Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: out-of-state members <FWD>

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

I spent my first two years at Sharingwood involved with the recruitment 
committee.  My experience, which may not transfer to other groups, was 
that out of state people never amounted to anything.  Lots of people 
seem really jazzed about cohousing, but it is a large Commitment, and 
for people to actually make that commitment and be a part of the group 
they have to be around.  I know Winslow had some out of state folks who 
actually came through, and moved in. I have heard from Vashon, and 
Rosewind that out of state folks didn't actually come through as members.

At Sharingwood we allow anyone to buy in, from anywhere, but unit 
selection will be based on a minimum service commitment.  This way, out 
of state folks, (of which there are none yet), who put down option 
money but obviously can't contribute to the hundreds of hours of work 
required, will pick units after those who have put in the time and 
effort to make the project happen.

Sharingwood is different in that we own the land, have several resident 
members and are developing a second phase of homes.  We have a great 
deal of stability to work from. A small group, doing it all from 
scratch really needs every single individual to contribute during the 
development process.  If you are going to have out of state members it 
will take extra effort to communicate and to figure out what the out of 
towners can contribute.  They can be very useful and offer a lot.  If I 
were in a small group I would ask out of towners what they can offer 
the group, and then evaluate that carefully before accepting them as members.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood