Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Waiting Lists

[Karen Scheer (karen]

> Our membership process is self selecting  so the decision to live  
> here is completely the prospective member's, but we want to make  
> sure that they do that with their eyes wide open,  at least as much  
> as possible.  Our policy is "If you like us, we probably will like  
> you."
> > 1) how do you handle a waiting list
> > 2) What requirements or suggestions do your have of people before  
> > they move
> > in
> > 3)  And what works for your group

Here in Ashland, Oregon, we are facing a change in our membership  
process.  In the past we've had months to get to know prospective  
members and they us.  Because we've needed a high level of  
participation from members we've limited membership to people who are  
able to attend regular meetings, primarily people who live locally.   
Now, as we are in the building phase, we anticipate that we may need  
to sell a few homes to people out of the area who may not be able to  
participate as consistently as we have been expecting from new  
members.  How did other communities get to know people from out of  
town who are interested in membership, during this period of  
transition before the community is built?  What kind of membership  
criteria or processes did you use to ensure that you found a good match?

-Karen Scheer