Meet the RareBirds
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Mary Jordan
Mary is a single senior and retired counsellor, with 2 amazing daughters and 2 fabulous and delightful granddaughters. She is an extroverted woman who loves adventures, travel and people. She likes to live her life with some chutzpah and can thrive on new challenges. She is curious about interdependence in a culture that values independence and fears dependence. Living cooperatively, sharing resources, skills and time are part of a value system she embraces. Mary’s personal relationships as well as her work with individuals, families and organizations over the years has given her insights and awareness of the challenges inherent in fostering and maintaining strong relationship and community bonds. She believes strongly in the value of supportive friendships, inclusive communities and moving always toward the common good. She is fully committed to and excited about the home and intentional community the RareBirds have created. Together we have envisioned our home as a place where our friends and family will come together for good conversation, food, laughter and music. |
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Colleen Nielsen
Colleen is a relatively new member of the RareBirds Co-operative having just completed her first year. It’s been wonderful. She has a passion for health and wellness and is a lifelong learner and student, who loves helping others. She follows a whole food plant based lifestyle. Colleen feels blessed to have her wonderful family near; daughter Melissa, son Eric, daughter-in-law Sam and grand-daughter Sophie as well as step-daughters Kristina and Justin, and Charlotte and Troy with their 6 children, Jessica, Jasmine, Jenna, Joel, Justus and Jaxon! She enjoys spending time with friends and family, being in community, travelling and making music with her ukulele. She is one of the founding members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Kamloops and enjoys playing and being involved in organizing Festivals, Workshops and Kampuleles. She also loves to sing with Desert Sounds Acapella + . She’s enjoying her recent retirement and has spread her wings south as a Snowbird this winter. Colleen loves being part of the RareBirds community. |
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Bryce, Helen, Tor and Elsa Coombs
We were aware of the Rare Birds, being two houses down from our home, since moving to the neighborhood in 2016. But we did not expect their willingness to bring 2 adults, 2 pre-schoolers and 2 small dogs (now 1) into their community. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had from this small community, and tolerance of the occasional challenges presented by our families’ presence in the house. Bryce is a passionate hunter, skilled skier and playful father. I (Helen) enjoy playing the piano, singing and participating in the kids’ activities. We both enjoy backcountry hiking when we can and look forward to gardening in the summers: we have enjoyed backyard produce from our own yard for many years, and the kids enjoy harvesting the produce, sometimes prematurely! Tor and Elsa both enjoy preschool, Paw Patrol, skiing and hunting with their Dad. Tor particularly enjoys LEGO while Elsa favors painting. Although our presence here is driven by the demolition and rebuilding of our previous home, we are excited about being a part of this community for a few years to come. We are savoring the great food, conversation, laughter and music that is often heard here and sometimes wonder how we will ever leave! |
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Carolyn and Brian Hoessler
Carolyn discovered Rare Birds during a two-week work trip to Kamloops. Attracted by Rare Birds’ remarkable ethos of intentional balance of connection and personal space, Carolyn and Brian joined in 2022 as co-owners of a share, with their room rented long-term as they currently live in Saskatoon. Brian is founder and owner of Strong Roots Consulting, working with organizations and communities on evaluation and strategic planning to build the capacity to learn and grow. Carolyn is a facilitator, evaluator and curriculum developer working with national professional associations and institutions in higher education. Both are governance geeks, so it is fitting to have our photo be from a Rare Birds business meeting with its intentional decision-making. In their non-work time, they enjoy travelling and playing board and card games. |
Founding and Former RareBirds
Val MacKay-Greer – RareBird from 2011 to 2022
Allen Ciastko - RareBird from 2011 until passing (2016)
Val and Allen were founding members of the RareBirds. At our inaugural meeting in March 2011 they both emphatically stated; “Let’s do this”. We all responded enthusiastically and were on our way. They were an adventurous couple with strong values of giving back and helping others. As a pediatrician and a nursing instructor, they wound down successful careers with several years in volunteer service, in Nepal, Kenya and Lesotho. As RareBirds they brought a broad world view, curious minds, problem solving skills, a love of gardening and a collaborative way of being in the world.
Our community deeply grieved Allen’s passing in October 2016 following a stroke and a compromised recovery. We were grateful to have Val with us for 6 more years at which time she chose to relocate to Courtney to be closer to her family.
