Cohousing-L Mailing List: Mtn.Village/Fiscal Sponsor/Insurance/MySpace

[Ann O'Quinn (oquinn_homestead]

    Raines wrote: Nathan's group is the same as Ann O'Quinn's, which she posted 
earlier 
in the thread.  From what I read there, they are not far from Nevada City 
(CA)... 
   
  Ann responds: No.  This is incorrect, Raines.  Unfortunately, I made my first 
posting to this list with the very same subject line as Nathan did... "Forming 
Group, need advice", which may have lead to the confusion.  How'bout we call my 
string "Mtn.Village/Fiscal Sponsor/Insurance/MySpace"...maybe that's too 
long....I'll try it in this subject line of this posting but I guess if anyone 
is trying to find my original posting they would need to look at the "Forming 
Group, need advice" strings
   
  Raines ~
  Thanks for the encouragement and for the verifying some of the information I 
had already begun to formulate in my mind in regards to LLC and non-profit 
status.
   
  The reason I asked this question about finding a non-profit fiascal agent is 
that we are indeed looking to raise big money for certain projects and services 
to benefit the local community (and beyond).  Our current vision, which will 
continue to morph as new members join in on the development of this project, is 
a combination of sorts.....small cohousing village with retreat rooms available 
for families visiting nearby parents in elder home care (and other 
visitors).....affordable housing....community gardens.....free vegetable 
delivery.....litter pick up...solstice work parties....free tea room.....these 
are all ideas swirling, but being a fundraiser by profession, I am always 
looking for how to incorporate all of the right elements to appeal to donors 
and investors while meeting needs in the greater community.....the important 
thing at this point, is that I due all of the research in setting this project 
up legally.....it is looking at this point (which is obviously
 still early) that we might want to consider forming an LLC for the cohousing 
part of this project and a non-profit for some of the other services we hoping 
to provide to the community.  
   
  I appreciate your words of caution around the affordable housing exepmtion 
laws...in fact I have already reached out to Habitat for Humanity in my 
research role so it is intersting that you mention them.
   
  Glad to hear that you have visited our My Space page.  I do not see the 
mispelling that you refer to.  Our profile name is "O'Quinn / Mtn. Village".  
Can you please guide me further so I can find the mispelling you saw?
   
  The zoning is single family residential, but we can subdivide once, and we 
are currently completing a Special Use Permit for the retreat center and public 
events.  There may be nearby neighbors who want their land or pieces of their 
land to be part of this project too.
   
  Thanks also for the good advice (and actual estimated figures!) on the 
insurance question.  Very helpful!
  
Raines wrote:
  I'm sure others on the list would love to know more about your 
project, the vision for it, who's involved, your location...
   
  Ann responds: I plan to but want to be respectful of this venue and plan to 
make an announcement when some of these rough edges smooth out the shape of 
this project "firms up" a bit.
   
  Raines wrote:
   and what 
makes it cohousing? 
   
  Ann responds: well.....the vision is for a few households on our 4.5 acre 
piece of property with a log home lodge type common house....so far it seems 
that "cohousing" is the right definition but I am still learning about all of 
the types of communities
   
  Raines wrote:While I'm delighted to see you link to the Coho/ 
US website with definitions of cohousing, it's not clear from the 
rest of your site how that relates to what you have now and where 
you're going with it.
   
  Ann responds: yes....this sight started out as the O'Quinn My Space page and 
is transforming into Mountain Village.....since we are the first family in this 
project, I am providing as much info about us and our surrounding community 
there for anyone who might be seriously considering Mountain Village as a 
lifestyle.  Work in progress...