Free Housing Co-op Webinar Series

[Emmy]

CMBA is hosting a free Co-op Month Housing Webinar Series – October 2025

Join us and celebrate Co-op Month this October by exploring how housing co-ops strengthen communities across Maine. This free three-part webinar series brings together co-op leaders, developers, and members to share strategies, stories, and visions for the future.

Session Lineup:

• Housing Co-op Startups: From idea to reality – October 8, 11am
• A practical walk-through of the co-op journey, from organizing to incorporation to move-in day. Hear directly from experienced co-op housing developers and members about common challenges and proven strategies. This session will give you the tools and inspiration to take the next step.
• Moderator: Shannon Fuller (Raise-Op Housing Co-op)
• Panelists: Liz Trice (Maine Cooperative Development Partners and Backyard ADUs), Margaret Jones (Mountainside Community Cooperative and ROC Association New England), Thumbs (Collaborative Living Maine)
• Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ipmmJvInQPaYGg--Qp0CoQ#/registration
• Maintaining & Growing Existing Housing Co-ops – October 22, 11am
• This session dives into strategies for keeping co-ops strong and sustainable: decision-making, financial management, upkeep, growth strategies, and member engagement. Learn about what works, what to avoid, and how to position your co-op for long-term success. 
• Moderator: Chris Linder (Cooperative Fund of the Northeast)
• Panelists: Craig Saddlemire (Raise-Op Housing Cooperative), Pat Schwebler (Cooperative Development Institute), Julian Rowand (Maine Initiatives)
• Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z33AhNaVSsSi5tijFLumbQ#/registration
• Inspiring Stories And Impact: Housing Co-Ops And Beyond – October 29, 11am
  
• Join this session to discover inspiring stories of housing co-ops overcoming challenges, building resilient communities, and shaping local economies. This session zooms out to explore how co-ops fit into the broader landscape of affordable housing and solidarity economy movements. 
• Moderator: Ann Gass (Maine Shared Equity Housing Network)
• Panelists: Nora Gosselin (Cooperative Development Institute), Ethan Miller (Land in Common), Mathew Thall (Massachusetts Association of Housing Cooperatives)
• Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-_cCe2WbTnWldf-qzawVgA#/registration

We hope you can join the three panel discussion to learn more about housing co-ops; how to get them started, how to maintain and grow them, and how they play a significant role in affordable housing strategies and in the broader ecosystem of cooperatives.

If you have the ability to share the series with your co-ops or fellow cooperators on social media, please use the following liinks:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyAk_KjHX_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
FB: https://www.facebook.com/cooperativemaine/posts/1227448712748060
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7376307533059325952

Additional links:
Webinar Series Landing page: https://maine.coop/co-op-month-webinar-series-2025/
General Co-op Month Resources: https://maine.coop/coopmonth/

Emmy Andersson

Cooperative Maine Business Alliance Network Coordinator

eande...@cdi.coop, em...@maine.coop

Pronouns: She, Her, They

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