Impromptu bagel brunch with friends of Bernie! Join our friends Don Schramm and Barbara Nolfi, co-founders of Burlington (Vermont) Cohousing East Village. 

Learn how this self-developed community marshalled diverse funding sources to create mixed-income resident-managed permanently-affordable homeownership with many green features baked in (and more added over time). Understand the trade-offs and partnerships that made it possible, and get inspired for how we can replicate their success. Hear about their community-organizing experience with Democratic Socialist Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders from his early days running for and becoming Mayor of Burlington, plus in turning their local phone company into a cooperative business.

$10 at the door; $5 suggested donation for EBCOHO Supporting Members. We'll have bagels and some interesting things to put on them; complementary potluck items also welcome.

About Burlington East Village Cohousing:

We're Vermont's only urban cohousing community. Construction of our new 32-home neighborhood was completed in October 2007. Located in Burlington, Vermont, a green, walkable city, our multi-cultural, multi-generational neighborhood is close to stores, recreation, places of employment, the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, and right next to Centennial Woods (a 68-acre nature preserve). Balancing community and privacy, each or our 32 homes is independent but shares extensive common spaces including a living room, kitchen for preparing shared meals, dining room with outdoor terrace, car-free courtyard, community gardens, barn, laundry room, and more.  

We are dedicated to: 

• Knowing our neighbors

• A balance of privacy and community

• A safe, supportive environment

• Environmentally-friendly living

• Lifelong learning

• Integration with surrounding neighborhoods and the greater Burlington community

Community values include:

• We participate in the urban advantages of living in Burlington – cultural, pedestrian, biking, shared car trips, public transit.

• We support commitment, innovation and personal courage.

• We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of all.

• We encourage the development of leadership and group facilitation skills.

• We promote involvement with the larger community.

• We practice self-governance with a modified consensus decision-making process.

• We provide regular common meals which include food grown from our own lands.

• We gather frequently for mutual appreciation and celebrations.

• We are committed to non-violent communication and conflict resolution.  

Learn more at http://www.bcoho.org/

 (and yes, we like it that our websites are just one letter apart)