Life at Becketwood
"With sustained connections and continued conversations, participants in communities develop emotional bonds, intellectual pathways, enhanced linguistic abilities, and even a higher capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving."
-Wikipedia
The residents of the 210 units at Becketwood are truly Members of a vital and active community. The building itself is designed to foster community by providing many informal gathering places like the library, coffee shop, solarium, dining room, and even the laundry rooms.
The governance structure at Becketwood is a model of participatory democracy. Through the board of directors, numerous committees, the member activities council, and regular floor meetings, all Members can be involved in policy discussions and decisions.
The member activities council coordinates a wide array of activities that offers something for everyone. Thirteen different volunteer committees take responsibility for activities as varied as communications, wellness, environmental issues, programs, and recycling.
Community life at Becketwood extends beyond the gates to the neighboring community. Becketwood Members play an active role in the Longfellow neighborhood National Night Out celebration and host ice cream socials for neighborhood families. Becketwood Members also volunteer as tutors at local schools, serve as election judges at the local polling place, and work with others to "blast the buckthorn."
If authentic community lies in deep respect for and attentiveness to the needs of other people, Becketwood is indeed an authentic community.
