I’ve been flirting with the idea of  coworking for about three years now. I’ve met with a couple of people over the past year and chatted with others and found some interest but also, a general misunderstanding of coworking.

Coworking is about building a community of people who work together. It’s not about finding “office space” and renting out spaces. Coworking is about collaboration, community, sustainability, openness, and accessibility.

In my real job, I write about e-learning, technology, and the social web. I work from my home office and travel infrequently. Because of that, I sometimes feel isolated. In fact, I think working virtually has actually had a negative effect on my face-to-face social skills especially because I live in a rural area. It’s not as easy to meet virtual friends face-to-face as say, in New York. A tweet-up in my area is like ten people. My online connections have had a positive impact on my life  though. I interact with more people now than ever before. “Friends.”

The Mohawk Valley, where I live, is suburban and rural and includes the cities of Rome and Utica, New York. I live in Clinton, the home of Hamilton College. It’s got a nice vibe for coworking – several small shops and a quaint park in the middle of the village surrounded by historical buildings.  So, my hope is to join with a community of people who share my passion for creating a coworking spot in the Mohawk Valley. If that’s you, leave me a comment.

{ 0 comments }