Laying the First Stone: What Happens in the Founders Stage

Every community begins with a dream, but it takes committed people to turn vision into reality. At Gratitude Village, those people are our Founding Members—the trailblazers who step in early, lay the first stone, and help shape the path forward. If you’ve ever wondered what happens in this pivotal stage, here’s a closer look at how Founders bring our community to life.

Shaping the Design

In cohousing, the homes and the common spaces aren’t designed by developers behind closed doors—they’re co-created by the very people who will live there. Founding Members sit at the table with our architects, offering input on everything from the layout of the common house to the feel of the outdoor gathering spaces.

Throughout the fall our Founders will meet with Charles Durrett, one of the leading voices in cohousing design, to refine the plans for Gratitude Village. Their ideas, preferences, and values will directly shape the look, flow, and character of the neighborhood. From sustainable features like gardens and green roofs to practical choices like playgrounds and parking, Founders are helping decide what our village will look and feel like for decades to come.

Building the Culture

A cohousing community isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. That’s why the Founders Stage is also when we begin weaving together the cultural fabric of Gratitude Village. Founding Members engage in workshops on governance, conflict resolution, and community-building. They start traditions, share meals and test out decision-making tools like sociocracy. This is the stage where future neighbors move from being friendly faces on a Zoom call to becoming collaborators and co-creators. They set the tone for what daily life will be like: inclusive, supportive, and joyful. In many ways, the culture of a community is its most valuable asset and Gratitude Village Founders are the ones who nurture it from day one.

Guiding Governance

How do we make decisions together? Who decides how chores are shared, or how the community handle finances, or what policies keep us safe and fair? These questions are answered in the Founders Stage. With facilitation and guidance, Founders begin to practice governance in real time. At Gratitude Village, we’re leaning toward sociocracy—a model designed for collaboration, transparency, and shared leadership. But the way it’s implemented, the policies that emerge, and the spirit behind them will be determined by our Founders. Their participation ensures that governance is not imposed but grown organically, shaped by the community it serves.

Securing Priority in Home Selection

Of course, there are also very practical benefits to being an early adopter. Founding Members gain priority in selecting their future homes. Whether someone dreams of a cozy flat near the common house or a family-sized home with space for a backyard garden, their place in the membership queue determines the order of selection. Plus, their input helps determine what style and sizes of homes will be built.

By stepping in early, Founders have the widest choice of homes and the greatest influence in shaping them. It’s both a reward for taking the leap and a reflection of the trust they’ve placed in the community’s vision.

The Spirit of Early Adopters

Joining at the Founders Stage isn’t just about securing a home—it’s about helping launch a movement. Early adopters are the visionaries who see possibility before the rest of the world catches on. They invest their time, energy, and finances knowing that what they’re building is bigger than themselves.

Every cohousing community that exists today had a group of Founders who took this step. Without them, there would be no neighborhoods of connection and sustainability to inspire us. Gratitude Village is no different. It takes a small group of dedicated people to say yes first—and in doing so, they change what’s possible for everyone who comes after.

Be Part of the Story from the Beginning

The Founders Stage is exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding. It’s the time when ideas become plans, when neighbors become collaborators, and when the future begins to take shape.

🌱 Be part of the story from the very beginning—become a Founding Member. Join through the end of day September 21 and earn a $3000 early adopter bonus!

👉 Learn more and join us!