot.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
