house_documents:constitutions:bower
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision | ||
house_documents:constitutions:bower [2019/06/08 09:37] – itadmin | house_documents:constitutions:bower [2025/02/19 11:47] (current) – Added Membership, Expulsion, Pet Policy, Smoking Policy, Large Appliance Policy, House Values/Norms, and Harassment Policy. Updated Chore Descriptions, Officer Responsibilities, other minor changes. eo_bower | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
- **B.**To ensure that said responsibilities and obligations are discharged in a manner efficient, practical, and harmonious; also | - **B.**To ensure that said responsibilities and obligations are discharged in a manner efficient, practical, and harmonious; also | ||
- **C.**To maintain Bower House financially and physically in the soundest possible condition; moreover | - **C.**To maintain Bower House financially and physically in the soundest possible condition; moreover | ||
- | - **D.**To protect the individuals, | + | - **D.**To protect the individuals, |
- | + | - **E.**To ensure the safety, health, and comfort of all current and future members of Bower House. | |
- | Hereby | + | We hereby |
</ | </ | ||
- | **Article I: Definitions** | + | ====Article I: Name==== |
+ | This organization shall be known as Bower House Cooperative. | ||
+ | ====Article II: Definitions==== | ||
- **A.** ‘Constitution’ shall refer to this document in its entirety. | - **A.** ‘Constitution’ shall refer to this document in its entirety. | ||
- | - **B.** ‘Bower House Cooperative, | + | - **B.** ‘Bower House Cooperative, |
- | - **C.** ‘Student | + | Bower is located |
- | - **D.** A ‘member’ is any person who has ever held a valid contract with Bower House Cooperative. | + | - **C.**‘Spartan |
- | - **E.** An ‘active | + | - **D.** An ‘member, |
- **1.** Has a valid contract with SHC. | - **1.** Has a valid contract with SHC. | ||
- | - **2.** Is currently in good financial standing with SHC. | + | - **2.** Is occupying their personal living space |
- | - **F.** A ‘guest’ is anyone staying at Bower House for any length of time without having signed a contract. | + | - **E.** A ‘guest’ is anyone staying at Bower House for any length of time without having signed a contract. |
- | - **G.** ‘Active membership, | + | - **F.** A ‘house meeting’ shall be defined as a congregation of house members assembled to transact business pertaining to the internal operation of Bower House subject to the rules and regulations set forth by this constitution. |
- | - **H.** A ‘house meeting’ shall be defined as a congregation of house members assembled to transact business pertaining to the internal operation of Bower House subject to the rules and regulations set forth by this constitution. | + | - **G.** The ‘constitutional addendum, |
- | - **I.** The ‘constitutional addendum, | + | - **H.** The term ‘personal living space’ is defined as the individual room that a member lives in. |
- | - **J.** ‘Meat’ will be defined as an animal byproduct that is typically derived from the death of that animal. | + | - **I.** A ‘common room’ shall be defined as any room that is not an active member’s personal living space. |
- | - **K.** The term ‘personal living space’ is defined as the individual room that an active | + | - **J.** An ‘Ecosystem’ is a synthesis of all flora, fauna, and biological processes that interact with and are affected by membership of Bower house. |
- | - **L.** A ‘common room’ shall be defined as any room that is not an active member’s personal living space. | + | |
- | - **M.** An ‘Ecosystem’ is a synthesis of all flora, fauna, and biological processes that interact with and are affected by membership of Bower house. | + | |
- | ====Article | + | ====Article |
- **A.** This constitution shall be subject to all laws and regulations set forth by the United States of America, the State of Michigan, and the City of East Lansing. | - **A.** This constitution shall be subject to all laws and regulations set forth by the United States of America, the State of Michigan, and the City of East Lansing. | ||
- | - **B.** This constitution shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth by the Michigan State University Student | + | - **B.** This constitution shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth by the Spartan |
- **C.** This constitution shall supersede and null all previous constitutions initiated by Bower House Cooperative. | - **C.** This constitution shall supersede and null all previous constitutions initiated by Bower House Cooperative. | ||
- **D.** This constitution shall supersede any rules or regulations that were implemented under its governance. | - **D.** This constitution shall supersede any rules or regulations that were implemented under its governance. | ||
Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
- **A.** All rules and regulations imposed upon the members and guests of Bower House shall be adopted at house meetings or be stated within this constitution. | - **A.** All rules and regulations imposed upon the members and guests of Bower House shall be adopted at house meetings or be stated within this constitution. | ||
- | ====Article V: House Meetings==== | + | ====Article V – Membership==== |
- | - **A.** | + | - **A.** |
- | - **1.** Quorum shall consist of anyone who attends | + | - **B.** Any person wishing to become a member of Bower Cooperative House must first tour the house, attend |
- | - **2.** Will be held on the first, third, and fifth (when applicable) Sundays | + | - **C.** |
- | - **3.** A facilitator for a meeting | + | - **1.** A single “no” vote of any member may block the prospective member. |
- | - **4.** The agenda for the meeting shall be distributed all house members a minimum of 48 hours prior to meeting time. | + | - **2.** After a meeting |
- | - **5.** Will have the ability | + | - **3.** Votes on prospective members may not be made while they are present in the house. |
- | - **6.** Decisions at a house meeting will pass by a majority vote, unless otherwise described | + | - **D.** In accordance with the Fair Housing Act, no applicant may be denied on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. Any decision |
