RE: Marketing Cohousing Effectively
From: Rob Sandelin (floriferousmsn.com)
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 12:04:44 -0800 (PST)
Marketing to parents means looking at what kinds of facilities you provide
for children. At Sharingwood, early on we built a playset, prominently in
the commonhouse area, years before actually building the commonhouse in
order to attract families with children. I dare say it worked. If your group
provides childcare, childrens activities, child friendly food options at
potlucks. Then parents are going to feel this is a good place to raise kids.
If you group attitude is, heck with kids, let the parents deal with em, then
you will have a very different feel to families.  

I took a risk 14 years ago investing in Sharingwood as one of the only
members with kids. We did so because the founder, an elder, gave us a key
piece of wisdom. She said:" What this place becomes depends entirley on the
energies and visions of the people who come. If you put energy into making
this a childrens place, then children will be attracted here, and they will
bring their parents along with them." 

I think most people who live here, and who visit would say this is a very
child centered place. We have numerous kid and family events here, plus the
kids of course take over and own the outdoor spaces during the dry weather
times. At this very moment, there are 4 kids running around outside all with
santa hats on doing some kind of santa elf game. 

Good luck on your community endeavors, may your work bring you happiness

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood Community
Snohomish WA
56 adults, 39 kids.

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