The Cooperator - A forum for ideas and information on cooperative living. Mark your calendar! By Angela Romeo, ROC-NH

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1 The Cooperator - A forum for ideas and information on cooperative living Winter 2009 Table of Contents Editorial: What s next? p 2 Leading the way p 3 - the scoop p 4 Welcome to the team A better home loan p 5 Breaking the mold Energy star rebate pp 6-7 Mark your calendar! ROC-NH s Co-ops Celebrating Community gathering is only four months away! On Saturday, May 1, all co-op residents are invited to come together with ROC-NH staff for a day-long event, celebrating co-op living. This come-one, come-all occasion will include great food and door prizes. Please plan to join us in Bedford for what promises to be a fun, memorable day! Breaking the mold Good idea! p 8 Ask Cathy p 9 Heat things up! p 10 Introducing S.A.M. p 11 Publication notes p 12 ROC-NH is a service mark of ROC USA, LLC Litchfield Landing Co-op (Left) Marie Luce works in her design studio. (Right) Marie beads one of her creations by hand. By Angela Romeo, ROC-NH The people living in resident-owned communities in New Hampshire have been leaders in changing perceptions of manufactured housing, not only here but across the country. So it shouldn t be surprising that they are also changing the image of who lives in manufactured housing. Marie Luce is one such person. (continued on page 6)

2 Craig W. Welch is the Community Loan Fund s Vice President of Housing Editorial What s NEXT? Community Loan Fund home loans! As an owner of a manufactured home, you may be aware of how difficult, or impossible, it is to get a loan to replace or improve your home, or to buy a different one. You may not be aware of how the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has been changing that. For years, people told us about the high interest rates they were charged when they bought their manufactured homes when they could even get a loan! So in 2002 we created Cooperative Home Loans to provide fair fixed-rate financing that was previously unavailable to thousands of homebuyers and homeowners. In seven years we ve lent $18 million to homeowners in New Hampshire s resident-owned communities. This program not only has helped hundreds of people buy homes, it has also changed the way lending institutions, from local banks to national mortgage giant Fannie Mae, lend on manufactured homes. Our success was recently recognized by the Opportunity Finance Network, which selected us for its prestigious Wachovia NEXT Award for Opportunity Finance. We are very proud to have been chosen for this honor, the highest available to the 700-plus community development financial institutions in the United States. What makes the NEXT award most exciting is that it comes with $5 million that we can use to provide more fixed-rate loans to New Hampshire families. ROC-NH staff asked Brenda Reynolds of Minquadale Village, a resident-owned community in New Castle, DE: Name: Don Woodward Exeter River MHP Cooperative Leading the Way If you had the opportunity to ask any question of homeowners who have lived in a resident-owned community for years, what would you ask? She responded, How do we get our members to realize that now we really own the park? There is no more He should do this, He should fix that we have to fix it. Complaining about the owner is complaining about us! Don Woodward volunteering for projects One way to let the membership know we own the park is to post requests for project volunteers in a common area, including the details of what needs to be done. It should also be stressed that if volunteers do not come forward, an additional employee may need to be hired. This can help residents understand that they can reduce the co-op s budget by volunteering for improvement projects and that if they don t volunteer and a professional is needed, they re going to pay for it in higher lot rents. The concept of rising rent will many times get the members attention. Vickie Negri a sense of community (Above) Julie Eades (Right) The Community Loan Fund is honored to have been selected for a Wachovia NEXT Award so that we can continue to create opportunity here in New Hampshire. While our Cooperative Home Loan program has been honored as the best of its kind in the country, we are always working to make it better. So if you have a home loan from the Community Loan Fund and want to share your experience working with us, good or bad, please call or write to me at cwelch@communityloanfund.org. Or, if you are looking to buy a new home, replace your home, or refinance your home, please call us at (800) Community Loan Fund President Julie Eades accepting the Wachovia NEXT award. Name: Vickie Negri Otarnic Pond