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We welcome blog submittals of cohousing stories, reflections, celebrations and issues. Send them to us, or contact us to become a regular blogger here.

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New Marketing Ideas

Submitted by Sharon Villines on

By Sharon Villines, Takoma Village Cohousing

Carolyn Dyer of Iowa City Cohousing, still forming, posted their marketing plan to the Cohousing-L email list a week or two ago. I thought it contained many new ideas and asked her if I could share it here. She said yes so here it is. I particularly liked their use of speakers on related topics, field trips, and follow up on the effectiveness of their presentations and materials. It brings out people with similar interests to socialize who might not be interested in a pot-luck.

Cohousing Brochure Available for Download

Submitted by Alice Alexander on

Coho/US has created a tri-fold brochure available for download printing. Visit http://www.cohousing.org/brochure
The brochure provides an introduction and welcoming to cohousing. We encourage you to use as a recruiting tool for potential members, and an education tool for the general public. Let us know how you are using the brochure, and how it is helpful; other feedback welcome too at office [at] cohousing [dot] org

Communities Magazine: a Pathway to Community

Submitted by Alice Alexander on

Laird's Community Blog http://communityandconsensus.blogspot.com/

Laird Schaub continues to be an inspirational leader and exceptional advocate in building community and living cooperatively. I am one of his many fans who enjoy his blog posts, which Coho/US will occasionally feature. This blog highlights the Communities Magazine, published by FIC, which has benefited from Laird's leadership for over 20 years. I encourage interested folks to sign up via http://www.ic.org/community-bookstore/category/communities-magazine/comm... Laird's post provides an interesting history of his involvement and where the magazine is today.

Sharing Circles and Square Pegs

Submitted by Alice Alexander on

Laird's Community Blog http://communityandconsensus.blogspot.com/

With due respect to the ancient traditions which anthropologists inform us are the roots of Circle meetings—and which therefore testify to the vitality and resilience of that form—I want to raise questions about how far to take Circles in today's context....While I don't think Circle is the one ring to rule them all, and I don't know if the Circle will be unbroken, I think it fully deserves an honored place in the pantheon of format options for cooperative groups.

Only in Cohousing

Submitted by Sharon Villines on

By Sharon Villines

If I had an emergency at work and had to go to the hospital, there are 12 homes where my children could stay for 48 hours and be completely comfortable. A single mother by choice with two daughters, ages 3 and 6.

Single Mothers by Choice is an organization that provides information and support to women who are considering adopting or giving birth to children as a single parent. As part of this decision, women are encouraged to consider the financial and social requirements of single parenting.

Need group process help?

Submitted by catya on

Here's a new resource - Webinars by Laird Schaub, one of the three best trainers in group process/facilitation I've had the pleasure to work with. I can't attend due to the day job, but I'm looking forward to reviewing the recordings!

Here's his announcement, reposted with his permission:

Dear Catya,

Do you have burning questions about cooperative group dynamics? If so, I have something that may quench your thirst—all without leaving the comforts of home!

Architectural Review Policies: Plan-Implement-Measure

Submitted by Sharon Villines on

by Sharon Villines

Architectural review policies are generally hard to write, partly because we have very different housing experiences when we move into cohousing and partly because we have never had the experience of living in a place where people have been so diverse with so many ideas about what is desirable. The process involves understanding how to live in a jointly owned or managed community, the legal ramifications for the association, and shared aesthetic or not shared aesthetics. Policies often need to be educational. Policies are also interrelated—architectural review is affected by the conflict resolution process and the design process. If you begin thinking about architectural review as soon as you begin thinking about design It might avoid some hurdles later.

Regional Cohousing Conference - Boulder, CO Sept 26-28, 2014

Submitted by Alice Alexander on

2016 Update: There was a fabulous conference in 2014! Please consider attending our 2016 Cohousing Conference in Salt Lake City. Visit www.cohousing.org/2016aging

There will be a Regional Cohousing Conference in Boulder, Colorado, on the weekend of Sept 26-28, 2014. All cohousers, wanna-be cohousers and anyone else interested are invited. There will be topics of interest to both established cohousing communities, and those just starting out. More information visit http://www.cohousing.org/2014boulder

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