The community here is run in a very inclusive and democratic if not most organized way. There is a monthly community meeting where business is discussed. I’ve now been to two of these. The community is made up of about 300 people, about 60 different family units – but it seems that there are about 4 large clans – think dozens of uncles and cousins.
The meeting is loosely scheduled to begin at 9 – so roll is taken starting at 9:30 to ensure that a quorum is represented. People continue to wander in and then the agenda items begin. Nothing is written down. They speak in a mixture of Spanish and Kichwa. People get up at different times (some people are impossible to hear) to make their thoughts known – only about 50% of the time does it seem that there is a conclusion of any type reached before they move to the next order of business. One of which was the official approval of me & volunteer English teachers to follow – that our house be complete and we be provided with basic foods – like oil, rice, bananas, salt, and eggs. Other items are luxuries and we take care of ourselves.
After 6.5 hours melting on a wooden bench (thank goodness they have new benches with backs – they are brand new) – in the hall with a hot metal roof, understanding very little, and getting bitten, no breaks – they reach an agenda item full of tension and controversy – management changes at the lodge. At that point, the president declares that we actually don’t have a quorum and the meeting is null and void and a new meeting will need to be held and all of the 6.5 hours of business will need to be re-addressed at that time.
Lovely. Can’t wait to do it all over again.
The meeting is loosely scheduled to begin at 9 – so roll is taken starting at 9:30 to ensure that a quorum is represented. People continue to wander in and then the agenda items begin. Nothing is written down. They speak in a mixture of Spanish and Kichwa. People get up at different times (some people are impossible to hear) to make their thoughts known – only about 50% of the time does it seem that there is a conclusion of any type reached before they move to the next order of business. One of which was the official approval of me & volunteer English teachers to follow – that our house be complete and we be provided with basic foods – like oil, rice, bananas, salt, and eggs. Other items are luxuries and we take care of ourselves.
After 6.5 hours melting on a wooden bench (thank goodness they have new benches with backs – they are brand new) – in the hall with a hot metal roof, understanding very little, and getting bitten, no breaks – they reach an agenda item full of tension and controversy – management changes at the lodge. At that point, the president declares that we actually don’t have a quorum and the meeting is null and void and a new meeting will need to be held and all of the 6.5 hours of business will need to be re-addressed at that time.
Lovely. Can’t wait to do it all over again.
Photo: My high-stepping through the central community area
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