Cohousing-L Mailing List: Joining the National

[Juniperjojo (Juniperjojo]

In a message dated 11/23/05 6:16:46 AM, cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org 
writes:


> 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.
> 

Tom,

That letter was undoubtedly a form letter, which goes to all cohousing 
associations. I don't think the Cohousing Association has the manpower to 
personalize all of its letters for the size of the group, and frankly, in most 
communities, $250 would be far less than $12/household. (In our community of 37 
households, a $12/household contribution would be $444/year. We pay the minimum 
suggested fee of $250.)

I can't speak for the Cohousing Association, but I am sure their fee 
structure is not meant to be punitive to fledgling or forming communities. It's 
intended for existing, functioning communities. Forming communities are 
different 
animals, and I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to get your $60 contribution 
($12/household).

Jenny Cook
Great Oak Cohousing
Ann Arbor, Michigan