[Coworking] Coworking as summer camp?

2014-09-16 Thread Alex Linsker
At Collective Agency in Portland Oregon we're starting to look at vision
and values again, we update every now and then.

I'm trying to find an overall metaphor/unifying theme of what most members
want -- in the past it was cozy fireplace (which worked great for years)
and small democratic city (which could have worked but didn't totally
work), but we're outgrowing those for something even better.

Part of what I'm trying to figure out is: when someone leaves or quits or
chooses not to be there anymore, what is the metaphor (how do you tell
people in a way that makes them want to be here even more, or at least not
any less, or how do you think of it/feel about someone not being there who
used to be)?

Recently we had something that seemed like a summer camp reunion, with some
past members, current members, recently joined members, everybody seemed
happy to see each other.
http://collectiveagency.co/2014/09/16/chapman-swifts/ I'm wondering if
summer camp is a theme that might work for a co-working place, and if
anyone here has thought about it, what works about it as a metaphor, what
doesn't work. We have optional activities, people each have ongoing program
commitments which ideally they are passionate about and committed to,
people make friends who ideally they hang out with here and outside of
here, etc. Differences from summer camp: it's year-round, people are paying
for themselves, and they live nearby. Are there any other differences?

Personal values that members have expressed a desire for (that we love
having here and want even more of) include: friendships, laughter,
expressing appreciation, inspiration, learning.

Does anyone know any vision statements of summer camps?

Also, I'm starting to put together a booklet of improv games for members
and staff to organize activities such as lunch and thinking about doing
sales. Has anyone done a games format to coworking (or community organizing
or project management)?

Thanks,

Alex
-- 
Alex Linsker
Collective Agency's Community Organizer / Proprietor
 (503) 517-6900 http://collectiveagency.co
Tax and Conversation's Statewide Community Organizer
 (503) 517-6904 taxandconversation.com
(503) 369-9174 mobile   (503) 517-6901 fax
322 NW Sixth Ave, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209

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Re: [Coworking] Coworking as summer camp?

2014-09-16 Thread Alex Hillman
I don't know of a particular summer camp vision statements, but I've had 
several of our members describe their experience/impressions this way (each one 
qualifying, in the best way possible). 


They described a bit more detail, including the generational aspect of the 
community (the seniors  the freshmen, anybody?). The welcomingness and 
comradery, the support to be daring and try new things, the sharing of stories 
and experiences. 




So I don't have much to add except, I'm with you (and our members are with you) 
on the comparison. :)




Excited to see how this thread unfolds. 




-Alex




P.s. Two out of three of our staff members are improv vets. I don't consider 
this a coincidence and I think it will become part of our training going 
forward. 


--
/ah
indyhall.org

On Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 8:38 PM, Alex Linsker alexlins...@gmail.com
wrote:

 At Collective Agency in Portland Oregon we're starting to look at vision
 and values again, we update every now and then.
 I'm trying to find an overall metaphor/unifying theme of what most members
 want -- in the past it was cozy fireplace (which worked great for years)
 and small democratic city (which could have worked but didn't totally
 work), but we're outgrowing those for something even better.
 Part of what I'm trying to figure out is: when someone leaves or quits or
 chooses not to be there anymore, what is the metaphor (how do you tell
 people in a way that makes them want to be here even more, or at least not
 any less, or how do you think of it/feel about someone not being there who
 used to be)?
 Recently we had something that seemed like a summer camp reunion, with some
 past members, current members, recently joined members, everybody seemed
 happy to see each other.
 http://collectiveagency.co/2014/09/16/chapman-swifts/ I'm wondering if
 summer camp is a theme that might work for a co-working place, and if
 anyone here has thought about it, what works about it as a metaphor, what
 doesn't work. We have optional activities, people each have ongoing program
 commitments which ideally they are passionate about and committed to,
 people make friends who ideally they hang out with here and outside of
 here, etc. Differences from summer camp: it's year-round, people are paying
 for themselves, and they live nearby. Are there any other differences?
 Personal values that members have expressed a desire for (that we love
 having here and want even more of) include: friendships, laughter,
 expressing appreciation, inspiration, learning.
 Does anyone know any vision statements of summer camps?
 Also, I'm starting to put together a booklet of improv games for members
 and staff to organize activities such as lunch and thinking about doing
 sales. Has anyone done a games format to coworking (or community organizing
 or project management)?
 Thanks,
 Alex
 -- 
 Alex Linsker
 Collective Agency's Community Organizer / Proprietor
  (503) 517-6900 http://collectiveagency.co
 Tax and Conversation's Statewide Community Organizer
  (503) 517-6904 taxandconversation.com
 (503) 369-9174 mobile   (503) 517-6901 fax
 322 NW Sixth Ave, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209
 -- 
 Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
 --- 
 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
 Coworking group.
 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
 email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
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Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
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