Cohousing-L Mailing List: Joining the National

[Tom Hammer (thammer302]

We received a letter this month asking our group to join The Coho
Association of the US, renewing our membership as a Community Partner.
They suggested $12 per household or a minimum of $250.

I am very supportive of the organization, very much appreciate its resources
and the hard work of the volunteers and want to see it grow and prosper, but
I wonder about the pricing structure.

$250 per household is a lot for our 5 equity households.  I do not
understand the rationale for the requested fee and wonder if anyone can
explain why our fledgling community should pay $50 per household while
others pay as little as $12.  Our members may not be willing to pay,
especially given the apparent unfairness and our having to pinch every
dollar at this point when all of our funds are at risk.  I have been asked
by the group to inquire both about the fee structure so that they can make a
reasoned decision. 

It seems to me that the structure should be reversed, with completed
communities paying more than others, or at least a flat fee per household.
Such a structure would encourage newer, forming communities to join.
Thoughts, anyone?

Tom Hammer