Designing a Leadership Structure for a Park

There is always a tension in any non-profit or cooperative park. It has to do with leadership and decision-making. On one hand, everyone would prefer to have residents with as much control over their own destiny as possible.  With each bit of self-governance, residents get that much closer to enjoying the same privileges that people who own stick built houses are able to enjoy.

Yet at the same time, there are some issues that make that easier said than done.

In almost any park, there is likely to be a shortage of people who can adequately understand financing.  Mix that with cultures where men are expected to be the decision-makers, and it can lead to some problems.  No one wants a situation where people feel afraid to ask questions. 

It can make a difference to a lending institution if there are people involved who have had some real estate development experience.  A landlord, a local property owner…it does not have to be someone who has done tax credit deals.

It isn’t just as the point of acquisition, either.  There is also the nuts and bolts of running a park.  Someone has to collect the rents.  Someone has to enforce rules.

There are also the technical issues of running a park.  Not many people know how to operate a septic system.  Not everyone can adequately test a well. 

When these things work, they are a wonderful example of democratic action.