How to Join
Prospective new members need to spend time getting to know us and learning how our community works. As we are self-managed, we expect all members to participate in running the community. We conduct a criminal and credit check, but otherwise rely on a self-selection process, trusting prospective members to honestly assess whether community life is right for them.
Is Winslow Cohousing Right for You?
Our joining process is designed to help you become familiar with our community life and determine whether it’s a good fit for you. As you go through the joining process, take time to consider honestly whether what you see and experience is something you want to be a part of and contribute to. Each adult member of the household must complete the following steps within a year leading up to the signing of the Agreement of Sale of Winslow Cohousing Group (WCG) shares:
- Take a self-assessment questionnaire. Before requesting a tour, we encourage you to work through these questions, covering the key aspects of cohousing and community life, to reflect honestly on whether this way of living aligns with your needs and values.
- Take a community tour. We offer tours on Saturdays at 1:30 and Sundays at 4:00. Please email Lori at info@winslowcohousing.org to schedule a tour.
- Attend a community meal. Dinners are shared 2-3 times a week in the common house. Attending a meal is a great way to meet community members and to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of our community life.
- Attend a General Meeting. Our community meets monthly to discuss community issues, receive updates on cluster work, make community decisions by consensus, and strengthen community connection. General meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and last about three hours. You should plan to stay for the entire meeting. Childcare is usually available, but we need to know your needs in advance.
- Attend a cluster meeting. The work of the community is managed by the clusters. There are four clusters: Grounds, Common Facilities, Process and Communication, and Maintenance. Every adult member of WCG is required to participate in the work of a cluster. Clusters meet monthly.
- Participate in some work activity, such as helping with a community meal or taking part in a Grounds work party.
The Joining Pack
When you’re ready to seriously consider purchasing WCG shares and becoming a member, you’ll purchase the $125 Joining Pack. This pack includes our governing documents, rules and regulations, and an authorization form for the credit check. The cost of the Joining Pack is not refundable. After you’ve read the materials in the Joining Pack, you’ll meet with a member to make sure you understand our cooperative structure and members’ responsibilities, obligations, and rights.
The Clearness Meeting
We’ll then arrange a meeting with several community members. It’s a time to explore your questions and hear about life in the community firsthand. We call this a “clearness” meeting, designed to help you make a confident, informed decision about making your home here.
We also recommend that you read the book, Cohousing, a Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves by McCamant and Durrett.
Buying Shares in Winslow Cohousing
Becoming a member means buying shares in our housing cooperative, WCG. The Agreement of Sale is a 3-way contract between the buyer (you), the outgoing WCG member who is selling the shares, and WCG. The contract determines the price and terms for the sale of shares, which entitle you to a lease on the home you will live in.
The joining process must be completed before the community will consent to the sale of WCG shares to a prospective new member. After completion of the joining process, you will negotiate a price with the seller of the shares.