- | - **B.** An Emergency House Meeting shall be a house meeting composed of active members subject | + | - **E.** No one may live in Bower Cooperative House without first signing |
- | - **1.** A minimum | + | - **F.** New members will be charged a membership fee and a house share. The share will be returned |
- | - **2.** Will have the ability | + | - **G.** Members are required to sign full contracts. Members who join after the beginning |
- | - **3.** Shall not have the ability | + | - 1. Seniority. If a member of the Haus would like to move rooms during the contract cycle, it will be based on seniority of the signed contract date of the specific member(s). |
- | - **4.** All decisions made at an Emergency House Meeting shall be subject | + | - **H.** If a member of the Haus terminates their contract, they are responsible for advertising their vacancy |
- | - **5.** Can be called by any member | + | - . Members who buy out of their contract are still responsible for three months’ carrying charges, in accordance with SHC policy. However, their house charges may be waived through a quorum house vote. Whether to waive these charges should be based on the member’s effort to fill their vacancy. |
- | - **C.** All house meetings | + | - **H.** Changing contracts within |
+ | - **10.** Members are required | ||
+ | - 1. Understand and promote the purpose of the House as outlined in the SHC Articles of Incorporation. | ||
+ | - 2. take an active part in the affairs | ||
+ | - 3. attend House meetings. | ||
+ | - 4. maintain House facilities. | ||
+ | - 5. obey all rules and policies, values and norms that the House sets. | ||
- | ====Article VI: Rules==== | + | ====Article VI: House Meetings==== |
- | - **A.** | + | - **A.** |
- | - **B.** | + | - **1.** Quorum shall consist of 1 member more than ½ of members. |
- | - **C.** Rules shall be implemented in the following manner: | + | - **2.** Will be held every other week as it is agreed upon the house, barring school breaks |
+ | - **3.** A facilitator for a meeting shall be selected at the previous house meeting. In the event that no facilitator was selected at the previous house meeting, the education officer shall facilitate. | ||
+ | - **4.** Will have the ability to vote on any business that concerns Bower House. | ||
+ | - **5.** Decisions at a house meeting will pass by quorum as defined above, unless otherwise described in this constitution. | ||
+ | - **6.** An Emergency House Meeting shall be a house meeting composed of members subject to the following: | ||
+ | - **i.** A minimum of 18 hours notice will be given to all members. When called, a brief agenda must be announced | ||
+ | - **ii.** Members will not be fined for missing an emergency meeting. | ||
+ | - **iii.** Will have the ability to vote on any business that concerns the structural integrity of Bower House, legal issues, or SHC decisions. | ||
+ | - **iv.** Shall not have the ability to implement new rules, regulations, | ||
+ | - **v.** All decisions made at an Emergency House Meeting shall be subject to review at the following Regular House Meeting. | ||
+ | - **vi.** Can be called by any member | ||
+ | - **B.** | ||
+ | - **1.** Members with permanent time conflicts are encouraged to change their schedules if possible, or the house should reevaluate meeting days/times to accommodate for all members. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article VII: Rules==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Rules shall be implemented in the following manner: | ||
- **1.** Suggested rule is brought up during a Regular House meeting. | - **1.** Suggested rule is brought up during a Regular House meeting. | ||
- | - **2.** Is passed in the manner prescribed by Article | + | - **2.** Is passed in the manner prescribed by Article |
- **3.** Is written, posted, and added to the addendum section of this constitution. | - **3.** Is written, posted, and added to the addendum section of this constitution. | ||
+ | - **B.** All members and guests are expected to read and heed all rules implemented in the section immediately above. | ||
+ | - **C.** Any member or guest who violates a rule is subject to a fine as prescribed by that rule and/or this constitution. | ||
- **D.** Any rule not added to the official constitution addendum shall not be enforced. | - **D.** Any rule not added to the official constitution addendum shall not be enforced. | ||
- | + | | |
- | ====Article VII: Standing House Rules==== | + | |
- | | + | |
- | - **1.** There is no smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco paper rolled paraphernalia within Bower House. | + | |
- | - **2.** Smoking is allowed outside of Bower House. | + | |
- | - **B.** Meat | + | |
- | - **1.** Meat is hereby allowed to be prepared, cooked, consumed, and stored in common areas and house member personal living spaces. | + | |
- | - **2.** House members are expected to keep in mind both the diets of their fellow house members and the history of | + | |
- | - **3.** Bower House with its relation to meat; and therein keep their actions respectful in this regard. This includes dishes used with meat being washed thoroughly. | + | |
- | - **4.** House money shall not be used to purchase meat. | + | |
- | - **C.** Room Picks | + | |
- | - **1.** Room picks will be based on seniority. Overall the member with the most seniority will get the first room pick, and the second highest will get second, and so on and so forth. Seniority will be decided as follows: | + | |
- | - **i.** The person with the highest points has the highest seniority. | + | |
- | - **ii.** For each fall or spring semester living in Bower, the active member will be assigned 5pt. | + | |
- | - **iii.** For each summer semester living in Bower the active member will be assigned 3pt. | + | |
- | - **iv.** For each fall or spring semester living in SHC outside of Bower, the active member will be assigned 2pt. | + | |
- | - **v.** For each summer semester living in SHC outside of bower the active member will be assigned 1pt. | + | |
