RE: Build it and they will come? | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Rob Sandelin (Exchange) (RobsanExchange.MICROSOFT.com) | |
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 17:33:39 -0600 |
One of the difficulties of "selling" cohousing before units are built and functioning, is that there is nothing concrete that people can experience. We invite folks to community dinner, and if past response is indicative, once they experience that, if they are going to be hooked, they are. Then of course all the filters begin to apply: Can I afford it, is this a good location, what about the schools, etc. I would imagine, without having something more concrete than plans, how would you know if this lifestyle change felt right? I think the notion that once people EXPERIENCE a flavor of community, they are attracted, and thus the notion, build it and they will come is true, but you don't really get to experience that until you've lived together for a year or so, then the abstract notion of community becomes reality. We have lots of people who are very attracted to our community, but the filters are too hard to get through. We are way far away, in terms of commutability from the major Urban scene, and its expensive to buy into Sharingwood. Our Rental units are gone before they are even built, but we have had no real bites on the big house or the lot currently for sale. Last year a couple of people who were somewhat skeptical about cohousing made a major life shift, by participating in some of the rituals of our community and getting hooked. One now lives with us, the other is forming their own group in a more urban location. I would encourage forming groups to create a weekly community meal, a potluck at least, in order to get a real sense of the flavor of the role of meals in community, and to set up real life, NOT A MEETING, community building adventures so people can experience what community means directly. If all your community experience is now is meetings, meetings and more meetings......YUCK!!!!!!! Run away....Run away..... :-} Spend time around a community meal just talking about where you grew up, the days news, what's happening at work, whatever. That's the hook that will grab those who thirst for community. And of course, be sure to invite prospects to the meals. Rob Sandelin Sharingwood > The Cohousing book says that for every one person that wants to plan a > cohousing community, there are ten who want to live in one. Have those > of > you who are now living in cohousing found this to be true? > > At Valley Oaks Village, we are five months away from completion and > there > are still seven units available. We have had a plateau of members for > about > a year. > > Any ideas would be useful. Thanks in advance for your comments. > > Glen Orcutt > Valley Oaks Village > Chico, CA >
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Build it and they will come? Glen Orcutt, January 17 1996
- RE: Build it and they will come? Rob Sandelin (Exchange), January 17 1996
- RE: Build it and they will come? Craig Ragland, January 18 1996
- Re: Build it and they will come? David L. Mandel, January 19 1996
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