Cohousing-L Mailing List: Membership options

[Bette Grant (beeegrant]

Oakleigh Meadow Cohousing (OMC) in Eugene, Oregon is interested in 
hearing about creative membership options. OMC has been stalled in the 
court appeal process for 3 years due to neighbor opposition. This delay 
has taken a toll on our membership;  while once 23 out of 28 units were 
reserved, we are now down to a quarter of that.  While we are optimistic 
about clearing the final legal hurdle, this is at best a year away.  
Interested parties are unlikely to take the step to full membership - 
putting down 5% of their desired unit cost - until legal matters are 
resolved. But are there creative ways to get them hooked on becoming 
part of our community (if of course, it is right for them) and infusing 
some needed funds? Currently our first step is to pay $100/month to 
become an Associate member, a category you can "rest in" for up to 6 
months before making a decision to proceed to full membership, or 
not.     What other models exist in the cohousing world. Would love to 
hear about yours!