- | - **vi.** If point totals are equal for the two active members, then their signing dates will be used to determine whose seniority is higher. If that is the same, then an impartial manner such as drawing straws, flipping | + | |
- | - **2.** When room picks are done: | + | |
- | - **i.** For fall/spring semesters, room picks are done by the end of the preceding spring semester. Room picks are set until May, however if a room becomes empty, that room will be available for any member | + | |
- | - **ii.** For summer semester, room picks are done after the fall/spring picks of the following school year, but must be done at least two weeks before the summer contract period starts. | + | |
- | - **3.** Squatter’s Rights | + | |
- | - **i.** Squatter’s rights are in effect. Active members occupying | + | |
- | - **ii.** Exception: Summer semester. The summer semester room picks do not carry over into the school year. The room picks decided the preceding spring hold precedence. | + | |
- | - **D.** Energy Consumption | + | |
- | - **1.** Window-mounted air conditioning units are banned from use in any personal living space. | + | |
- | - **2.** Personal refrigeration units in personal living spaces will be charged an additional $10 per month. | + | |
- | - **3.** Space Heaters in personal living spaces: | + | |
- | - **i.** Space heaters must be newer than 5 years old | + | |
- | - **ii.** Maximum energy usage for a space heater is 1000kWh | + | |
- | - **iii.** Active members using a space heater will be subject to an additional $20 per month charge each month of use. | + | |
- | - **iv.** This charge is based on whether or not there exists a space heating unit within an active | + | |
====Article VIII: Specific Powers of the Membership==== | ====Article VIII: Specific Powers of the Membership==== | ||
- | + | - **A.** | |
- | The membership is empowered to determine the work obligation of members and to establish the rating system for each given job. | + | - **B.** |
- | The membership is empowered to impose | + | - **C.** |
- | The membership is empowered to recall a house officer by a 2/3 vote of those present | + | - **D.** |
- | negligent in their duties. | + | |
- | The membership is empowered to evict a member as outlined in the SHC Code of Operations. | + | |
====Article IX: Responsibilities of the Membership==== | ====Article IX: Responsibilities of the Membership==== | ||
- | |||
- **A.** Work Responsibilities | - **A.** Work Responsibilities | ||
- **1.** All active members of Bower House are required to perform work duties as decided upon by the house. These include: | - **1.** All active members of Bower House are required to perform work duties as decided upon by the house. These include: | ||
- | - **i.** | + | - **i.** |
- | - **ii.** Work Weekend tasks chosen from the approved | + | - **ii.** Work Weekend tasks chosen from work weekend task lists |
- | - **2.** Final responsibility for assigned work rests with the active | + | - **2.** Final responsibility for assigned work rests with the members who originally signed up for the job. If a member cannot do a job, they may exchange duties with another member if both members agree to the conditions of exchange. |
- | - **3.** Any active | + | - **3.** Any member who fails to do assigned work within the specified time will be fined; this is in effect for house officers as well. |
- | - **B.** Financial Responsibilities: | + | - **B.** Financial Responsibilities: |
- | - **1.** Dues and deposits required by Bower House and MSU SHC must be paid before a new member moves into the house. | + | - **1.** Any fines imposed by the membership for violating house rules, non-performance of assigned work, or other offenses |
- | - **2.** Any fines imposed by the membership for violating house rules, non-performance of assigned work, or other offences | + | - **2.** Openings due to a vote to release a person from a contract must be filled by that member. |
- | - **3.** The Keeper of the Keys will fill openings due to eviction. | + | - **3.** If a contract is broken: |
- | - **4.** Openings due to a vote to release a person from a contract must be filled by that member. | + | |
- | - **5.** If a contract is broken: | + | - **ii.** If there are no vacancies except those resulting from broken contracts, the broken contracts |
- | - **i.** | + | - **4.** All house expenditures not accounted for will have an immediate stop payment put on them by the Finance Officer. |
- | - **ii.** And an active member | + | |
- | - **6.** All house expenditures | + | ====Article X: House Officers and Other Leadership Positions==== |
+ | - **A.** Bower House shall have the following elected officers: Membership, Education, Facilities, Finance and Board Representative. | ||
+ | - **B.** Elections for a given term are to occur at the first Regular House Meeting of each semester with the following constraints: | ||
+ | - **1.** A list of each service position shall be provided for all members to view. | ||
+ | - **2.** Any member may run for any given position. | ||
+ | - **3.** A vote will occur for each position. In the event that multiple members wish to hold a position: the house will use ranked choice voting The lowest vote receiver will be dropped after a vote, and further votes will be taken until one person achieves a clear majority. | ||
+ | - **4.** The newly elected members shall take charge of their respective positions immediately. | ||
+ | - **5.** The newly elected | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Officer and Leadership Position Responsibilities==== | ||
+ | **A. Jobs Manager (Chore Checker)** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Jobs Manager is elected at the first House meeting at the beginning of MSU’s fall semester for the rest of the contract period. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Jobs Manager must propose a work schedule to the House at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. The schedule should take into account the number of members present in the House for that semester and should be considerate of members’ school and work schedules. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Jobs Manager ensures that every member | ||
