Participation

Participation Committee

Chair: John, Brian or Duane

Our Constitution assigns the Vice President to Chair the Communications & Education Committee.  In 2011 we renamed this our Participation Committee because participation is the lifeblood of successful coops that serve members well.

Goals:

Raise awareness of the value cooperatives offer

The New Resident Booklet has been offered to the BOD for approval and comment.  (Attached to Policy page)

Under consideration are potential business agreements for internet purchase via the coop.  The thought is to provide internet to a community room in E-House as a pilot project to serve at most 20 people.  If it works we'll consider another in the Main House to serve at most 15 people.  Each computer will need its ID registered with the coop to access the network, so only those contributing to the network fund will access it.  This avoids raising rent for non-web users, and may permit allocation of extra bandwith rights to people who wish superior service without raising costs or jeopardizing service to those who merely check email from the house a couple times per week.

So far we haven't found a great deal to commit to.  A quote from Comcast is below.  Many details remain to be worked out.  Don't hold your breath.

Since roomates are able to share internet from personal subscriptions that so far offer better rates than offered businesses like MSC, and most importantly don't obligate MSC to continue a contract for 3+ years at whatever rate the service provider demands.  Contracting our members into financial servitude for a service not all members use is not something to risk.

Local Volunteer Opportunities:

Help Various Events, Our St.AnthonyPark Community in St.Paul, Planting Native Plants,

Some Links About Cooperative Housing

NAHC Coop Housing Bulletin

 Roles, Risks &Rewards - The 3Rs for Co-op Boards

Resident Retention Leaves No Room for Vacancy