By KIM CAPEN
ROC Association Director
PLYMOUTH, Mass. — The regional Cooperative Development Institute training at West Wood Village last weekend was a huge success, according to the 45 or so participants from nine cooperatives from that region.
Enthusiasm was evident as there was unanimous consensus that it was a great day of learning and sharing with like-minded Members of the resident-owned communities represented. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the workshops that gave participants an opportunity to share and to get to know that others are experiencing the same challenges — and learning how some have been successful at meeting those challenges.
It was a pleasure to meet and work with the dedicated Technical Assistance Providers of CDI who did a great job of organizing the event. Host West Wood Village Residents Association shared its community and facilities to make this event possible.
The opening session featured a message from ROC USA® President Paul Bradley, who introduced representatives from National Co-op Bank. Chris Goettke and Brittney Baldwin reviewed the new product that will provide the financing for individual homes in Massachusetts ROCs with better-than-typical rates. It’s a loan product that Paul Bradley has been working tirelessly for, and it’s now coming to fruition, with plans to expand it to other states after a successful test in Massachusetts. Great news for home sellers and buyers.
Great information was shared as was the case in all 6 of the breakout sessions, covering a range of topics like rules enforcement, conflict resolution, laws governing ROCs, community infrastructure, inclusion: building stronger communities, and community building strategies. Yours truly and Gary Faucher facilitated the workshop on community building and I spoke of what strategies my community, Medvil Cooperative in Goffstown N.H., has been able to employ with some success.
The day was so enjoyed by all that those in attendance were asking when the next one would be held. On a personal note, thanks for inviting me, I had a great day and I want to thank all those who participated from the ROC members to the great folks at CDI.
ROC on Massachusetts ROCs!
Contact Kim Capen at newengland@rocassociation.org