+ | - **4.** The Jobs Manager is responsible for issuing warnings and fines (to be voted on at the first House meeting of each MSU semester) to members who fail to perform jobs or who perform jobs poorly. | ||
+ | - **5.** The Jobs Manager works with the Facilities Officer to organize “Work Week” and issues fines to members who fail to participate. | ||
+ | **B. Board of Directors Representative** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Board of Directors Representative shall be elected at the first meeting of the House during the MSU fall semester for the duration of the contract period, insofar as possible. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Board of Directors Representative will represent Bower House at the Board of Directors meetings of the SHC, and is charged to act in the best interest of the House and the corporation. Any fines assessed to the House due to non-attendance at these meetings will be charged to the Board of Directors Representative’s account. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Board of Directors Representative will post a copy of the report from each Board meeting in a common area of the House in a timely fashion for review by House members. | ||
+ | - **4.** The Board of Directors Representative will report on Board meetings at House meetings and obtain the vote or opinion of House members on issues of the Board that will require the Board of Directors Representative to vote. | ||
+ | - **5.** The Board of Directors Representative will fulfill any other duties as assigned by the SHC Articles of Incorporation or by the Board of Directors. | ||
+ | **C. Facilities Officer** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Facilities Officer shall be elected at the first meeting of the House for each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Facilities Officer is responsible for seeing that all House duties which involve general Facilities are done in a proper fashion that promotes good stewardship of the House. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Facilities Officer will keep track of all House Facilities work and repairs and report any irregularities to the SHC Vice-President of Physical Development or to the SHC Facilities Employee/ | ||
+ | - **4.** The Facilities Officer will report on work accomplished, | ||
+ | - **5.** The Facilities Officer will attend all SHC Physical Development Committee meetings. Any fines assessed to the House due to non-attendance at these meetings will be charged to the Facilities Officer’s account. | ||
+ | - **6.** The Facilities Officer will notify the SHC Facilities Employee/ | ||
+ | - **7.** The Facilities Officer will consult with the House treasurer to determine the size of each MSU semester’s Facilities budget. | ||
+ | - **8.** The Facilities Officer will prepare, with the Jobs Manager, a “Work Holiday” list of general improvement tasks for the House by the second House meeting of each semester, and set a timetable for their completion. If a job must be completed by a specified time, the Facilities Officer must justify this date. | ||
+ | - **9.** The Facilities Officer is responsible for all House tools, including loaning them to and collecting them from members. The Facilities Officer must take an inventory of all House tools at the beginning and end of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **10.** The Facilities Officer must keep a Facilities log that records all of the work done and repairs made to the House. | ||
+ | - **11.** The Facilities Officer must inspect and take inventory of every room’s condition between occupancies. | ||
+ | - **12.** The Facilities Officer will make certain that all members have keys for their room and for the House. The Facilities Officer must keep a complete and easily identifiable duplicate set of keys in cooperation with the Membership Officer. The Facilities Officer will be responsible for any other duties assigned by the SHC Membership Committee or the SHC Articles of Incorporation. | ||
+ | - **13.** The Facilities Officer must complete any other duties assigned by the Physical Development Committee or the SHC Articles of Incorporation. | ||
+ | ** D. Membership Officer** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Membership Officer shall be elected at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Membership Officer will strive to ensure that the House operates at full membership capacity (19 members). During those times of the year when many contracts expire, this may require | ||
+ | - **3.** The Membership Officer will see that prospective members meet the qualifications for membership and understand costs and responsibilities. | ||
+ | - **4.** The Membership Officer will coordinate with the Education officer to organize a new member orientation packet for new members within one week of their arrival. This packet shall include a copy of the Bower Cooperative House Constitution, the MSU SHC Code of Operations/ | ||
+ | - **5.** The Membership Officer will coordinate room changes among members. | ||
+ | - **6.** The Membership Officer will attend all SHC Membership Committee meetings. Any fines assessed to the House as a result of non-attendance at these meetings will be charged to the Membership Officer’s account. | ||
+ | - **7.** The Membership Officer will report to the House during House meetings about the happenings of SHC Membership Committee meetings. The Membership Officer will get the House’s input on decisions being made at the SHC Membership Committee meetings. | ||
+ | **E. Education Officer** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Education Officer shall be elected at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Education Officer is responsible for representing the House at meetings of the SHC Education Committee and reporting back to the House any important information. Any fines assessed to the House as a result of non-attendance at these meetings will be charged to the Education Officer’s account. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Education Officer is responsible for reviewing and updating the House constitution, | ||