Cooperative Name: Fran Masi Aberdeen West Cooperative It is hard for the community to realize we own the park if there is no sense of community. It is difficult to feel that sense of community when members only come together to vote for or against something. Our board has tried to gather folks together to get to know one another. We have had communitywide yard sales and cookouts. We also have a community newsletter with a column of resident interviews. Fran Masi ask members directly Not all members will take an active role in the operation of the park. Having said that, it is more important to keep the membership informed of the problems and challenges facing the board and committees. Only through communication can you impress upon the members their individual responsibilities to the park s daily operation and maintenance. Ask, ask, ask! Our experience has shown people are more likely to become involved in the community and realize the duties of all members if they are asked directly. Don t give up. Have patience. 2 3

3 News, tips & resources ROC-NH launches 5th annual Community Leadership Program Fifteen members of resident-owned communities from across New Hampshire joined ROC-NH and ROC-USA staff to kick off the 5th annual Community Leadership Program Oct. 23 at The Margate on Lake Winnipesaukee. During this two-day event, participants got to know one another and explored their personal leadership skills. This year s program was developed in collaboration with NeighborWorks America, a national non-profit dedicated to empowering resident leaders across the country. Over the course of the next five months, participants will learn communication and conflict resolution skills, tips for team-building and how to build stronger communities. Cooperatives must file Annual Report Did you know that as a corporation your cooperative must file an Annual Report with the NH Secretary of State each and every year? The fee for filing is $25. The consequences for not filing the report can be a loss of good standing as a corporation, or worse the Secretary of State has the power to dissolve the co-op! The Annual Report must be filed by April 1 with the Secretary of State or a late charge of $50 will be assessed. For answers to frequently asked questions regarding Annual Reports, go to: New Hampshire is an easy-to-remember phone number that connects callers, at no cost, to information about critical health and human services available in their communities. The top 10 call categories include home heating and rental payment assistance, welfare, homeless and legal services, food resources, and drug and alcohol treatment programs. 211 New Hampshire is sponsored by the United Ways of NH. the scoop - From left, back row, Bernie Russell, Minta L Ecuyer, Sherry Duchaine, Charlotte Yutzler, Ed Yutzler, Trish Murdoch, Nancy Cavanaugh, Bob Watson, James O Brien; front row, Amanda Saye, Mary Jane Anthony, Bonita Guertin, Pauline Lussier, Barbara Dorion; kneeling in front, Eppy Gray. Missing: Pat Montgomery. Are you eligible for an income tax refund? Get help filing your federal income taxes and perhaps receive a larger refund too! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program that provides free tax preparation assistance for folks who need help preparing their federal tax returns. There are more than two dozen approved VITA sites around the state where IRS certified volunteers will prepare and file your taxes, as well as determine whether you re eligible for special credits. Among the credits you might qualify for are the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly. These could mean a tax refund for you, maybe even a refund larger than the amount of income tax deducted from your paycheck. To learn more about VITA, special credits, and whether you qualify, call (800) or go online to Free tax preparation! If you re eligible for additional tax credits, that could mean a larger refund than the amount of income tax deducted from your paycheck. Welcome Cooperator Advisory Team We re always looking for ways to improve The Cooperator in ways that better meet the needs of our readers. So we have recruited help from the experts members of New Hampshire s resident-owned communities. The Cooperator Advisory Team will meet four times a year to review and critique the previous edition of The Cooperator as well as help plan upcoming issues. The members will also generate ideas for articles and new features, photographs, and even identify (or recruit) contributors living in resident-owned communities. Please join us in welcoming the following team Name: Nancy Barnaby Cocheco River Cooperative Dover Community involvement: Social and membership committees Welcome to the team From left, Ed Duncan, Exeter-Hampton