Island Cohousing, LLC
Operating Agreement

Exhibit A
Guiding Principles

1. Process The development process will support all Member Households' and Individual Members' active participation and facilitate eventual group management of the cohousing community that results. All Member Households and Individual Members are expected to participate in the development process and governance so the community will truly be a reflection of the values of the residents.
2. Design Create an aesthetically uplifting and culturally rich setting that nurtures and inspires all members, provides individual and household privacy, and respects abutters and neighbors. Through a careful programming process reach design solutions that satisfy the Member Households' and Individual Members' needs, desires, and finances.
3. Affordability Create affordable purchase costs for housing and common facilities and plan for affordable long term maintenance. Allow for diverse incomes and financial abilities. Subsidize several units internally as needed. Structure the construction process to allow some "sweat equity" investment if desired.
4. Ecology Employ ecological design principles, strive for minimal environmental impact, use resources and energy wisely, and support ecologically benign living.
5. Common Facilities Include in the community a common house with kitchen and eating facilities and some or all of the following: play areas, workshop areas, laundry, guest space, library, greenhouse. Include common recreational and agricultural areas.
6. Diversity Encourage diversity and discriminate against no one. Seek to accommodate the varying needs of different ages, disabilities, and financial abilities.
7. Community Integration Integrate carefully with the surrounding neighborhood and be a responsible and participatory member of the Martha's Vineyard community.
8. Mixed Use Provide facilities for and encourage home enterprise.
9. Decision-Making Make all decisions by unanimous agreement (consensus). In case of deadlock use a 75% majority voting mechanism. (See Operating Agreement Article II Section 2.5 Consensus Policy/Voting) Prepare and facilitate all meetings to insure maximum effectiveness and responsiveness to all Member Households' and Individual Members' points of view.
10. Structure Engage the services of South Mountain Co., Inc. to provide development consulting, design, and construction services as required by the Community.
11. Management Utilize a careful mix of participatory group decision-making and delegated responsibility. Delegate responsibility and authority to skilled trustworthy people and provide minimal, timely and thoughtful oversight.
12. Model Create an exemplary housing model for others to emulate: a sensible and sustainable approach to housing for a small island community and a restorative future.
13. Responsibility Place responsibility on the Individual Members to value the interest of the group as a whole as well as the Individual Members' interest.