+ | - **4.** The Education Officer is responsible for writing articles for the SHC newsletter, the Pine Press. | ||
+ | - **5.** The Education Officer is responsible for ensuring | ||
+ | - **6.** The Education Officer is responsible for any other duties assigned by the SHC Education Committee or the SHC Articles of Incorporation. | ||
+ | **F. Meeting Facilitator** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Meeting Facilitator is represented by the Education Officer or a member | ||
+ | - **2.** The Meeting Facilitator is responsible for calling and facilitating House meetings in accordance with this document. The Meeting Facilitator is to post an agenda at least 72 hours in advance of regularly scheduled meetings. In the case of an unscheduled emergency meeting, the agenda must be posted at least 24 hours in advance. Any member may call for the Meeting Facilitator to hold an emergency meeting of the House. Any member may add items to meeting agendas. | ||
+ | - **3.** House meetings | ||
+ | - **4.** If the Meeting Facilitator cannot attend a House meeting, the Jobs Manager will chair the meeting. | ||
+ | - **5.** Quorum is ½ + one of current House membership. If quorum is not achieved in a regularly scheduled meeting, the Meeting facilitator must reschedule a new meeting within one week. | ||
+ | - **6.** The Meeting Facilitator is responsible for issuing fines (determined by vote at the first House meeting of each MSU semester) to members who fail to attend a meeting without a valid excuse. | ||
+ | - **7.** The Meeting Facilitator shall record the minutes of all House meetings and post them in a common area or in the house Discord. The posted minutes are to be read and initialed (virtually signed) by any members who failed to attend the meeting. Any correction to these minutes will be corrected at the next House meeting. | ||
+ | **G. Finance Officer** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Finance Officer shall be elected at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Finance Officer shall maintain the house fiscal records in an accurate and timely manner. This includes keeping house members informed of the status of all house accounts, including, but not limited to posting house charges monthly. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Finance Officer shall pay all house bills using house funds. | ||
+ | - **4.** The Finance Officer shall issue member fines as directed by the Jobs Manager. | ||
+ | - **5.** The Finance Officer shall represent Bower House at SHC Finance Committee meetings. This includes submitting a budget proposal to the SHC Corporate Treasurer for the following term at the end of the current term. | ||
+ | - **6.** The Finance Officer shall complete duties as assigned by SHC Corporate Treasurer | ||
+ | **H. Kitchen Steward** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Kitchen Steward will be elected at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Kitchen Steward will keep tabs on the cleanliness and operational capability of the kitchen and work with members to return it to ideal conditions when they are subpar. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Kitchen Steward will take a master inventory of food and related supplies as necessary and procure sufficient quantities so that semesters may begin and end with reasonable meals and minimal rancor. | ||
+ | - **4.** The Kitchen Steward will work with the House cooks to arrange for appropriate menus for meals with due consideration for dietary foibles and preferences of the membership. | ||
+ | - **5.** The Kitchen Steward will help coordinate the food and work with the purchasing agents (House shopper) to arrange smooth pick-up or delivery of supplies. This requires knowledge of the current inventory of food and leftovers. | ||
+ | - **6.** The Kitchen Steward will work with the House treasurer to set up budgets for food and supplies. | ||
+ | - **7.** The Kitchen Steward cannot purchase meat or seafood products with House funds. | ||
+ | **I. Interim Coordinator** | ||
+ | - **1.** The Interim Coordinator for the transition to the next SHC contract period will be elected at the last House meeting of the contract period (usually the last House meeting of the MSU Spring semester). The Interim Coordinator should be a member that is returning for the next contract period. The Interim Coordinator will collect all House and room keys from leaving House members and keep track of all keys not turned in. The Interim Coordinator will provide the House treasurer a list of all House members who have not turned in their keys so that they can be charged accordingly. | ||
+ | - **2.** The Interim Coordinator will be responsible for giving House and room keys to all new House members at the start of the next contract | ||
+ | - **3.** The Interim Coordinator will set the agenda for and facilitate the first House meeting of the new contract | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XI: Work Duties, Fines and Penalties==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Before the work schedule | ||
+ | - **B.** The manner in which the work is distributed must ensure that each member does approximately the same amount of work for the House. Jobs should be distributed at the first House meeting of each MSU semester. | ||
+ | - **C.** Each member of the House must accomplish four/five hours of general improvement work per semester. | ||
+ | - **D.** Weekly work will be fined in the following manner by the Chore Checker: | ||
+ | - **1.** Every hour of weekly work missed necessitates a $15 fine. | ||
+ | - **2.** If the same job has been missed two or more consecutive times the fine will be doubled. | ||
+ | - **E.** House destruction and blatant disregard for rules will be fined in the following manner unless otherwise described in this constitution: | ||
+ | - **1.** The membership will hear complaints about the member who has purposefully destroyed an item belonging to the house during a Regular House Meeting. | ||
