CDC provides concise solution focused workshops that will give your group the skills, tools and/or products that you need. We can provide standard workshops or we can work with you to develop something that will meet the unique needs of your particular situation.

The following provides a sample of possible workshops:

Getting Started

This workshop will describe the elements that are required to make cohousing happen. You will be provided with some concrete steps to get your project started - bringing a group together, getting commitment, creating a common vision and exploring initial feasibility are some of the topics that will be discussed.

The Cohousing Development Process

This interactive workshop will provide an overview of the development process from the initial vision to move-in. Discussion topics will include: financing the development, including economic diversity, finding and selecting a site, design and zoning issues, building membership, working together, consensus decision making.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Have you been working at this for a while and don't know what to do next? This workshop will help you to understand the next steps that are required to move forward and make the project happen.

Community Building

Developing a cohousing community requires the ability to work together in a highly efficient and effective manner. Explore the elements that make up a "high performance team" and learn how these can be incorporated into your process to build membership and community.

Group Facilitation Basics

In a "group of all leaders" it is essential that everyone possess at least basic group facilitation skills. This workshop presents a detailed entry-level set of knowledge and skills that equip an individual to start gaining experience by doing. This is an interactive workshop using handouts, dialogue, instruction and small group exercises.

Meeting Techniques

Effective meetings are essential to a successful and timely cohousing process. This workshop will provide model documents and information on effective meeting techniques and proven methods for efficiently documenting decisions.

Developing Consensus

Some people claim that consensus decision making just doesn't work in the "real world". Scores of successful cohousing projects across North America have used consensus and proven its strength. Explore the meaning of consensus and look at what other cohousing groups have done to set up effective decision making techniques and protocol.

Outreach and Recruitment

What reduces risk, increases productivity, co-creativity and enjoyment? More members! Cohousing does not "market" in the same way as conventional housing. Here we offer proven methods from our pool of experience in advertising, outreach and recruitment on how to attract members and build commitment.

Conflict as Opportunity

This workshop explores techniques that focus on conflict as an opportunity for community building. This is a highly experiential workshop focused on developing practical skills.