Madison Community Cooperative

MCC helps its houses to recruit new members, maintain their homes, and manage their finances. To both MCC members and the larger co-op community MCC provides services including group advertising, a cooperative library, and financial and technical assistance for developing new houses and co-ops. MCC provides member education by sponsoring workshops in such areas as meeting facilitation, bicycle maintenance, and conflict resolution. MCC is a cooperative community of 11 households, most within 1/2 mile of the University of Wisconsin campus, ranging in size from 5 to 34 members. Each of our houses has a unique character, but all appreciate a diversity in members' backgrounds, occupations, and interests. We try to create a safe, supportive family & community atmosphere. Every house has a complete, inexpensive meal plan, usually vegetarian, which costs an average of $90/month and features home-cooked dinners prepared by house members.

Affordable room charges include utilities, laundry facilities, household supplies, local telephone, and funds for repairs and improvements. Charges vary by house, room size and whether you share a room (most are singles). Each member does their share of the chores, suited to their schedule and abilities: cleaning, cooking, gardening, bookkeeping, and so on. How to join a housing co-op Just call the house you're interested in and ask for the Membership Coordinator. They can tell you if there are openings; whether the house allows pets or smoking, serves omnivorous, vegetarian, or vegan meals, and arrange for you to tour the house and meet the folks. Often you'll be invited to share a meal. Every house has its own flavor and personality; you may want to visit several to find one that fits your style.

As an MCC member and a resident of your house, you take on your share of the chores: cooking, cleaning, house finances, or serving as house representative on an MCC committee; and are part of the group decision-making that takes place in house meetings. As a member of MCC, you have a voice in issues that affect all the houses, give your input to your house representative on the MCC Board of Directors, and take part in MCC General Membership Meetings. Join MCC and you join a national co-op community!

MCC members belong to NASCO (North American Students of Cooperation). American and Canadian co-opers sharing the skills and resources needed to run successful co-ops, and working to help new co-ops get started. NASCO's Institute--held every November in Ann Arbor, Michigan--has workshops, parties, caucuses and speakers. It is a chance to become an active part of the world co-op movement. Although NASCO is a student-oriented group, MCC's eleven houses are homes to both students and working people.