+ | - **2.** The membership will vote on whether to fine the individual in question after both sides are heard. | ||
+ | - **i.** If the vote is in favor of fining the member in question, then fines shall be levied based on the value of said destroyed item. | ||
+ | - **ii.** If the vote is not in favor of fining the member in question, then the issue will be considered resolved. | ||
+ | - **3.** Grounds and procedures | ||
+ | - **F.** Fines may be removed if a ⅔ majority of the membership votes to remove the levied fine during a Regular House Meeting or if the SHC Grievance Committee determines the fine to be unfair. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XI – Seniority==== | ||
+ | - **1.** Seniority in the House is determined by the date a member contract is signed to the Bower Cooperative. In the event that two or more members signed on the same day, the member who first contacted Bower’s Membership Officer has seniority. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XII – Rooms==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Room pick order is determined by seniority. Every year before moving in there will be an event for new and returning members to pick rooms. | ||
+ | - 1. Room pick seniority is unaffected by double or single contract status. | ||
+ | - 2. Members have the right to remain in their current room when renewing their contract. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XIII — Parking==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Parking seniority in the Bower parking lot (and other spaces guaranteed to the house by the SHC) will be determined by two factors: whether a member has a vehicle upon their move-in (or renewed contract start) date, and their signing date. Members who will have a specific vehicle by the time of said move-in/ | ||
+ | - 1. Exception: If a member has physical limitations or needs to have a vehicle in the lot for their personal health and/or safety, then such members will have top seniority for a parking spot in the Bower parking lot. | ||
+ | - 2. Exception: If a member has possession of a vehicle that is not with them physically or has a proof of a definitive plan to own a specific vehicle within three months of their contract start date, they can request to have a parking spot held in the lot up until the end of the third month. If by then they do not have said vehicle they will revoke their parking spot. During | ||
+ | - **B.** | ||
+ | - 1. Exception: If two members are fighting over parking spots they will drag race in drag. An arbitrary third party will act as referee for a race that spans across the Bower/Haven House lots. | ||
+ | - **C.** Guests may use the Bower parking lot to park their vehicle if at the time there are more parking spots than members with vehicles. Otherwise, guests must find a different spot to park their vehicle(s). | ||
+ | - **D.** Assigned parking spots (a specific physical area for a specific person’s vehicle) are determined by current members, yet members do not need to assign spots if they decide this as a house. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XIV — Smoking Policy==== | ||
+ | - **A.** There is no smoking permitted within Bower House, including tobacco, e-cigarettes and marijuana products. | ||
+ | - 1. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please talk to our Membership Officer. | ||
+ | - **B.** Smoking is allowed outside of Bower House. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XV – Large Appliances==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Members using a space heater or a wall-mounted air conditioning unit will be subject to an additional per month charge each month of use as agreed upon by the membership. | ||
+ | - a. Space heaters in personal living spaces must be less than 5 years old. | ||
+ | - b. Maximum energy usage for a space heater is 1000kWh. | ||
+ | - c. Charges will be waived for rooms deemed uninhabitable without heaters. | ||
+ | - d. Other personal appliances that use large amounts of energy may result in an additional per month charge each month of use as agreed upon by the membership. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XVI – Pet Policy==== | ||
+ | - **A.** One’s pet is one’s own responsibility. This includes the financial responsibility if one’s pet damages property of the house or other members. | ||
+ | - **B.** Any and all pet waste is to be managed by the owner of said pet. | ||
+ | - a. Litter boxes are to be kept within the room of the owner, not within common spaces. | ||
+ | - b. All pet waste that finds itself outside of a litter box, including outdoor waste, must be cleaned up as soon as possible by the owner of said pet. Managing pet waste includes managing the smell in shared spaces. | ||
+ | - **C. ** Any dog living at Bower must know and respond to “no”, “down”, “stop”, “leave it”, etc - OR be enrolled in training classes of some sort. This ensures that everyone’s personal boundaries are not being violated. | ||
+ | - **D.** Pets are to be registered with the SHC after receiving a “yes” vote from the house. | ||
+ | - a. It is at the house' | ||
- | ====Article | + | ====Article |
+ | - **A.** Work Week | ||
+ | - **1.** The purpose of Work Week will be to clean Bower House and to complete projects that add value to Bower House. | ||
+ | - **2.** Will be held once a semester. | ||
+ | - **3.** The Facilities Officer will be in charge of organizing, facilitating, | ||
+ | - **4.** The following items must occur prior to Work Week: | ||
+ | - **i.** List of jobs will be completed and receive approval during a Regular House Meeting by a vote. | ||
+ | - **ii.** House members will choose the jobs they will complete from the approved list with facilitation from the Finance Officer and Chore Checker. | ||
+ | - **iii.** Times and dates for the work to be completed will be established and approved during a Regular House Meeting by a vote. | ||
+ | - **iv.** House members unable to attend Work Weekend must notify the Facilities Officer and negotiate a project to make up for that house member’s absence. | ||
+ | - **v.** The Facilities Officer will acquire all tools, supplies, and permits necessary to complete work week. | ||
