Page 24 - Bulletin #67 - November 2020

tend to the needs of our most vulnerable community members (whether medical, mental
or due to age) are considering how to expand their capacity. And we are in the fortunate
position of having recently hired a professional Coordinator through the Caring
Community Circle to oversee the existing as well as expected rising number of persons
needing this kind of support. The most recent addition is the Volunteer Action Group,
especially formed to coordinate and respond to those needing help with food shopping,
picking up prescriptions, going to medical appointments, etc. Under this group we set-up
Neighborhood Reps who help the flow of communication to and from our various housing
clusters so that we can be aware of how each person is fairing during this time of self-
isolation and distancing. And, it must be noted that our Town Criers, making their rounds
to each neighborhood, keep everyone entertained by performing (at a safe distance)
current official information while sharing their signature message, ‘Let’s be infected by
Love!’

Our community holds governance lightly, yet respectfully, through collective
representation. When the impact of this pandemic became clearer the COVID Action
Group was formed, bringing together community members who lead membership-based
organizations or hold specific expertise, for weekly discussions and the forming of task
groups as needed. One of the initiatives is a COVID Tracking App designed to help us to
map the location of anyone within our community experiencing symptoms and to
monitor their recovery. Any concerns requiring more in-depth consideration are taken to
the Collaboration Circle, which is composed of representatives from a selection of major
community organisations. This valued group was formed approximately 4 years ago as
part of our Community Change Process, and holds the remit to oversee community-wide 24
topics and issues.

We believe that the COVID dictates of physical-distancing are understandable and
(temporarily) acceptable to the community, but social-distancing can feel a real
challenge, particularly while living in a community that normally guarantees lots of
personal contact. In response, we are embracing technology as a way of staying
connected. Everything from friendly chats, children’s education, group gatherings,
business meetings, and community meetings are being conducted online. Morning Taizé,
daily check-ins and meditations, weekly Zrunch and socials, and monthly Whole