Co-op; Lois Parris, Lakes Region MHP Co-op; Danny Dineen, Tamworth Pines Co-op; Nancy Lamoureux, Otarnic Pond Co-op; Don Woodward, Exeter River MHP Co-op; Kathy Davie, Lakes Region MHP Co-op; Leslie Hollinrake, Lilac Drive Co-op; Angela Romeo, ROC-NH staff; and in front, Nancy Hollinrake, Lilac Drive Co-op. Missing: Ellie DePerry and Herb Johnson. members: Ellie DePerry, Leslie and Nancy Hollinrake, Lilac Drive Co-op; Danny Dineen, Tamworth Pines Co-op; Kathy Davie and Lois Parris, Lakes Region MHP Co-op; Don Woodward, Exeter River MHP Co-op; Nancy Lamoureux, Otarnic Pond Co-op; Herb Johnson, Loon Estates Co-op; and Ed Duncan, Exeter-Hampton Co-op. But you don t have to be a member of the Cooperator Advisory Team to comment on, suggest improvements to, or suggest a story idea for The Cooperator. Contact Editor Angela Romeo anytime at cooperator@rocnh.org or (800) A better home loan peace of mind & stability Has lived in manufactured housing since: 1972 Age of home: Manufactured in 1962 Estimated money spent on rent: $75,000 Source of financing: Cooperative Home Loan Type of loan: Home equity loan, May 2009 Mortgage interest rate: 8.875% Mortgage term: 20 years The Cooperative Home Loan allowed me to: Renovate my entire home. I have updated the electrical system, installed a new roof, and insulated the walls, floors, and ceiling. I have new Energy Star appliances in the kitchen, new cabinets, and floors. I plan to install new skirting as well as a new Energy Star window in the kitchen to eliminate drafts. Benefits of improvements: I have reduced my monthly energy consumption by 25 percent and the home is much warmer! The Cooperative Home Loan worked for me because: I know and trust the Community Loan Fund I would not have been able to make these much-needed renovations without this loan. 4 5

4 Breaking the mold Energy Star rebate By Rick Minard, Community Loan Fund, Vice President for Policy and Programs Continued from the cover Marie, who lives in Litchfield Landing Cooperative, owns Sew Special, a fashion boutique in Tyngsboro, MA dedicated to promoting emerging talent in art and fashion, as well as her own unique designs and alterations. She opened her store last April after vowing that she was going to do what she loves by the time she turned 50. Marie makes one-of-a-kind women s fashions and does alterations. Her grandmother taught Marie to sew at age 5, making hems on handkerchiefs and doll clothes. She continued sewing as a hobby until 1986, when her sister-in-law faced a wedding dilemma: She had found beautiful bridesmaid dresses, but they weren t available in the right color. Marie said, I could make those for you! She sewed all the bridesmaid dresses for the wedding and one thing led to another. Word of mouth started going and before I knew it, I had customers and I was busy, says Marie. In 2009, she left her job selling computer software and began sewing full time. Marie has emerged both as an entrepreneur and as a fashion designer. She describes her latest line, Marie Luce Designs, as handmade, one-of-a-kind gowns made to inspire women and make them feel beautiful. It was featured in Boston Fashion Week in late September. Her work was also featured in iman Fashion Group s Fashion Evolution: Forever, a show that highlighted current fashions and futuristic views of fashion trends. (Above left) Marie Luce is all smiles at a fashion show this past September. (Above) Some of Marie s fashions waiting to be worn by models at the show. (Left) Models walk the runway wearing Marie s designs at Boston Fashion Week. Now, half a lifetime since she learned on her grandmother s knee, Marie is passing the skill on to her own granddaughter. To learn more about Marie, please contact her at (978) or visit her Web site: Marie is just one of many hidden talents within NH s 93 resident-owned communities. They re home to stone masons, carpenters, jewelry makers, arborists, photographers, and countless others with careers, talents, and passions. Do you know what talents lie hidden in your community? Get out and get to know your neighbors. You might be amazed. A simple plan for success Frederic W. (Ted) Crombie, a member of View Point Co-op in Swanzey, is a great example of the talent within resident-owned communities. Ted is an architectural designer, and proud owner of Simply Plans, a design firm in Keene. Ted sort of fell into architectural design, when he discovered graphic arts while attending Marlboro College. He enrolled in the Boston Architectural Center s architecture program and began working with Royal Barry Wills Associates. After working days and going to school nights for three straight years, Ted and his wife relocated to New Hampshire. Ted began working as a designer, program manager, and