Rooted in Belonging

By CohoUS Executive Director Trish Becker

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Colorado, the aspen trees offer a natural analogy for community and interconnectedness. These trees, often found in groves, share a vast root system that binds them together, enabling them to thrive collectively. In this newsletter, we draw inspiration from the aspen groves to explore the significance of mutual support and collective strength in the cohousing movement.

This month, we are proud to announce our revamped and reimagined Membership Program. Formerly known as Partnerships, our Membership Program better reflects the dynamic and enriching experience we offer. In 2024, enjoy an array of enhanced benefits that will support your community journey, including an exclusive $100 discount for the 2024 National Cohousing Conference. As a member, you can connect with other communitarians and professionals at free events, further your education with discounted courses and access a variety of resources including workshop recordings, templates and consultation.

The aspen groves, our autumn metaphor for community, provide a fitting backdrop for the 2024 National Cohousing Conference themed “Rooted in Belonging.” Applications for speakers are now open and we seek sessions that align with the following themes:

Diversity, equity and justice in cohousing
Innovation in pursuit of affordability
Environmental Sustainability
Designing and fostering spaces of belonging
Practical skills for the life cycle of a community
Intergenerational connection & aging in community

Meanwhile, cohousing leaders are making waves of their own in myriad unique ways. CohoUS Association Supporter Caddis Collaborative will be offering a tour of Wild Sage Cohousing, in Boulder, CO as a part of the 2023 Rocky Mountain Natural Building Conference. Wild Sage residents focused on passive solar, low embodied energy materials, wise water usage, and community as the main sustainability strategies.

Nature reminds us that strength emerges when we work together, just as the aspens thrive because they are connected beneath the surface. Join our growing network of members, and support the growth of our movement.

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Join us this fall for a series of events and trainings on the topics most often requested by the cohousing community.

Partners remember to use your 2023 discount codes to apply your discount.

Non-partners consider becoming a partner for $150 to access upcoming programs as well as a library of over 200 on-demand recordings, learn more here.

If you have any questions about how to register for an event, apply for a scholarship, become a partner or set up your Cohousing Institute account please email [email protected].

Cohousing Advocacy: National Policy, Friday, October 6, 4-6pm MT
Demystifying Common Meals, Wednesday, October 11, 4-5pm MT
Sociocracy for Cohousers, Wednesdays, Oct 18 - Nov 8th, 5-7pm MT
Cohousing Advocacy: Local Policy, Friday, November 3rd, 4-6pm MT
Unpacking Cohousing: Lessons from Move-in, November 14th, 5-6pm MT

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Managing Participation in Community

Participation is one of the most important parts of community living, especially senior cohousing. It means engaging with your community around necessary work (like maintenance tasks), community meals, committees and decision-making, fun events like celebrations, and more. Being engaged with your community is the antidote to the isolation you might feel if you were living alone. It’s also a source of joy and fulfillment, giving purpose to your life and creating new friendships.

Learn more about it on our blog.

Oct. 10 — The Commons, a free monthly gathering for the cohousing curious

and experts, too; 10 a.m. Mountain Time; repeats on the 10th of each month; register here

Oct. 11 — Demystifying Common Meals; a session with Kathryn McCamant; 4 p.m. Mountain Time; $30 (free for Coho US partners); register here

Oct. 20 — Seniors in Cohousing Q&A, an informal facilitated conversation for those who are interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing; 10 a.m. Mountain Time; repeats on the 20th of each month; register here

Oct. 27 — Participation and Work in Community, from the Foundation for Intentional Community; a live 5-week course on Zoom with Laird Schaub; 10 a.m.–12 p.m Central Time, Fridays through Nov. 24; $99–$249 USD; register here

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The Commons

A (free) monthly gathering for the cohousing curious

(and experts too!)

Curious about cohousing but don’t know where to start? Want to meet with cohousing newbies and experts alike? This (free) monthly gathering will include a Cohousing 101 presentation and ample time to connect and ask questions. We’ll share cohousing lingo, best practices and more information on how to continue your cohousing journey. Join us once, or every time – we’ll be here every month on the 10^th at 10am MT.

Senior Cohousing Q&A

Want to learn more about what it's like to build, join, and participate in cohousing as you age? The Senior Cohousing Advocates Committee will be facilitating an informal conversation for those interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing. This (free) event will take place every month on the 20th at 10am MT.

Will you share your community stories with us?

Submit anecdotes, photos, videos and stories so that we can help tell the story of life in community.

SHARE YOUR STORY HERE

Cohousing is part of a more sustainable, democratic and connected future.

To date, CohoUS has helped enable the development of over 200 cohousing communities in the US. These communities serve as examples of the sustainable and community-based neighborhoods our country will need in the future. Please support CohoUS and help us double that number in the next few years.

Your monthly gift will both support new initiatives as well as the continued nurturing of our communities and growth of our movement. As an Evergreen Neighbor, you can take pride in creating a legacy that will live on to support future generations.

Donations, as a community or as an individual, are accepted year round and can be made to:

Cohousing Association of the US

3860 Chase St

Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

DONATE