A Career in Creating Sustainable Communities

Jump-start Your Career Contributing to a More Sustainable Future!

By Jenny Godwin, CoHousing Solutions

Collaborative communities across the country need project managers and marketing assistance to help them realize their dreams. CoHousing Solutions’ 500 Communities Program is halfway through its first year training. This Program is intended for passionate entrepreneurs ready to devote themselves to the goal of building the next 500 communities while working collaboratively, supporting each other and making a decent living.

What will you role be in making this vision a reality? We’re recruiting for our next class!

This innovative, yearlong training is spearheaded by Katie McCamant of CoHousing Solutions, based in Nevada City, CA. Katie is one of the nation’s leading cohousing experts, having designed and developed dozens of communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, including the U.S.’s first built community: Muir Commons in Davis, CA. She and her husband, Chuck Durrett, introduced cohousing to North America with their book Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities (now in its 2nd edition).

Ready to learn more?

We invite those serious about the Program to register for our last webinar series of the year: Wednesday, June 1st at 4pm PT. Joining us for the call ensures you’ll have time to ask questions, and gain further insight into the skills we’re looking for in Trainees, as well as those you’ll gain during the Program. Register here to attend the webinar.

Is this Program for me?

We invite professionals from all walks of life to apply. Participants enter the Program with varied skills, from real estate development to marketing to community organizing – all learning the roles and skills to support creating new communities.

Typically, Program applicants can answer yes to these questions:

• You have an Entrepreneurial Spirit and “can do!” attitude
• You are a self-starter, since you will be initiating projects in your region
• You have another way to “pay the rent” while you build up interest and start a project
• You have excellent communication skills and patience
• You posses the ability to lead and to work collaboratively, joining strengths

Missed the webinar? Ready to apply to the Program?

If you missed our June 1st webinar, not to worry. We’ll have the recordings available to watch on our website soon after the call. After you’ve familiarized yourself with the Program, send your resume to je**********@*****************ns.com to receive the 2016 Program Application. We’ll be accepting applications through June 30th.

What are current trainees saying about their 500 Communities experience?

“Katie’s unmatched experience enables everyone to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that anyone attempting to develop cohousing will certainly encounter. Avoiding just one mistake will more than justify the cost and time spent on this Program. Knowing that I am now equipped to avoid many common cohousing unique risks, combined with my other real estate experience; makes me confident in my ability to deliver results for others as a cohousing development Project Manager.”

– TY ALBRIGHT (Dallas, TX) Little Red Hen LLC, Coho/US Board Member

“In my position as the federal Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman in Washington, DC, I learned the importance of inclusive, supportive communities as we age. I also know the fear of discrimination felt by many in the aging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

My exploration brought me to Katie and CoHousing Solutions. I’m not a developer, and partnering with Katie and the 500 Communities Program has allowed me to leverage Katie’s years of experience and for me to focus on my strengths in program development and project management. With Katie’s help, and the tools and vital information I’ve learned through participation in the 500 Communities Program, I look forward to building many inclusive, non-discriminatory, LGBT focused Cohousing inspired communities; incorporating Residential Care homes for seniors.”

– DAN SCHREINER (Washington, DC) Founder & CEO, eQuality Health Services, LLC