How is Coho/US Doing?
April marks my one year serving as Executive Director of Coho/US. So how is the association doing? In a phrase, just fine, and getting better! Here’s a profile of Strategic Plan progress.
Stabilizing Revenue Stream – As we refine a business model for long term sustainability, we now enjoy a much stronger financial position than one year ago, including:
— Cohousing Community Support – 48 communities gave $13,113, a record, with an average of $247. Even better: more communities include Coho/US in their annual budget;
— National Conference Sponsorships – we are tremendously proud to be partnering with more cohousing professionals and communities than ever before.
Educating and inspiring through national and regional conferences
— The 2015 National Cohousing Conference will be our first since 2012. With a dynamite “Next Generation” program, we may attract over 400 participants, from as far away as Australia, China and South Korea.
— The Regional Cohousing Conference in Boulder (Sept 2014) – 90 folks attended from across the US and Canada.
Our spontaneous flavor allowed for abundant story sharing and organic issue discussion.
Serving as a connector for communities, resources, services, and events
— Our redesigned Coho/US website receives 3,000 page views daily, and provides a growing database of resources; forming communities report a surge in inquiries after profiling on the Cohousing Directory;
— Our Facebook page is fresh and enjoys 2,000 likes and growing; we have a new Conference Twitter feed .
Building a national cohousing community
— A growing rate of listings on the Cohousing Directory confirms increasing interest nationally;
— Collaborations strengthened with several aligned organizations: PFAC, CRN, FIC and SCA;
— A redesigned Cohousing Now! monthly eNews enjoys a subscription of 9,200;
— New Cohousing Blogs are on the rise with a growing authorship.
Elevating Cohousing to a Household name
— Media hits have doubled in the last year, including major outlets, such as the US News & World Report;
— Redesigned Cohousing Brochure and Slide Show serve as great resources;
— Presentations by cohousing professionals and veterans at over a dozen national conferences raised visibility.
Creating a cohousing-friendly social and political environment
— Housing and Urban Development now treats cohousing condominiums the same as all other condominiums for certifying for federally backed mortgage insurance;
— Collaboration with CRN aspires to increase understanding, credibility and viability of cohousing;
— Initiative launched with PFAC to increase access to financing and create affordable models
In partnership with amazing volunteers, and a network of cohousing “burning souls” and professionals, we will continue to strengthen and expand the impact of cohousing. I’d welcome comments and ideas: alicecohous@gmail.com
Category: CohoUS
Tags: Coho/US
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