Post by lindaraymiller on Oct 5, 2011 11:09:09 GMT -6
Please respond with your thoughts! These are just the thoughts I have had after listening to many of you, and thinking hard about the options. I just want to get the discussion started.
I would propose that we consider Nashville CoHousing as an Umbrella Group. We would solicit donations from the membership at every meeting (suggested donation of $10 per month). These funds would purchase supplies for meetings, snacks, etc. for gatherings, and pay for rental of space should we need it.
The purpose - or mission - of the group would be to encourage the development of cohousing neighborhoods in the Nashville, Tennessee area. (including all of the excellent points raised in the Mission Statement proposed at the last general meeting.)
This group would meet once a month in a General Business meeting (although it might need to meet twice a month until it attains LLC or not-for-profit status.) There would be a structure that would satisfy LLC/Not-for-profit guidelines, and it would have its own bank account.
This group would sponsor monthly social events to which it would invite interested persons. At the beginning or end of the event, there would be CoHousing 101 presentation, so that folks who have already had the CoHousing 101 presentation did not need to be present. An opportunity would be provided for folks to sign up to visit with representatives of each community in formation.
This group would also sponsor occasional weekend-long workshops, handling registrations, logistics, and leadership for the event. It would do extensive marketing for each workshop. Participants in each workshop would be expected to pay the full amount that is determined to be necessary for the workshop, and the workshop fee would not count towards the purchase or a home (for workshops sponsored by Nashville CoHousing).
There would be no "Membership" dues, and members would include anyone who has been through the CoHousing 101 presentation. All persons who have been through the training would receive an weekly newsletter which will include information about communities currently in formation, as well as other items (i.e. NVC workshops, Green Building workshops, Sustainable Living events) in which they might be interested.
There will be an annual business meeting at which a Board of Directors (required by law for LLCs or Not-for-Profits) would be elected. However, all decision making will be done by consensus.
This group will not purchase land, or sign legal documents, or have anything to do with the actual construction or formation of each individual neighborhood, other than assisting with Marketing.
At this time, Nashville CoHousing would be entirely run by volunteers, with the leadership of the Board of Directors. There should be no reason to secure staff, unless the organization decides to increase the number of events or marketing tools.
Then, as property is identified and secured, persons will be invited to join a community which will form around that property. The individual communities may sponsor their own workshops (i.e. design workshops), set up their own membership requirements, and decide what monetary donation is necessary to become a member of that community. This community may decide to hire realtors, lawyers, architechts, builders, and any other staff necessary.
I would propose that we consider Nashville CoHousing as an Umbrella Group. We would solicit donations from the membership at every meeting (suggested donation of $10 per month). These funds would purchase supplies for meetings, snacks, etc. for gatherings, and pay for rental of space should we need it.
The purpose - or mission - of the group would be to encourage the development of cohousing neighborhoods in the Nashville, Tennessee area. (including all of the excellent points raised in the Mission Statement proposed at the last general meeting.)
This group would meet once a month in a General Business meeting (although it might need to meet twice a month until it attains LLC or not-for-profit status.) There would be a structure that would satisfy LLC/Not-for-profit guidelines, and it would have its own bank account.
This group would sponsor monthly social events to which it would invite interested persons. At the beginning or end of the event, there would be CoHousing 101 presentation, so that folks who have already had the CoHousing 101 presentation did not need to be present. An opportunity would be provided for folks to sign up to visit with representatives of each community in formation.
This group would also sponsor occasional weekend-long workshops, handling registrations, logistics, and leadership for the event. It would do extensive marketing for each workshop. Participants in each workshop would be expected to pay the full amount that is determined to be necessary for the workshop, and the workshop fee would not count towards the purchase or a home (for workshops sponsored by Nashville CoHousing).
There would be no "Membership" dues, and members would include anyone who has been through the CoHousing 101 presentation. All persons who have been through the training would receive an weekly newsletter which will include information about communities currently in formation, as well as other items (i.e. NVC workshops, Green Building workshops, Sustainable Living events) in which they might be interested.
There will be an annual business meeting at which a Board of Directors (required by law for LLCs or Not-for-Profits) would be elected. However, all decision making will be done by consensus.
This group will not purchase land, or sign legal documents, or have anything to do with the actual construction or formation of each individual neighborhood, other than assisting with Marketing.
At this time, Nashville CoHousing would be entirely run by volunteers, with the leadership of the Board of Directors. There should be no reason to secure staff, unless the organization decides to increase the number of events or marketing tools.
Then, as property is identified and secured, persons will be invited to join a community which will form around that property. The individual communities may sponsor their own workshops (i.e. design workshops), set up their own membership requirements, and decide what monetary donation is necessary to become a member of that community. This community may decide to hire realtors, lawyers, architechts, builders, and any other staff necessary.
