Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Criteria for membership (was Screening backgrounds)

[Unnat (Zen]

As I'm not so familiar with the details of consraints etc in USA I'm
curious;

As special interest groups - ie cohousing/intentional criteria - don't
you have the right to set criteria for 'membership' based on clear
objectives?  That is, does House For Sale provide the criteria and
that's why the discrimmination thing arises?  OR are people invited to
become members of the association or other entity, the houses being a
vehicle towards enjoying membership.  eg, I can join a sports
association but I can't enjoy it to the fullest unless I obtain the
necessary gear; membership may give me access to equipment and suitable
venue.

Pinakarri is a not for profit, incorporated association with a
constitution, objectives, values etc.  People become members according
to criteria.  This is ideally a process of self-selection, ie why become
a member of something that doesn't ring your bells.  Our housing is
available to members of the association.  Not all members choose too
live in the community's houses.  We've always assumed that this is OK.

Hmmmm?!?!  I better go and do some homework on this stuff myself.
Thanks for raising the issues.

Regards
Robyn Williams
Pinakarri Community
Fremantle, Western Australia