EBCOHO Members Welcome and Orientation: Cohousing Intro (S. Berkeley)

Cohousing, housing cooperatives, cohouseholding, communes and ecovillages - Intentional communities, transition towns, nonprofit affordable housing, senior "villages" -- What's the difference and why does it matter?

What's living one of these communities really like? Should I join an existing community or start my own? Where do I find openings? How do cooperative communities really work? Who's in charge? You'll get answers and links to a world of resources at our EBCOHO orientation.

Comments on a recent gathering:

Very informative and well-presented. Nice group of people, too (of course!).

Leslie Hassberg (http://www.ebcoho.org/members/13498229/) Great intro and overview of cohousing background and context. [...] I left inspired. Jeff French (http://www.ebcoho.org/members/9064675/) Great intro for anybody considering a cohousing lifestyle. Very thorough, lots of good advice. Raines is a wonderful host. Walter Feigenson (http://www.ebcoho.org/members/13122957/) Presentation so knowledgeable, yet relaxed. and to the very lovely people i met.

ginny (http://www.ebcoho.org/members/77157692/) Doors open at 5:45 for a little social time and set up; Program runs from 6:00 to 8:00. Light refreshments available, but dinner is not included.

Agenda usually includes: Member introductions and goals; overview of different types of intentional communities in the Bay Area; Q&A; how to use EBCOHO and other online resources, community-building game or exercise, and time for open sharing on your experience and interests. Betsy Morris, Cohousing Coach (http://www.cohousingcoaches.com/) and community developer, will facilitate.

The orientation fee of $20 per household helps cover ongoing EBCOHO expenses. Bring a friend and save up to $5 each; supporting members (and members of supporting groups) pay just $10. Your contribution is refunded if you become a supporting member on the spot. (Supporting members get our thanks, a free Cohousing book or Communities Magazine subscription or American Commune ticket and a free coaching session, plus discounts on many of our events).

If you RSVP for multiple people, MeetUp will tell you the price is per person, but relax... it's really just per household. You can pay at the door by cash, check, or credit card.

If you can't come out with us on a Wednesday evening -- fear not! Keep eye on the EBCOHO calendar (http://www.ebcoho.org/events/calendar/) for what's coming up, weekend orientations, socials, movies, and other ways to connect. we hope to see you soon.