August 22: Co-Housing - What is it and how does it benefit a community?

Co-housing is a form of intentional community that was imported to the U.S. from Denmark in the late 80s. Co-housing provides the privacy to which we are accustomed and the community we seek. Co-housing typically (1) includes a common house for community activities and shared meals, (2) is pedestrian friendly, (3) is designed, managed and maintained by residents, (4) is governed by residents using a refined consensus decision making process, and (5) is much, much more. Participants will learn what co-housing is and may want to become a part of initial efforts to create a co-housing community in Stevens Point.

Mary Maller and Lois Lawler will lead this informal and informative discussion on co-housing. They have visited and researched several existing co-housing units around the U.S.

May 2nd: Post-Summit Happy Hour With Wisconsin Rural Partners President Dennis Deery

"To build networks, leadership and voice for rural Wisconsin." This is the mission of Wisconsin Rural Partners who is hosting its annual Rural Summit in Stevens Point during the day on Friday May 2nd.  As for later that evening, this Point and a Pint happy hour warmly welcomes any enduring summit goers, passersby, and anyone and everyone here hoping to ring in the weekend with some learning and enjoyable conversation.  Special invited guest is Dennis Deery, founder of Irish Rose Consulting and current President of Wisconsin Rural Partners - who ought to be exhausted after a full day of summiting.  Dennis is at liberty to reflect on the summit, expound upon this year's theme of "Generations: Responding to Our Future", share some of his insights regarding the age of social media, or mention other experiences and insights for a short time before unleashing participants to discuss and socialize.

Friday May 2nd, 6:00 p.m., at Kristin’s Riverwalk, 1140 Clark Street, Stevens Point

This event is the second in a series of Friday evening happy hours intended to promote learning, networking, and enjoyable conversation on topics related to community development. The event is free and open to the public; participants may purchase their own food and drinks at Kristin’s Riverwalk. People are encouraged to arrive early (between 5:30 and 6:00), settle in, and begin to order their food and drinks before the short talk begins.

April 25: Sustainable Community Development with Torbjörn Lahti

Come to the kick off for “A Point and a Pint” happy hour series on April 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Kristin’s Riverwalk, 1140 Clark Street, Stevens Point. Torbjörn Lahti will spark ideas and conversations among participants of this happy hour by giving a short talk, drawing upon experiences that have made him a world renowned leader in sustainable development. A planner and economist, Lahti is the founder of the Swedish eco-municipality movement and has worked with over 100 municipalities in providing eco-municipality education and assistance. He co-authored the award-winning book The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities & Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices (New Society Publishers, 2004), and presently co-directs the Institute for Ecomunicipality Education & Assistance.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to connect with a world-renowned expert in the field!