Dan and Robyn Hines – RareBirds from 2011 to 2021
Dan and Robyn are founding members of the RareBirds. From the inception Dan took a leadership role in the project management and process development throughout the building and integration of the community.
Robyn has offered her organizational skills to the smooth running of our home.
They have been at the heart of the RareBirds community. Their belief and values in creating a sustainable model for a co-operative intentional lifestyle as well as their broad professional and personal community networks have made them strong advocates for the ongoing success of our unique model of cooperative lifestyle.
Sandi Ceccon – A RareBird 2011 to 2017
As a founding member, Sandi was an integral part of the planning, designing and building of the home the RareBirds created. With a background in office management and bookkeeping she was instrumental in the financial systems we created. Sandi has a passion for cookbooks, good food and entertaining. Her Italian spaghetti with short ribs remains legendary. Whether it was in the garden, the kitchen or on the computer, Sandi contributed much to the inaugural success of The RareBirds Housing Co-op.
John Hull – A RareBird 2012 to 2016
John was the last of the founding members of the RareBirds Co-op, joining the team in the summer of 2012. As a teaching professor at TRU, John’s interest in sustainable lifestyles as well as his professional networks added new perspectives and enrichment to our community. Through John the RareBirds have developed connections, built awareness and relationships that continue to flourish bringing diversity to our community.
Twyla and Glen Burgoyne RareBirds 2012 to 2019
Twyla and Glen joined the community during its formation with a philanthropic motivation. They wanted to offer a supportive opportunity to someone experiencing transition of a challenging nature. By finding welcoming, enriching support in this community, the interested individual or couple could receive a solid foundation to enrich and refocus their life situation. Both Twyla & Glen offered their expertise, talents, keen interest and enthusiasm to the Birdhouse for seven years and the
RareBirds Housing Co-operative will be forever grateful for all the ways they so generously and passionately invested themselves and their resources.
Kitty Chavarie & Kevin Gillcash RareBirds 2016 to 2018
Kitty and Kevin joined the community after retiring, parting with their quaint, renovated home in downtown Kamloops and jumping into life as RareBirds. Sustainability, reducing their footprint, along with the richness of community life and shared goals attracted them to pursue this style of living. During their time in the community they shared their talents and interests: gardening, building, raw and healthy food creations, fishing and woodworking, welding and construction. There daily game of Scrabble at lunch inspired us all to be better wordsmiths. They relocated to join family in Victoria after their first grandchild was born May 2018.
Kathy Grieve and Ray Perreault RareBirds 2017 to 2019
Kathy and Ray joined the RareBirds from their home in Kamloops and had a strong interest in community life, sharing their year between the co-op and their home down south. During their time, Kathy contributed generously to the garden and to many aspects and projects around the home. Ray brought his many skills in repairs, property maintenance and knowledge in construction, helping us to complete our new front deck. Ray also filled the house with music and we loved his practice sessions by himself or with his ukulele group. They relocated to a newly built home in Kamloops.
Cheryl and David Belitisky RareBirds 2019
Cheryl and David joined the co-op from their home on Vancouver Island. They were attracted to the sustainable and ecological nature of the project. They are also avid outdoors people so the Kamloops region was a definite draw, as well. As keen master gardeners, they helped us to redevelop and improve our gardens and landscaping and were instrumental to revamp our drip irrigation system and compost practices. After some months here in 2019, they relocated to be closer to family.
Marcia Wilson RareBirds 2020 to 2021
Marcia has followed the RareBirds community since it's inception. With a keen interest in community development and healthy collaborative lifestyle practices, she joined the RareBirds following a career transition and becoming an empty nester. With her background in community organization and business management Marcia contributed to the organization and administrative aspects of the RareBirds Co-op. While the stars appeared to be aligned, the winds of change shifted once again. Following much reflection and consideration she reluctantly left community living. Her cheerful disposition and hearty laughter will be missed.
Val MacKay-Greer – RareBird from 2011 to 2022
Allen Ciastko - RareBird from 2011 until passing (2016)
Val and Allen were founding members of the RareBirds. At our inaugural meeting in March 2011 they both emphatically stated; “Let’s do this”. We all responded enthusiastically and were on our way. They were an adventurous couple with strong values of giving back and helping others. As a pediatrician and a nursing instructor, they wound down successful careers with several years in volunteer service, in Nepal, Kenya and Lesotho. As RareBirds they brought a broad world view, curious minds, problem solving skills, a love of gardening and a collaborative way of being in the world.