+ | - **5.** This event is mandatory for all house members. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Article XVIII – “Party” Policy==== | ||
+ | - **A.** All house parties must be voted on and approved at a house meeting by quorum (10 members). | ||
+ | - a. A house member voting yes shall enjoy full privileges enjoyed as a host of the party as well as shared responsibility of any damages, fines, legal action, or any other negative ramifications resulting from the party. | ||
+ | - b. A house member voting no or abstaining to vote for the party will be expected not to participate in the party unless otherwise approved by a house vote. These members will also be exempt from any shared responsibility as described above. | ||
+ | - **B.** A party is subject to be stopped or cancelled at any moment due to medical, legal, or any other situations where the welfare and safety of the house and its members is at risk. | ||
+ | - a. In the event that any legal or dangerous situation arises as a result of a housemate or housemate’s friends, the house shall discuss the consequences for said behavior at the following meeting. | ||
+ | - **C.** A party shall be defined as an official house gathering that is voted on by the house members. This status requires that house members recognize and follow the specific traits and responsibilities described in this section of the house constitution. | ||
+ | - **D.** Due to legal and safety reasons, the preferred distribution of alcohol will be BYOB (bring your own booze). | ||
+ | - **E.** If Bower House and its members decide to throw a party they as a house must elect a “sober rep”, this member will refrain from “substances” for the evening, making themselves available to handle escalating situations, mediating of any kind, any situation someone who is under the influence is not able to handle alone. | ||
+ | - a. In the event the fire alarm goes off the “sober rep” is to be the person to talk to the fire department, likewise the “sober rep” is also the person who needs to talk to the police in the event they show up. | ||
+ | - **F.** Any hard copy or electronic invitations must only be made available in a private or a secret setting. Any distribution of the party information or description to public forums is strictly prohibited. Examples include open facebook events, coffeehouses, | ||
+ | - **G.** The house members who vote to participate in the party must participate in the set up, clean up, and security of the party. | ||
+ | - a. The Jobs Manager shall create a signup sheet in order to designate which jobs are to be completed before, during, and after the party as well as which participating house members are responsible for specific tasks. | ||
+ | - b. Any participating member who does not complete their specific duty as defined by the Jobs Manager shall receive a fine of $**10.** | ||
- | | + | ====Article XIX - Consent==== |
- | - Bower house shall have the following leadership positions: Steward, Work Manager, House Scribe, Groundskeeper, | + | - **A.** Consent is an active and informed agreement between two parties. |
- | - Elections for a given term are to occur at the first Regular House Meeting of each semester with the following constraints: | + | |
- | - The previous semester’s Work Manager will facilitate the election process. | + | ====Article XX – Amendments==== |
- | - A list of each job position shall be provided to all members to view. | + | - **A.** Amendments to this document require 2/3 approval |
- | - Any active | + | - **B.** Amendment proceedings must be preceded by at least a two week viewing period during which amendments can be proposed by any member. This period is to be announced |
- | - A vote will occur for each position, in the event that multiple active members wish to hold a position. The lowest vote receiver will be dropped after a vote, and further votes will be taken until one person achieves a clear majority. | + | - **C.** Voting on amendments |
- | - The newly elected active members shall take charge of their respective positions immediately. | + | |
- | - Descriptions | + | |
- | - Keeper of the Keys | + | |
- | - Maintain | + | |
- | - Strive to maintain the house at full capacity. | + | |
- | - Advertise and actively recruit prospective house members. | + | |
- | - Give house tours to prospective house members. | + | |
- | - Coordinate room picks. | + | |
- | - Mediate conflicts between house members, as it is needed. | + | |
- | - Represent Bower House at all SHC Membership Committee meetings or find a house member to act as a proxy. | + | |
- | - Notify the SHC Vice President of Membership of any issues that cannot | + | |
- | - House Scholar | + | |
- | - Shall do everything in their power to discontinue the Pine Press | + | |
- | - Update and organize the House Constitution and its respective Addendum. These documents should be updated in both paper and electronic form as changes occur. | + | |
- | - Represent Bower House at SHC Education Committee meetings or find a house member to act as a proxy. | + | |
- | - Maintain responsibility for Bower house community outreach and the preservation of Bower house history. | + | |
- | - Guardian of the Vault | + | |
- | - Maintain the house fiscal records in an accurate and timely manner. | + | |
- | - Keep house members informed of the status of all house accounts, including, but not limited | + | |
- | - Pay all house bills using house funds. | + | |
- | - Issue member fines as directed | + | |
- | - Represent Bower House at SHC Finance Committee meetings. | + | |
- | - Submit a budget proposal to the SHC Corporate Treasurer for the following term at the end of the current term. | + | |
- | - Maintenance Officer | + | |
- | - See to the corrective and preventative maintenance of the house and the surrounding ecosystems. | + | |
- | - Organize and supervise each semester’s Work Weekend. | + | |
- | - See that all fire alarms, smoke detectors, and extinguishers are functional and stage a fire drill at least once a term or as prescribed by law. | + | |
- | - Complete specific tasks as requested by the membership. | + | |
