Some coping advice from one ROC leader to another The pandemic arrived early in 2020, lingered over the summer, and now we’re back in the thick of it. I don’t know about you, but I thought we would … More »
ROC USA TA Providers' Blog
A time of transition, and new beginnings
It’s a Friday morning in June, and the ROC-NH team has worked from home for three months now. I miss my ROC teammates, and the way we organically problem-solve in the hallway, discussing the latest question posed by … More »
COVID-19 tragedy in Maine and #BetterTogetherFund
The global pandemic has been difficult for us all. Living and working in cooperative communities lends itself to the mutual aid and networks of support that are needed during challenging times. One of CDI’s Resident Owned Communities (ROCs) … More »
A house isn’t a car, so why depreciate it like one?
Working with owners and buyers of manufactured (mobile) homes, as we do here, means spending time countering myths and misconceptions left over from the bad old “trailer park” days. It doesn’t help when those misconceptions are spread by … More »
The lasting value of a legacy: remembering Dale Whitmore
I was saddened to hear recently of the loss of a great man, Dale Whitmore, President of Wardtown Cooperative in Freeport, Maine. Dale passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family, from complications from recent illnesses. When I reflect … More »
Don’t get stressed by tax preparation, get help
Free tax prep assistance is available for seniors and people with low incomes. April is right around the corner. It’s the start of spring, a time of blooming and renewal and, for the employees of the Internal Revenue … More »
Sponsorships for ROC Summit proves great way for businesses to give back
This year NeighborWorks® Montana held their third-annual ROC Summit for the nearly 30 residents from 10 ROCs in the state. While preparing for the Summit and planning the agenda, we decided to approach the vendors that the ROCs … More »
Finding a ‘truth nugget’ can defuse arguments
We all want to communicate in a direct, clear way. That can become difficult when we’re feeling verbally bullied. Bullying can come in the form of aggressive questions at a meeting, when sitting around the table at a … More »
Stigma, zoning are barriers to affordable homes
Manufactured (or mobile, as most people call them) homes represent the largest stock of unsubsidized affordable housing in the United States, with nearly 18 million Americans calling them home. Their modern amenities and affordable prices make them an … More »
Energy efficiency can equal big savings for ROCs
At a recent ROC training event in Massachusetts, I had the opportunity to talk energy efficiency with an engineer from New Ecology and a group of ROC leaders. Specifically, we had a conversation about LED lighting, variable-speed well … More »