Photo by Heather Nicole Benson
Firestarters!
There were updates on the Madison Community Cooperative (MCC) membership vote, re memberships of those 36 who used to live in the house, and moving forward with Sunday Work Parties at the site of the damaged in need of repair historical Lotherian House. It is located in a prime location along Lake Mendota in an area of downtown Madison. The last membership vote was on whether or not to sell the house to developers. The next vote will be on a proposal to start the clean up, work with city to fix repairs. That will happen at a general membership meeting at the end of this month. If the membership voted to not sell, would they not then vote yes to approve a proposal to start work on the repair? What was important to note at the-to-sell-vote 64 voted NO to the sale the mansion, 57, YES to sell, and 11 whom abstained. Those that rallied to keep the house did so with the help of MCC alumni and friends. Those that believe in cooperative principles can go with cheap housing. They also worked with good process and communication.
The current MCC decisions and the initial idea to sell came from the staff and current board officers. Someone reflected, MCC has become staff driven, not membership driven. Starting April 8th thru April 14th there are board elections being held. MCC is at a turning point.
The Lotherian members who have currently Class A status also discussed that they will apply toward Class B status as only 5 members found housing in the rest of MCC once the fire occurred last fall. Only 10% of all MCC memberships can be Class B in status.
There was a lot of optimism in the group, and it was an amazingly run meeting, with hand rising, stacks, and respectfully cooperative meeting running rules. Many have been working on fund raising while others are ready to get work on the house itself. But there is a deferring that happens, in how to access the building. Who has the key, I asked. Because the house almost was sold, it is not clear who is in control post-vote on who moves forward on the clean up.
Cheap Housing and community has worked well with Occupy Madison, Inc., as they continues to learn as they construct their affordable homes many of which will be using cooperatives spaces for bathrooms and kitchens and living rooms and work through issues with a walk the walk attitude, even if things get uncomfortable at times. Paving the way for people new to cooperative decision-making I hope is also something that happens with MCC. The meetings are bridging and so are those that understand and live cooperative principles.
We are fortunate to have such caring people that are open to change. Especially in a city where housing has gone mad and forgot about access for all, especially with housing.
Hands on: the logistics of fixing the house first steps, are multi-spooned approaches to funding as well as sweat equity and volunteering toward clean up, and lastly contracted work. If you are interested in Helping Friends of Lotherian, there will be Sunday Work Parties that start April 13th and go on till the work is done. Also, follow their vote results toward their proposal and wish MCC good luck as they re-configure. To help on the SUNDAYS WORK PARTIES Contact, Glyphia Doulas, glyphia.xo@gmail.com or at 608-886-7787
https://www.facebook.com/lothloriencoop
