Newest ROC Association Director greets newest ROC Members

CONCORD, N.H. — Kim Capen and Mike Bullard helped the members of Freedom Village Cooperative celebrate becoming the 179^th resident-owned community (ROC) to work with ROC USA during an event at Freedom Village’s community building Wednesday night.

Freedom Village became a ROC in the last days of 2015, and owners of the 109 homes in the community were gathering to sign membership documents, meet with TA provider Marcia Sprague from ROC-NH, talk with the property management firm the ROC has contracted, and learn about myROCUSA.org.

Capen, the ROC Association Director for the New England region, spoke to residents about the Association and his role, as well as his experiences at Medvil Cooperative in Goffstown, N.H., where he just wrapped up six years as Board President.

“It was great to be there because I know how much information there is to digest about a resident-owned community, especially when living in a cooperative is a new concept for people,” said Capen, who moved to Medvil shortly after the residents there purchased the community in 2006. “I think hearing from both the folks who helped with the purchase and someone who lives in an established, successful ROC is terrific.”

He and Bullard, the communications and marketing director for ROC USA, also shared information about myROCUSA and the discounts, training, and communication opportunities available at the online community center. Many members registered for the site at the event and were entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card to Ace Hardware — another cooperative business just like Freedom Village.

Capen will be on hand again Saturday for a second event at Freedom Village, where residents will once again be able to register for myROCUSA and win a second gift card. That event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the community center.