Our community deeply grieved Allen’s passing in October 2016 following a stroke and a compromised recovery. We were grateful to have Val with us for 6 more years at which time she chose to relocate to Courtney to be closer to her family.
Dan and Robyn Hines – RareBirds from 2011 to 2021
Dan and Robyn are founding members of the RareBirds. From the inception Dan took a leadership role in the project management and process development throughout the building and integration of the community.
Robyn has offered her organizational skills to the smooth running of our home.
They have been at the heart of the RareBirds community. Their belief and values in creating a sustainable model for a co-operative intentional lifestyle as well as their broad professional and personal community networks have made them strong advocates for the ongoing success of our unique model of cooperative lifestyle.
Sandi Ceccon – A RareBird 2011 to 2017
As a founding member, Sandi was an integral part of the planning, designing and building of the home the RareBirds created. With a background in office management and bookkeeping she was instrumental in the financial systems we created. Sandi has a passion for cookbooks, good food and entertaining. Her Italian spaghetti with short ribs remains legendary. Whether it was in the garden, the kitchen or on the computer, Sandi contributed much to the inaugural success of The RareBirds Housing Co-op.
John Hull – A RareBird 2012 to 2016
John was the last of the founding members of the RareBirds Co-op, joining the team in the summer of 2012. As a teaching professor at TRU, John’s interest in sustainable lifestyles as well as his professional networks added new perspectives and enrichment to our community. Through John the RareBirds have developed connections, built awareness and relationships that continue to flourish bringing diversity to our community.
Twyla and Glen Burgoyne RareBirds 2012 to 2019
Twyla and Glen joined the community during its formation with a philanthropic motivation. They wanted to offer a supportive opportunity to someone experiencing transition of a challenging nature. By finding welcoming, enriching support in this community, the interested individual or couple could receive a solid foundation to enrich and refocus their life situation. Both Twyla & Glen offered their expertise, talents, keen interest and enthusiasm to the Birdhouse for seven years and the
RareBirds Housing Co-operative will be forever grateful for all the ways they so generously and passionately invested themselves and their resources.
Kitty Chavarie & Kevin Gillcash RareBirds 2016 to 2018
Kitty and Kevin joined the community after retiring, parting with their quaint, renovated home in downtown Kamloops and jumping into life as RareBirds. Sustainability, reducing their footprint, along with the richness of community life and shared goals attracted them to pursue this style of living. During their time in the community they shared their talents and interests: gardening, building, raw and healthy food creations, fishing and woodworking, welding and construction. There daily game of Scrabble at lunch inspired us all to be better wordsmiths. They relocated to join family in Victoria after their first grandchild was born May 2018.
Kathy Grieve and Ray Perreault RareBirds 2017 to 2019
Kathy and Ray joined the RareBirds from their home in Kamloops and had a strong interest in community life, sharing their year between the co-op and their home down south. During their time, Kathy contributed generously to the garden and to many aspects and projects around the home. Ray brought his many skills in repairs, property maintenance and knowledge in construction, helping us to complete our new front deck. Ray also filled the house with music and we loved his practice sessions by himself or with his ukulele group. They relocated to a newly built home in Kamloops.
Cheryl and David Belitisky RareBirds 2019
Cheryl and David joined the co-op from their home on Vancouver Island. They were attracted to the sustainable and ecological nature of the project. They are also avid outdoors people so the Kamloops region was a definite draw, as well. As keen master gardeners, they helped us to redevelop and improve our gardens and landscaping and were instrumental to revamp our drip irrigation system and compost practices. After some months here in 2019, they relocated to be closer to family.
Marcia Wilson RareBirds 2020 to 2021
Marcia has followed the RareBirds community since it's inception. With a keen interest in community development and healthy collaborative lifestyle practices, she joined the RareBirds following a career transition and becoming an empty nester. With her background in community organization and business management Marcia contributed to the organization and administrative aspects of the RareBirds Co-op. While the stars appeared to be aligned, the winds of change shifted once again. Following much reflection and consideration she reluctantly left community living. Her cheerful disposition and hearty laughter will be missed.
