Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Umbrella groups

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

Stuart Staniford-Chen  asked:

I'm curious to get people's experience on umbrella groups.  How do you
start one?  What uses have they served?  How many queries do they handle?
How often do they meet?  How are they run, and what does it take to
organize and sustain one?

Well, the Puget Sound Cohousing Network is pretty low key.  It got 
started when I got asked to be the cohousing contact for our area.  I 
get about 150 inquiries a year to my phone message service and I send 
out a brochure which lists the local groups, etc.

We, the groups in the area, meet once a year.  I have gathered up some 
documents from groups to distribute, I gather and produce information 
to share, and talk with folks on the phone occasionally if I have the 
time and interest.

To organize and sustain what I do takes about 5 thank you's a year.  I 
ask for, and receive stamps from groups who are listed in the handout 
which covers most of the costs.  I don't do long distance call backs, 
but anyone who calls once, usually calls twice or more and eventually 
gets a hold of me.  I probably spend 2 or 3 hours a month or less on 
umbrella stuff, mostly directing information calls and tracking down 
resources for folks.  I also probably "donate" $50-70 a year in 
postage, phone costs etc.  I haven't held any "umbrella" meetings 
because no one has ever asked to have such a meeting except for the 
annual gathering.

So that's what I do

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood