Management of ElderSpirit Community

Day to day life at ElderSpirit is organized by the ElderSpirit Community Member Association and its committees and workgroups which have evolved to focus on various elements of the community. Each month the Member Association meets and decides issues before it. Most decisions related to community life are made by consensus where everyone’s opinion is encouraged and respected.

For all members to enjoy the benefit of community life, it is vital that everyone participates.

Committees of the ElderSpirit Member Association that support community life are the Coordinating Council, Mutual Support, Common Buildings Management, Common Meals,  Finance, Membership, Program, and Spiritual Life, as well as ad hoc committees and work groups for special projects. Members choose the committees they want to work with according to their skills and interests. After a brief transition time, new members are asked / expected to join a committee. Other jobs to choose from are helping to weed, mulch, help edit and disseminate the weekly bulletin, maintain our library, and participate in other standing committees, as well as special or ad hoc groups. Some of these tasks are listed on the page named Participation, which can be viewed here.  The Development Corporation created a Landscape Planning Committee, for which members may volunteer. They have shared information about proper mulching around trees;  two members are shown loading mulch, while three others are shown weeding and mulching around a Dogwood tree that was damaged by mowers and grass trimmers.

We all share the work that is necessary to maintain the life of the community. That way everyone is involved, but no-one overburdened.

Our Community has developed a process for resolving the difficulties that are bound to arise among people who are trying to live together. Members in conflict with other individuals should go directly to them. Resolution comes with openness and honesty on the part of both parties, and the outcome often leaves the parties with a stronger relationship and a lasting bond. To help with interpersonal conflicts that cannot be resolved by the affected individuals talking it out between themselves, we ask both parties to find a person or persons in whom both parties have trust and confidence. All the involved individuals would find a mutual time to meet to discuss the concern in an effort to resolve the problem. The use of conflict resolution is strictly voluntary but strongly encouraged.

If you may be interested in renting or owning a home, please follow this link to explore membership.

In addition to the Member Association, a second organization is involved in the management of ElderSpirit Community at Trailview in Abingdon, VA.

ElderSpirit Development Corporation (EDC), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1999 to own the land and build the community.  They own the real estate apart from the footprints of the owner-purchased homes. The corporation is responsible for collection of rents and owners' fees, and for using these funds for maintenance and repayment of construction loans. The corporation receives applications for the rental homes and verifies eligibility for qualified applicants, and has hired an off-site Property Manager to assist with these tasks.

STATEMENT FROM THE ELDERSPIRIT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:

The Elderspirit Development Corporation (EDC) owns the common property and rental housing of ElderSpirit Community.

The EDC Board oversees the management and maintenance of the physical facilities and real property of the ElderSpirit Community.

The EDC Board meets regularly to conduct the business of the Corporation.

The Board includes members of the Elderspirit Community as well as members of the local community.