Let's talk resilience! That's what I'll be doing at the Regional Cohousing Conference this year and I hope you all are coming and want to dig in to that concept. What does it mean for our communities to be resilient: economically, ecologically and socially?

I sit here on the Pacific Coast of Mexico watching the sea awaken in the soft pastels of the changing morning light of sunrise. The waves, stirred by a night of winds from the north rise and fall, then crash into transformative white foam, obscuring the boulders that define our boundary between land and sea. It is a continuous rhythm that defines the pulse of the experience of this place.

It’s the first question newcomers ask when introduced to consensus (or consent) decision-making: What if you just can’t agree? My answer is usually, “That’s when the really good stuff happens!” It is too. It’s when we are pushed to be thoughtful, collaborative and creative and find solutions no one has thought of yet. Most of us have experienced that, but sadly most have us have also experienced gridlock. Whether we’re locking horns or passively standing our ground, we get stuck, feelings get hurt, process grinds to a halt and cohousing isn’t quite so wonderful anymore.

My favorite thing about attending conferences is the people that I meet. Don't get me wrong, the information gleaned while attending intensives and sessions is invaluable, but what I really love is the informal conversations with other conference attendees when waiting for the elevator or while sitting in the hotel lobby lounge. This is when you might hear about creative use of an old space, or of someone's challenges with community neighbors that might be similar to an experience you had just a few months ago in your own community, or perhaps you learn of a fun, unique tradition that you can take home to share and implement with your community.

Add your own reasons to this list at this April's Regional Cohousing Conference!

10. Get ideas for your community.
Whether you are a brand new community or you’ve been living together for decades, there is more to learn about how to thrive in community. At Conferences you will meet people who have solved the problems your community is currently facing and hear new ideas for green living, social engagement and community life.