Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Intentional Community seeks best legal entity

[Raines Cohen (rainesc]

This is exactly the type of issue addressed in Diana Leafe Christian's
first book,
"Creating a Life Together" (New Society Press):
http://www.creating-a-life-together.org/

While most cohousing groups have found nondiscriminatory legal
solutions for member recruitment and selection (and no, the rumor that
taking title to condos in cohousing neighborhoods includes enrollment
forms for the local UU church is definitely not true ;-) ), there are
different structures and options available when you are operating in
the framework of having a specific membership requirement like that.

Diana's book goes into some real-world comparisons of different
structures different groups have used, and some of the consequences...
i.e. with a structure like you're considering in order to acheive one
goal (control over membership), there may be different challenges
(inability for members to "cash out" and move on, lack of easy bank
financing) that would lead to a different kind of group
decision-making process as being optimal to get the kind of commitment
and unity of purpose necessary. None of these factors exist in a
vacuum - its worth some careful study of WHY different communities
have chosen different forms... and whether they would make the same
choices today, with the benefit of years/decades of experience
building and living in community together.

Raines Cohen, Cohousing Coach, Planning for Sustainable Communities
excited to be meeting with a forming senior cohousing group while in
the Research Triangle area this week and next, and visiting Eno
Commons. Next up: see if the new Footpath group is meeting while we're
around

Regional Organizer, Northern California Cohousing http://www.norcalcoho.org/
Reminding anyone interested in the East Bay / North Bay cohousing bus
tour organized by Coho/US that May 3 is coming up fast and these tours
often sell out. Register today!

Facilitator, East Bay Cohousing http://www.ebcoho.org/
Delighted to report that while this week's Cohousing Co. Berkeley
office slideshow is standing room only, they've added a new date in
May

Boardmember, Fellowship for Intentional Community http://ic.org/
Looking forward to being part of conversations about cohousing and
sustainable community and aging in community as part of the Art of
Community Southwest conference in Albuquerque May 30-June 2.
Early-bird registration discount ends April 20.