Staffing Changes at NWCDC

Kristy Keely, NWCDC's book keeper and co-op development specialist, will be leaving the Center at the end of May to join Business Services Cooperative, a worker co-op providing book keeping and property management services. In addition to the vital tasks keeping the lights on and making sure staff logged their hours, Kristy also played a key role in the conversion of Dumpster Values.

Fred Medlicott, who has interned at NWCDC since January, will be stepping into the role of book keeper. Fred studies at The Evergreen State College. He brings a depth of knowledge about local food systems and will assist on projects along with book keeping work for Center.

Paul Bradley speaking during the Cooperative Development Foundation Issues Forum

Paul Bradley Inducted into

 Co-op Hall of Fame

Paul Bradley was formerly inducted into the Co-op Hall Fame in May. ROC NW and NWCDC staff were present at the CDF Hall of Fame Dinner to honor the founder of the Resident Owned Community Program. ROC USA, an outshoot of that program celebrats its 10th anniversary this year.

Resident Ownership secures affordable housing while also tapping into the previously undiscovered leadership potential of the residents. There are now 220 ROC's throughout the United States (14 in Washington).

Home Care Co-ops on the Rise in WA

NWCDC has been busy raising the profile of home care co-ops in Skagit and Islands Counties over the last couple of months. This month caregivers from South Whidbey Island will come together on Sunday, May 27th at the Freeland Library and on Wednesday, May 30th at the Bayview Senior Center. Partipants will discuss how a home care co-op can improve care for elders and improve wages for in-home caregivers.

There are currently three home care co-ops in Washington in Bellingham, Port Townsend, and Olympia.

NWCDC manages Northwest Homecare Cooperatives , a Facebook page dedicated to building awareness about home care cooperative in the Pacific Northwest.

Upper Lakeshore Homeowners Co-op Nearing Purchase

Upper Lakeshore Homeowners Cooperative is nearing the end of their purchase process to become a resident owned community. The Community, through a democratic process, approved their bylaws and community rules. The membership eagerly awaits the results of the property conditions report. The property conditions report will include a full review of the water and sewer systems, which will conclude what major repairs need to be done down the road. Three of the current board members received scholarships to attend the ROC Leadership Institute, a 3-day co-op leadership training in New Hampshire designed to strengthen the voices and skills of voluntary leaders from Resident Owned Communities.

Northlake Homeowners Engage the Co-op Principles

Northlake Homeowners Cooperative held their annual meeting in April and elected 2 new board members ( Co-op Principle 2--Democratic Member Control). 

The community prepares to break ground on repaving the roads and rebuilding electrical poles ( Principle 3--Member Economic Participation). A key part of ROC involves upgrading the quality of the communities to meet the needs of the residents ( Principle 7--Concern for Community).

The Co-op also made a big decision to switch property management companies and is now officially working with the Olympia-based Business Services Co-op. As mentioned earlier in this issue, BSC is a worker-owned cooperative providing bookkeeping and other business services ( Principle 6--Cooperation Among Cooperatives).

Help us provide technical assistance to co-ops!

You don't have to wait for the end of the year to support our programs! You can provide a tax deductible one-time donation or monthly sustaining gift to help fund the work of co-op development !

You may earmark specific projects.