Membership in Montpelier Cohousing

Cohousing embodies a highly-effective self-selection process. If you come to meetings, get to know the people in a cohousing group, become involved in the hard work of designing a new community, and then still want to live in it, odds are you will be happy, and the group will be happy with you!

Therefore Montpelier Cohousing has no specific requirements for membership. In this regard we are following the example of the vast majority of successful cohousing communities that have already been established.

Associate Membership

After attending a at least two meetings of Montpelier Cohousing, you become eligible for an Associate Membership. This membership costs $100 per year per household. Associate membership requires that you become familiar with the cohousing concept and with some of the basic policies and documents of Montpelier Cohousing LLC. Associate Membership entitles you to participate in all meetings and workgroups, to propose and consider policies, to facilitate meetings — but not to block consensus decisions.

Equity Membership

After participating as an Associate Member for at least six weeks, you may choose to become an Equity Member. This is an important decision that involves a financial commitment and demonstrates determination to live in the cohousing community. At present an Equity Membership costs $2,000 per household. Equity Members have all the rights of Associate Members, of course, and they are also entitled to block consensus decisions. More important, Equity Members are entitled to buy homes in the community. Priority in selecting homes is determined by the date of Equity Membership.

Click here to read a more detailed description of the levels of membership.