- | - Report to members at house meetings on maintenance problems and their suggested solutions. | + | |
- | - The Maintenance Officer may not spend more than $25 on a single item that is neither specially budgeted for nor approved by the house, except in the event of an emergency. | + | |
- | - Will represent Bower House at SHC Facilities Committee meetings. | + | |
- | - SHC BOD (Board Of Directors) Representative | + | |
- | - Will Represent Bower House at SHC BOD meetings, and any other organizations | + | |
- | - Must give notice to the house of the affairs of these organizations during every Regular House Meeting. | + | |
- | - Secure the membership’s vote and/or opinion on current issues requiring the SHC BOD Representative’s vote at an SHC BOD meeting. | + | |
- | - Steward | + | |
- | - Take inventory of food and kitchen supplies while working with house shoppers to make sure the food supply is sufficient. | + | |
- | - Work with the house cooks to prepare a shopping list for the house shoppers each week. | + | |
- | - If applicable, coordinate bulk orders and arrange smooth pickup and delivery of bulk supplies. | + | |
- | - Work with the Guardian of the Vault to keep track of the food budget and strive to stay within said budget. | + | |
- | - Maintain communication with the membership about food preferences, | + | |
- | - Organize and maintain the pantry in a cleanly manner. | + | |
- | - Work Manager | + | |
- | - Will prepare and post a list of all house jobs and the members assigned to do them. | + | |
- | - Develop a system to make sure the house jobs are being done on a weekly basis in a timely and efficient fashion. | + | |
- | - Fine those who are not doing their housework according to the rules laid out in Article X. | + | |
- | - House Scribe | + | |
- | - Take minutes for each house meeting, | + | |
- | - Maintain a forwarding file of addresses of members who have moved out of Bower House, and forward any mail for those members who moved out less than one year ago. | + | |
- | - Retrieve and sort mail daily. | + | |
- | - Recycle all solicitations for members more than one year moved out | + | |
- | - Groundskeepers | + | |
- | - Will maintain, clean and organize | + | |
- | - taking steps to ensure the viability of the ecosystems in which Bower House resides. | + | |
- | - adjusting for, and being prepared for the seasonal demands of exterior cleanup | + | |
- | - Shall update the house members | + | |
- | - The groundskeeper shall work in conjunction with the Maintenance Officer | + | |
- | - Shall be responsible for planning the Bower House Garden during the off season | + | |
- | - Shall make all provisions to save the seeds that are produced within the Bower House Garden | + | |
- | - Shall ensure that Harvests of food from the Garden shall be executed | + | |
- | - Shall send all funding requests through the Maintenance Officer | + | |
- | - Guff Manager | + | |
- | - The guff manager shall organize and maintain all GUFF designated areas on a weekly timeline | + | |
- | - Shall use discretion on when and how to remove GUFF items from the house | + | |
- | - Shall update the house members at the house meetings on all GUFF related issues. | + | |
+ | ====Article XXI - House Values and Norms==== | ||
+ | - **A.** Bower House values are as follows and may be changed by a ⅔ vote of the house. Bower and its members value: | ||
+ | - a. Diverse Opinions and Perspectives | ||
+ | - b. Respect | ||
+ | - c. Open Communication | ||
+ | - d. Honesty | ||
+ | - e. Friendliness | ||
+ | - f. Being cooperative | ||
+ | - g. Being an active participant in our community | ||
+ | - h. Cleanliness | ||
+ | - i. Sustainability | ||
+ | - j. Consent | ||
+ | - **B.** Our norms are derived from our values and should be discussed at every first house meeting of the year. It is important that all members and their guests follow these norms and they must be posted in common spaces for constant reference. | ||
+ | - a. Open and Honest Communication | ||
+ | - i. Use I statements | ||
+ | - ii. Be proactive in your communication, | ||
+ | - iii. Don’t make assumptions, | ||
+ | - iv. Conflict? Try to work it out one on one (Face to face) first | ||
+ | - v. Conflict you can’t solve by yourself? Go to your membership officer or education officer for resolution | ||
+ | - vi. Don’t talk about other house members behind their back | ||
+ | - vii. Don’t be passive aggressive | ||
+ | - viii. Step up - Step back | ||
+ | - ix. All house norms and rules apply to social media use. | ||
+ | - b. Consent! | ||
+ | - i. Ask for consent when touching someone or their property, eating their food, or entering their room | ||
+ | - ii. No one is static, ask each time | ||
+ | - iii. Educate yourself on each others boundaries | ||
+ | - iv. Smoking in common areas? Ask your housemates in that room first | ||
+ | - v. Don’t be a bystander | ||
+ | - vi. Don’t post pictures of other housemates on social media without their consent or any pictures that would be found in violation of the constitution. | ||
+ | - c. Respect! | ||
+ | - i. All members are treated equal | ||
+ | - ii. Hold visitors to same standards | ||
+ | - iii. Include everyone | ||
+ | - iv. ALWAYS respect your housemates (THIS IS YOUR FAM) | ||
+ | - d. Be Eco-Friendly | ||
+ | - i. Conserve resources | ||
+ | - ii. Recycle! | ||
+ | - iii. Turn lights/TV off when you’re the last one leaving the room | ||
+ | - e. Cleanliness | ||
+ | - i. Do your jobs to the best of your ability | ||
+ | - ii.Leave everything better than you found it! | ||
+ | - iii. You don’t have to have the job to do what has to be done (take initiative) | ||
+ | - f. Spread positivity | ||
+ | - i. If you need to vent - ask first | ||
+ | - g. Actively participate in our family | ||
+ | - i. Be a part of house events | ||
+ | - ii. Help foster a sense of home/ | ||
+ | - iii. Put in the effort to make a happy healthy home | ||
+ | - iv. Have an emotional investment in the house | ||
+ | - v. Honor Bower traditions. | ||
house_documents/constitutions/bower.1560011851.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/06/08 09:37 by itadmin