Laird Schaub, a member of Sandhill Farm community in Missouri, has been doing consulting work on group process since 1987. A longtime activist in community networking, he has lived in community since 1974 and been involved with the Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC) since 1986; he is currently its Executive Secretary. 660-883-5545. Laird authors a blog which can be read at communityandconsensus.blogspot.com.
Articles by Laird Schaub
Eat Like You Give a Damn (Issue # 159)
A Shibboleth from Seattle
Sandhill Farm offers models of local, seasonal, responsible, engaged eating.
Crossing the Red Sea (Issue # 159)
The Dryer, the Chain Saw, and the Laptop (Issue # 158)
Forty Candles and Counting (Issue # 157)
Echovillage Living (Issue # 156)
“Busting the Myth, Part II”: More Thoughts (Issue # 156)
When a member of a minority population claims racism, how does a group committed to racial nondiscrimination respond?
Doing the Heavy Lifting on Affordability (Issue # 155)
A consensus-based cohousing group works to maintain and enhance their multicultural mix as they decide how to invest in future affordable housing.
“Busting the Myth” (Issue # 155)
How Consensus Can Work
A longtime consensus trainer describes how, when used properly, consensus can lead to both better decisions and better relationships.
Much Better, Thanks (Issue # 155)
Giving Up the Gjetost (Issue # 154)
Seeing I, Eye to Eye
Changeaculture (Issue # 153)
Left Livelihood (Issue # 152)
Doing the Rights Thing
Managing Management (Issue # 152)
Relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. Through a culture of communication and support, communities can create the healthy container which relationships need in order to flourish.
Down the Rabbit Hole (Issue # 151)
Communities Continues to Make Friends...and Lose Money
The Tyranny of Structurelessness? (Issue # 151)
Being Vigilant About Vigilante Dynamics (Issue # 150)
Let’s not use mental health labels to stigmatize and categorize those we find difficult.
The Passing of a Gentle Warrior for Peace (Issue # 149)
Eggshells and Stone Walls (Issue # 149)
Keys to Effective Notetaking
Three Essential Agreements of Effective Groups (Issue # 148)
The Straw Poll that Broke the Camel’s Back (Issue # 148)
Afloat in Choppy Seas (Issue # 147)
Though Our Support is Hot, Our Profits are Not
Miller Keeps the Gears Turning (Issue # 147)
Problem Solving in Community (Issue # 146)
Family Dramas (Issue # 146)
Lessons from the Orchard (Issue # 145)
A PEACH of a Health Care Plan
The Bully Question (Issue # 145)
How Collaboration Falls Short (Issue # 144)
With Hints About How to Help It Go Long
Avoiding Abundance’s Traps (Issue # 144)
O Subscriber, Where Art Thou? (Issue # 143)
Balancing Outer and Inner Ecology (Issue # 143)
Minding the "P"s for Cues (Issue # 143)
Technology Doesn't Change Just the Answers--Sometimes It Changes the Questions as Well (Issue # 142)
Cigarettes, Alcohol, Visitors, and Events (Issue # 142)
My Journey with Money (Issue # 141)
Best Meetings (Issue # 141) Three group-process experts answer the question: "Please tell us a story of one of the best meetings you ever attended (as participant or facilitator). What was great about it? What do you think made it turn out so well?”
Whole Foods (Issue # 140)
Half a Solution?
Pulling Proposals Out of a Hat (or Some Orifice) (Issue # 140)
Our newest FIC blogger offers aids to efficient and energizing group proposal generation which replace battling, coercion, and rigidity with curiosity, flexibility, and bridge-building.
Kat Kinkade, 1930-2008 (Issue # 140)
Good to Go (Issue # 139)
Though the Boat Has a Hole in It, We're Plenty See-worthy
Martyrs and Slackers (Issue # 138)
Finessing the Fit Between Flexible and Fair
Can't Live With It, Can't Live Without It
What can you do if some people in your group seem to have more power than others? Our consensus trainers and group process experts respond.
Taking Time for Transitions (Issue # 137)
Geoph Kozeny--Dead at 57 (Issue # 137)
The Road Trip Ends
Our consensus trainers and communication and process experts advise what to do about inadvertent "minority rule" in community.
Tragedy's Hard Questions (Issue # 136)
Curious George Steps Back (Issue # 136)
Our consensus trainers and communication and process experts advise what to do about "repeat blockers" in community.
Looking Up (Issue # 135)
Hopeful Signs from our Annual Bean Counting
The Marriage of Marriage and Community (Issue # 134)
My Labyrinthine Path to the Altar
Expert advice from five community process and communication consultants.
