Newest Resources

The impact of Direct Federal Loans to Student coops in the 60s-80s AND why we should lobby for more!

Session materials from “The impact of Direct Federal Loans to Student coops in the 60s-80s AND why we should lobby for more!” presented by Brian Donovan and Jared Katzman at NASCO Institute 2024. Brian and Jared presented research done for CCDC about co-ops that received funding through the College Housing Loan Fund, what they used the funds for, and make the case for lobbying in DC when the new administration is getting started.  We will discuss what we should request and sign up interested co-ops and members to make the trip in early 2025.

 

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PDF icon Slides - Direct Federal Loans to Student Co-ops.pdf
PDF icon Worksheet - Direct Federal Loans to Student Co-ops.pdf

Creating Neurodiverse Conscious Communities: Recognize and Respect Members Strengths and Differences

Session materials from “Creating Neurodiverse Conscious Communities: Recognize and Respect Members Strengths and Differences” presented by Alex Bailey at NASCO Institute 2024. 

This session will look at examples of how neurodiversity and unseen disabilities can affect participation and volunteer retention. We will explore ways to identify barriers to ongoing participation and how to approach accommodations with compassion and respect.

File: 
PDF icon Slides - Creating Neurodiverse Conscious Communities.pdf

Governing Big Coops Through Crisis

Session materials from “Governing Big Coops Through Crisis” presented by Bryan Pagán, President of the ICC and Cyn Macias-Gomez, President of the BSC at NASCO Institute 2024. Both the ICC and BSC Recently Encountered Crises.  The pandemic added fuel to the fire, but was not at the main issue at all.  In 2022 the ICC fired its Finance Director and the General Manager resigned after being censured by the board.  The BSC is on their third Executive Director in the last few years and has seen turnover in several important staff roles.

File: 
PDF icon Slides - Governing Big Coops Through Crisis.pdf

Organizing Across Movements

Session materials from “Organizing across Movements” presented by Camila Tapia-Guilliams at NASCO Institute 2024. 

Cooperatives are organized by community members collectively meeting their needs as mutual aid. They are rooted in a diverse history across movements for people power. While community organizing is foundational to many cooperatives’ history and practice, it is often an unspoken tactic or framework. 

When Boundaries Get Crossed: A Transformative Justice Approach to Consent Violations

Session materials from “When Boundaries Get Crossed: A Transformative Justice Approach to Consent Violations” presented by Fuzzy Shostak and Emma Daley at NASCO Institute 2024. Most co-ops strive to be places of care, community, and consensus, but even in co-ops, boundary crossings happen. How do we handle them in a way that prioritizes safety while treating everyone with fairness and respect? How can we create cultures where consent is so normal that major incidents are rare?

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PDF icon Slides - When Boundaries Get Crossed- A Transformative Justice Approach to Consent Violations.pdf

How NASCO has inspired European Student Housing Cooperators

Session materials from “How NASCO has inspired European Student Housing Cooperators” presented by Anke Schwittay and Jim Jones at NASCO Institute 2024. This workshop will introduced the Pan-European Student Cooperative Housing Network (PESCHA), which is an ecosystem of cooperatives in six European countries that aims to grow the number of student housing cooperatives. While some members (UK, Germany, Switzerland) have well-established coops, other members (Ireland, Hungary, Italy) are at the beginning of their coop journey.

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PDF icon How NASCO has inspired European Student Housing Cooperators.pdf

Large Student Housing Co-ops Roundtable

This handout contains discussion questions for the "Large Student Housing Co-ops Roundtable" held at NASCO Institute 2024. Big co-ops face unique issues. Can we look to other big co-ops for help? This session is designed to create conversations between the leadership of larger cooperatives to address common challenges while also building a stronger cooperative network. Meet co-op leaders from around the country, learn about our peer organizations, and have conversations in which participants brainstorm problem-solving suggestions for their neighbors.

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PDF icon Handout_ Large SHC Roundtable - Institute 2024.pdf

Mental Health Crises in Housing Cooperatives: A Consent and Context-Based Approach

Session materials from “Mental Health Crises in Housing Cooperatives: A Consent and Context-Based Approach” presented by James Gleespen at NASCO Institute 2024. Mental health crises are common in housing cooperatives, but it can be difficult to know how to respond. In addition, traditional teachings about how to respond to crises can conflict with principles we value, like consent, and can perpetuate oppressive harm. In this session, you’ll learn how to respond to mental health crises in your co-op in a way that prioritizes consent and protects the autonomy of the individual in crisis.

File: 
PDF icon Mental Health Crises in Housing Co-ops.pdf

Community and Affordability: Innovations in the Community Housing Movement

Session materials from “Community and Affordability: Innovations in the Community Housing Movement” presented by Sarah Wells at NASCO Institute 2024. Throughout the country, housing organizers and developers are coming together to reimagine and embrace forms of community housing that allow for everyday interaction while also preserving affordability. As we seek to become a more inclusive movement, affordability is a top strategy for achieving all kinds of diversity.

File: 
PDF icon Community and Affordability- Innovations in the Community Housing Movement.pdf