The White Picket Fence

By CohoUS Executive Director Trish Becker

This past weekend, I found myself immersed in the rewarding but ironic task of painting the white picket fence outside of my home. The white picket fence is a symbol often used to represent the traditional American dream – privacy, individualism, exclusion. It’s a symbol I have used myself, when writing about the outdated ideal of isolated living, so the task felt especially misaligned. And yet, it reminded me of a crucial principle that cohousing embodies – sometimes, in order to bring about change, we must walk with one foot in the mainstream.

Just as I found myself painting a white picket fence, we, as advocates of cohousing, often find ourselves navigating the broader culture of individualism. The beauty of this paradox is that it reflects the very essence of cohousing: the art of balancing the desire for private homes with the essential need for human connection.

Cohousing is a movement that exists just at fringe of mainstream society, demonstrating a viable alternative to the traditional American dream. Our communities offer a blueprint for creating relationships, shared resources, and a more connected future. The white picket fence symbolizes what our society once prioritized, but cohousing communities are living examples of what we can become – a culture of genuine, supportive, and joyful coexistence.

This year, we're excited to introduce the CohoUS Membership 2024 Program, which offers a host of benefits, including free and discounted access to events and training, directory listings, and so much more. By becoming a member, you're not just joining CohoUS; you're embracing a movement that aims to shift the cultural paradigm, one community at a time.

In a world that often cherishes individualism and isolation, cohousing offers a powerful counter-narrative. Just as I held a paintbrush alongside a vision of change, cohousing communities paint a brighter future of connected living and collective well-being.

So, as we invite you to join us as members in 2024, remember that by doing so, you're not only embracing the many benefits of membership but also playing a vital role in transforming our cultural landscape.

Visit cohousing.org/membership to learn more about CohoUS Membership 2024, and together, let's continue to shape a future that harmonizes individual dreams with a thriving sense of community.

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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 cohousingassociationofus@gmail.com.

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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2024 membership registration is now open!

In 2024, enjoy an variety of enhanced benefits that will support your community journey, including an exclusive $100 discount for the 2024 National Cohousing Conference.

All 2024 CohoUS Memberships Include:

Free access to all online events
$100 off 2024 National Cohousing Conference in Denver, CO (for each member of your community)
25% off trainings and coaching through The Cohousing Institute
200+ recorded event sessions, sorted by event or topic
Highlighted Directory listing (available only to our members)
Support for the cohousing movement, CohoUS, and the many public services we offer

We have streamlined our system which means you do not have to wait for an invoice. Instead, you can pay directly through The Cohousing Institute platform by clicking the "Sign Up" link on our membership page. With your payment, you'll receive an invoice for your records and information on next steps to ensure you and your members can take full advantage of The Cohousing Institute platform.

If you have any questions, reach out to our Program Director Carolyn Pruitt at carolyn@cohous.org.

Senior community supports lifelong learning

Shepherd Village’s newsletter, the Shepherd Village Voice, ran the following article in its October 2023 issue. With their permission, we are reprinting it here as a great example of lifelong learning. Perhaps it will trigger ideas for how your community might tap into the knowledge and expertise of your members to present educational programs for all.

Stretching Our Minds with Lifelong Learning

by Village Voice staff

It’s October — and that means Shepherd Villagers are neck deep in the study of music, culture, foodways and more during the fall semester of Shepherd University’s Lifelong Learning Program, dedicated to offering stimulating academic courses and activities to folks like us — older adults.

Many villagers are again stretching their minds with classes in everything from medieval church history (those crazy Crusades!) to memoir writing to music. What’s more, several are again teaching and helping out with the program as advisory committee members, volunteer classroom assistants and, of course, by contributing financial support.

Read the full article here

Upcoming events

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

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

Nov. 14 — Unpacking Cohousing: Lessons From Move-in, 2–3 p.m. HT/4–5 p.m. PT/5–6 p.m. MT/6–7 p.m. CT/7–8 p.m. ET, $30. Instructor is Shelly Parks; session will feature members of Skagit Commons in Anacortes, WA;

Nov. 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 20^th of each month.

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