estimator for a large construction company while his wife worked in the Vermont Ted Crombie school system. Eventually Ted decided, I really wanted to be my own boss. He has owned and operated Simply Plans since Ted has completed more than 1,500 projects, including custom residential, commercial, light industrial, remodeling, alterations, and additions throughout NH. He has worked on Winchester s Emergency Services Building, Concord Laboratories, Inc. s corporate headquarters and the West Street Shopping Plaza addition in Keene and Walpole Veterinary Hospital in Walpole. To learn more about Ted, please contact him at (603) or him at simply-plans@webryders.net What are your home energy costs? Homes manufactured before 1976 didn t have to meet national building codes. Unless they have been lovingly maintained, many of these homes may be huge energy hogs, costing their owners a fortune to heat. To help homeowners replace those old homes with new, Energy Star homes, the U.S. House of Representatives included a rebate program in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of Just as the cash for clunkers program helped people buy more-fuel-efficient cars, this piece of the energy bill would provide payments of up to $7,500 for people who replace their pre-1976 home with an energy-efficient model. Supporters estimate that, in addition to the federal rebate, the newer homes will save owners $800 to $1,000 per year on energy costs. The U.S. Senate is working on its own version of an energy bill (S. 1733) that does not contain a replacement rebate. If you feel that the rebate would be helpful, this is the time to write to Senator Judd Gregg and Senator Jeanne Shaheen to let them know why. The best ways to reach our senators is by phone or (security precautions delay the delivery of ordinary letters). For Senator Gregg, phone (202) or go to and click on the contact button. For Senator Shaheen, phone (202) or go to and click on the contact Jeanne button. For more information on the House legislation (Section 103 of H.R. 2454) or to sign up for updates on Congressional action that affects residents of manufactured housing, please call me at the Community Loan Fund at (603) , ext. 264, or me at rminard@communityloanfund.org. I am eager to connect with co-op residents who are interested in political solutions to housing challenges. If you would like to add your voice to public discussions, please let me know. The Community Loan Fund is trying to gather solid information about how much owners of manufactured homes in New Hampshire spend each year on heat and electricity. The results could help us make the case for more state or federal spending on energy efficiency in resident-owned communities. If you would be willing to complete an energy-use survey, please to: rminard@communityloanfund.org 6 7

5 Good idea! Hold a re-gifting party Ask Cathy simply great advice Do you have a Good Idea to share with other cooperative residents? Send it to: ROC-NH, 7 Wall Street, Concord, NH Attn: Cooperator, or your idea to cooperator@rocnh.org Sherry Duchaine, assistant treasurer at Forest Park Tenants Assn. Cooperative in Jaffrey, offers this Good Idea. Got some friends that you didn t have time to see during the holidays? Dreading those after-holiday blues? What about that gift you know you will never use; it s collecting dust in your closet, isn t it? If this sounds familiar, have I got a Good Idea for you! At our September meeting, the board of directors brainstormed potential social events for the holiday season. I suggested an event after the holidays that would put those gifts in the back of the closet to good use. We are now planning a community-wide re-gifting party! A re-gifting party gives everyone who couldn t meet during the holidays a reason to get together soon afterward. At the party, guests can share news about their holiday celebrations. And if you leave the party with a gift you don t want, it s no big deal, because you came with a gift you didn t want anyway! I usually host the party on a Friday evening, so the greatest number of people can attend. I plan it as close to New Year s as possible because that unwanted gift is taking up space in my closet and all that uneaten holiday food is filling up my freezer. I usually turn the party into a potluck dinner. The holiday blues disappear during an evening of great friends and good food that you paid next to nothing for, on a weekend that you probably didn t have much planned for anyway. The re-gifting party works just like a Yankee Swap, except that everyone brings a gift they received that is well, not what you wanted: Invitees are instructed to bring a wrapped re-gift. I prepare a numbered slip of paper for each invitee and place them in a hat. Everyone