Steps for the Waiting List for Pioneer Valley
Cohousing Community
If you decide to get onto the waiting list, and want to begin to follow
these steps, contact Barb April at cohousingbarb@gmail.com. She
will be your contact person through the process.
1.Read the welcome package material
This includes basic information on our community and on consensus decision
making.
2. Arrange a community tour
Call John Porcino at 413 549-5448 to arrange a community tour to ask your
questions and to go over the basic dynamics of the community. He can also
arrange for you to come to a community meal.
2. Dated Letter
Send a dated letter to Barb April, 120 Pulpit Hill Rd #1, Amherst, MA 01002 to
announce your intentions to start the process for community membership.
3. Arrange a Buddy
Membership committee will find someone in the community who will be a
“buddy” for social and community purposes. This will give you someone to call,
hang out with at meetings, and to ask questions about community life.
4.Attend a meal/ “Get to know you” Meeting
Arrange with Barb or John to come to one of our Monday/Wednesday
community dinners. You or your buddy announce at the opening circle of the
dinner that you will be available after the meal for a “Get to know you” meeting.
This meeting is an informal conversation. It may be attended by one to five or
more people, and may last from 15 to 45 minutes. The purpose is for community
people to begin to get to know you.
5. Attend at least one entire Full Circle Meeting
Attending a meeting is a good way to get to know how we work together. Since
we make decisions by Dynamic Governance, it is important to us that you
understand what that means and feels like. It is necessary that all adult members
of a household attend at least one meeting.
6. Orientation meeting
Membership Committee will provide you with written information on the
Dynamic Governance process and all of the agreements we have made over the
years that govern community life. After you have read these, contact Barb April
(cohousingbarb@gmail.com) and arrange a time to meet with a couple of
members of membership circle. They will go over this information with you, ask
you questions, and answer any questions you have. The purpose of this meeting is
to make sure that you know everything you can about our community: the way we
live, and what we expect from each other before you make any commitment.
7. Pay the refundable $500
This is to demonstrate real intention to buy a house if one comes available. It can
be refunded any time you no longer want to be on the list, and can be the deposit
on a house. Check should be made out to Robin Luberoff.
8. Sign a waiting list agreement
This is a page to the effect that you understand what we have told you about our
community, know what you are getting into, and have agree to it.
9. Acceptance into the Waiting List
Post a written request for acceptance into the waiting list on the agenda (on the
bulletin board) for a Full Circle Meeting after you have completed the above
steps. If any community member has concerns about your potential membership
they are supposed to talk directly with you, and/or talk with the Membership
Committee. Issues or concerns will be dealt with prior the Full Circle Meeting.
10.Welcome to Pioneer Valley Cohousing!
You will be officially welcomed at the first possible opportunity-a meeting or a
meal or both.
Although this may look long and complicated, people have found it to be fun and
a good way to get more involved with our community. If any part of this list
will be hard for you to do, just let us know and we will work something out. The
intent of it all is to make sure you know us and we know you so that you will be
happy here.
11. Available Home
If a home is for sale, you will be notified by email. If a member of the community
wants to buy the house, they have first option. Then their house would become
available and you would be notified by email once again.
For more information or to start the process of getting on the waiting list, email
info@cohousing.com or email Barb April at cohousingbarb@gmail.com