Frequently Asked Questions
We are a group of adults, singles and couples, who built a 6,000 sq. ft home on the edge of downtown Kamloops (20 minute walk to the city center). We describe our project as an ‘intentional community’. We share expenses and live co-dependently with a common kitchen, groceries, eating and living space and private bed/sitting rooms and bathrooms. We are structured as a provincially registered housing co-operative.
hen did you get started, and where are you in the process?
We had our initial conversation about the project in March, 2011. We completed our incorporation with the BC Corporate Registry as an ‘equity housing co-operative’ in January, 2012. We have been meeting bi-weekly and several times for longer planning retreats. We completed our construction and moved in Feb. 2014.
What motivated you to join the co-operative, and what do you hope to create?
We drafted a “Living on Purpose” document that we feel expresses our motivation,intention and purpose.
0ur purpose is three-fold:
1. To create more financial freedom and emotional enrichment by living interdependently, mindful of environmental responsibilities and sustainable practices in our
community living.
2. To create an inclusive environment that embraces our extended families and welcomes our friends.
3. To create sustainable practices which embody our values.
What is the layout of the house?
We have six private spaces for each member/member couple (about 400 sq.ft.); these private spaces include a large bedroom, private full bathroom, large closet, and small sitting area. There is a large open common space which includes kitchen, living room, pantry, and also other common spaces of laundry, storage, guest bathroom, exercise room, and a shared guest room/additional reading/media room.
How did you finance the property and construction?
We financed the project directly with our own investments, rather than seeking financing/mortgages. We are all owners and had sufficient equity to invest. The current share value is a $250,000 CAD investment per each of our six shares. We contribute to total house expenses equally at $440 per member per month (updated 2021).
What happens if a member wants to sell and move somewhere else or a member becomes seriously ill or dies?
The Co-operative Act of British Columbia and our registered co-operative rules describe the process and contingencies involved with the purchase, release, transfer and re-sale of membership shares in the co-operative by a member (or issues in regards to a member’s estate). The value of membership shares (for purchase and sale) is determined by the co-operative and is based on the equity of the co-operative.
How do you communicate and make decisions?
There are two levels involved in the answer to this question. On a day-to-day basis, we have developed together a modified ‘circles practice’ for communication, conflict resolution, and listening. We make decisions by consensus (we have described our consensus decision making process on our blog). On an official basis as a registered co-operative, we meet together as needed as a board of directors and also for general membership meetings; we follow the practices described in our co-operative rules and in the Co-operative Act of British Columbia.
What other documents and practices/policies have you developed?
We have our set of rules and memorandum as a registered equity housing co-operative in BC. We have also drafted our ‘RareBirds Flight Manual’- our guiding policy and procedures manual that contains the following sections: decision making, conflict resolution, house meetings, household chores/work schedules, environmental living/sustainable practices, food, cooking, meal planning, food purchasing, household pets, finances, budgeting and fees, vehicle sharing, community outreach, house guests, community social life, and estate planning. This is an evolving and emerging set of policies.
We had our initial conversation about the project in March, 2011. We completed our incorporation with the BC Corporate Registry as an ‘equity housing co-operative’ in January, 2012. We have been meeting bi-weekly and several times for longer planning retreats. We completed our construction and moved in Feb. 2014.
What motivated you to join the co-operative, and what do you hope to create?
We drafted a “Living on Purpose” document that we feel expresses our motivation,intention and purpose.
0ur purpose is three-fold:
1. To create more financial freedom and emotional enrichment by living interdependently, mindful of environmental responsibilities and sustainable practices in our
community living.
2. To create an inclusive environment that embraces our extended families and welcomes our friends.
3. To create sustainable practices which embody our values.
What is the layout of the house?
We have six private spaces for each member/member couple (about 400 sq.ft.); these private spaces include a large bedroom, private full bathroom, large closet, and small sitting area. There is a large open common space which includes kitchen, living room, pantry, and also other common spaces of laundry, storage, guest bathroom, exercise room, and a shared guest room/additional reading/media room.
How did you finance the property and construction?
We financed the project directly with our own investments, rather than seeking financing/mortgages. We are all owners and had sufficient equity to invest. The current share value is a $250,000 CAD investment per each of our six shares. We contribute to total house expenses equally at $440 per member per month (updated 2021).
What happens if a member wants to sell and move somewhere else or a member becomes seriously ill or dies?
The Co-operative Act of British Columbia and our registered co-operative rules describe the process and contingencies involved with the purchase, release, transfer and re-sale of membership shares in the co-operative by a member (or issues in regards to a member’s estate). The value of membership shares (for purchase and sale) is determined by the co-operative and is based on the equity of the co-operative.
How do you communicate and make decisions?
There are two levels involved in the answer to this question. On a day-to-day basis, we have developed together a modified ‘circles practice’ for communication, conflict resolution, and listening. We make decisions by consensus (we have described our consensus decision making process on our blog). On an official basis as a registered co-operative, we meet together as needed as a board of directors and also for general membership meetings; we follow the practices described in our co-operative rules and in the Co-operative Act of British Columbia.
What other documents and practices/policies have you developed?
We have our set of rules and memorandum as a registered equity housing co-operative in BC. We have also drafted our ‘RareBirds Flight Manual’- our guiding policy and procedures manual that contains the following sections: decision making, conflict resolution, house meetings, household chores/work schedules, environmental living/sustainable practices, food, cooking, meal planning, food purchasing, household pets, finances, budgeting and fees, vehicle sharing, community outreach, house guests, community social life, and estate planning. This is an evolving and emerging set of policies.
Would you like to be one of our flock? Please contact us for more info how you can be involved with this innovative intentional community.