who brings a gift draws a number from the hat. The person with the lowest number chooses a present and opens it. The person who drew number two picks a present next, opens it and decides whether to keep it or swap it for the other opened present. Opening and swapping continues until all presents have been opened. Finally, the person who picked first gets to chose from all presents, or keep the gift he or she is currently holding. Ask Cathy is a regular feature of The Cooperator. If you have a question about living in or managing a resident-owned community, please contact ROC-NH Senior Organizational Trainer Cathy Haigh at (603) , ext. 275, or by at chaigh@rocnh.org Dear Cathy, my cooperative is holding our Annual Meeting in a month or so and I want to be prepared to answer members questions about the budget. One question which always comes up is, what exactly is debt service coverage ratio, and how does it affect me as a member of the community? ~ Danny Dineen of Tamworth Pines Co-op Danny thanks for asking this important question! I ll try to explain the technical side of the question first debt service coverage ratio, often called DSCR, is a way to measure whether a business can pay its debt. DSCR compares the annual budget surplus the business expects with the amount it owes on its annual mortgage payments. It is a condition of most co-ops loan agreements that they maintain a surplus your lender wants to be sure you can pay the mortgage and put money aside in your replacement reserves! Most commonly a lender requires a surplus equal to 10 percent of the annual mortgage debt, expressed as a 1.10 DSCR. Think of it this way: Each of us has a personal budget, and if our expenses exceed our income, we won t be able to pay the rent or the mortgage. Most folks build a little extra money into their budget in case the roof leaks, we lose some income, or a combination of both. DSCR is the same thing, only it applies to business finances, rather than personal finances. How does this affect members of the community? The board of directors has factored enough income (rent) into the budget to maintain a debt service coverage ratio so your budget figures should show more in income than in expenses. Most budgets actually show the projected DSCR on the bottom right column of the page. If there is not enough projected income to meet the DSCR, the co-op needs to either cut expenses or increase the rent. Either option affects every resident. So, what if your co-op s lender doesn t require a surplus? I strongly recommend building a surplus anyway it s simply sound financial management. One more note I hate when this happens. I got the name of one of our good co-op friends wrong in the last issue of The Cooperator. The person in the Ask Cathy column was Bernie Russell. Apologies! Sherry Duchaine I am looking forward to what I hope will become an annual tradition in my community. My hope is that the party will bring neighbors together to get to know one another and have fun. What better way to build community spirit! Try it in your community, and let me know how it goes! 8 9

6 Heat things up! don t get caught in the cold Be prepared for winter storms Introducing S.A.M. The Sources of Assistance for Members Committee By Deb Mardin, Deanbrook Village Co-op, Groveton According to the Farmers Almanac we are in for another brutally cold winter this year. We re used to cold weather in New Hampshire. However, we may not be accustomed to the high cost of energy during these colder months. Fortunately there are resources available for energy and fuel assistance. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help you buy heating fuel or to weatherize your home. Don t assume that funds have been used up or that you re not eligible. You won t know until you ask! If you applied for assistance and were denied last year, or even two months ago, try again! Income guidelines can change and vary county by county. The average fuel assistance benefit is $500 and does not have to be repaid. These programs, run by local Community Action agencies, help people with low or moderate incomes stay warm in their homes. Community Action agencies may also help you receive discounts on your electric bills. Discounts range from 5% to 70%, depending on your household size and income. Fuel and electric assistance and weatherization programs are coordinated through a network of Community Action programs. Call the office nearest you to determine if you are eligible. Agencies listed serve all towns in their surrounding areas. Community Action Program, Belknap-Merrimack Counties Concord Franklin Laconia Meredith Suncook Warner Southern New Hampshire Services Nashua or (877) Hillsborough (Mon. & Fri. only) Manchester or (800) Peterborough or (877) Milford (Tues. & Thurs. only) Greenville (Wednesday only) Rockingham Community Action Salem Portsmouth Toll-free: (800) Strafford County Community Action Dover Rochester Milton Farmington Southwestern Community Services Keene or Claremont or Toll free: (800) Tri-County Community Action Serving Coos, Carroll and Grafton Counties Toll-free: (888) Berlin Littleton Colebrook Plymouth Lancaster Woodsville Tamworth Lebanon For a complete list of Community Action agencies, go to htm Also of note: anew Hampshire law provides some protection to consumers who cannot pay their bills. From Nov. 15 to March 31, an electric utility may not disconnect a customer s service if the balance owed is less than $450 (for those who heat with electricity) or less than $225 (for those who do not heat with electricity). autilities must seek approval from the Public Utilities Commission before disconnecting the service of customers known to be 65 years or older or customers with a known financial hardship. aif power is lost, turn your water heater off. When the water pump is not functioning, the water in your tank may siphon off. When electrical power returns, your water heater element could burn out. akeep candles, batteries, and canned goods (and a manual can opener!) on hand for emergencies. adon T heat your home with your gas oven! Carbon monoxide kills! The Great North Woods is a beautiful place to live, but it is not without its challenges. Along with the long, cold winters, Deanbrook Village Cooperative s members cope with a high rate of unemployment, low incomes, and an old housing stock. To address some of these challenges, the Deanbrook board decided to form a committee dedicated to researching sources of assistance for members. This committee has become fondly referred to as S.A.M. Early last winter S.A.M. and the board were looking for ways to help Deanbrook members weatherize their homes and save on energy costs. Weatherization is critical, both for homeowners and for the cooperative. For example, many homeowners prevent frozen water pipes by letting faucets run overnight. This dramatically increases the co-op s water usage and costs and wastes a valuable resource. Closing off drafts and insulating pipes would help individual homeowners and the whole cooperative. Early last winter, S.A.M. invited U.S. Dept. of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) representative to a board meeting. We were extremely impressed with the presentation and the information. Soon after, we called a special meeting to let residents know about a Home Repair Loan/Grant opportunity. Many members took advantage of the USDA-RD program; these families will have a warmer winter this year in their newly weatherized homes. S.A.M. committee members have also found programs and services like Serve New England, which offers discounted groceries in exchange for two hours of volunteer time a month; free tax preparation offered by Volunteers Income Tax Assistance; and discounted eye glasses through USDA-RD has money available for home repair in the form of grants and very-low-interest-rate loans. For more information, visit the USDA-RD Web site at or call the Concord office at (603) Cooperative Home Loans Fixed-rate loans for purchase, home equity and refinance Why finance with a Cooperative Home Loan? The age of your home doesn t matter No minimum credit score - satisfactory repayment record on past credit helps you qualify Consolidate your debt or get cash for improvements or repairs As little as 5% down (gifts & seller contributions accepted up to 3%), without private mortgage insurance You could save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan Contact us at (603) or us at homeloans@communityloanfund.org for more information 10 11

7 New Hampshire Community Loan Fund 7 Wall Street Concord, NH Save the date! Saturday, May 1, 2010 Co-ops Celebrating Community Food! Fun! Door prizes! Meet other co-op residents! CCC is an all-day event celebrating co-op living Our 2010 gathering promises to be the best yet! Join other co-op residents from around the state for this get-together celebrating co-op life. SERESC Conference Center 29 Commercial Drive, Bedford Watch for more information in The Cooperator and on our Web site: The Cooperator is published four times a year by ROC-NH, a program of the Community Loan Fund, and mailed free of charge to members of New Hampshire s resident-owned communities. If you are not currently on our mailing list and would like to receive The Cooperator, please contact us at (800) or us at cooperator@rocnh.org The Cooperator is printed on 30% recycled paper stock from mixed sources by R.C. Brayshaw & Co. a forest stewardship certified printer using low impact vegetable and soy based inks. FPO