Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Off-site members

[David G Adams (dadams]

David Mandel says
>       We're probably about to have our first off-site semi-member...

As Cornerstone split into a group that wants to live at the new Cornerstone 
site, and another group that doesn't, the folks in the "new site" subgroup 
started thinking about offering "common facilities only" memberships to 
those of us now on the outside.  It's an interesting possibility but raises 
many complications.

* To have full interest and rights in the common facilities, outside members 
probably should have to buy an equity stake in the common facilities, in 
addition to sharing in ongoing costs.   It doesn't seem fair to on-site 
owners to let anyone join by simply sharing in the ongoing costs, when the 
on-site members had to build the facilities in the first place.  How to 
price this equity stake is a big question.  It's sort of like an initiation 
fee in a club.  Should it be transferable?  Would there be a secondary 
market for transfering these memberships (Highly unlikely, IMHO)  Should the 
group have the option / be required to buy back fees from off-site members 
who have to / who choose to leave?

* If someone rents out a unit in a coho village, I would think that the 
lessees, not the owner, have the privileges associated with the common 
facilities (shared meals, rec room, gardens).  The owner, OTOH, would have 
blocking power on consensus decisions, since she / he has the long term 
interests of the group at heart.  The (now absentee) owner pays condo fees 
on behalf of his tenants.  He should have to pay additional fees to be an 
off-site member (but maybe not pay an equity fee?  Tough call.)

* Can N St folks help on this issue?  Y'all seem to have the most 
complicated relationships among owners / renters / members in the US.


Dave

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