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--- house_documents:constitutions:newcommunity [2019/06/10 09:15] – officelabor
+++ house_documents:constitutions:newcommunity [2021/12/17 08:18] (current) – eo_newcommunity
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 </WRAP>
-====Article I - Governance====
+====Scope of the Constitution====
-  - **A.** The operations and activities of New Community shall be governed by rules and regulations proposed and adopted at house meetings.
+This constitution supersedes all previous constitutions and all policies at variance with it other than those of the SHC. Except where limited by this constitution and the SHC, members are empowered to make decisions and enact policies independently and with concern for their fellow residents and the well-being of the house.
-    - **1.** House meetings are convened by the elected president with at least a three-day notice to the members unless and emergency meeting is required.
+====Article I - House Meetings====
-    - **2.** Unless specifically stated elsewhere in this constitution, a quorum for a house meeting shall be half plus one of the contract-holding members in residence. Meetings cannot be held without quorum unless the preceding regularly-schedules meeting failed to achieve a quorum. Once quorum is achieved, the meeting may continue to its finish even if a quorum is no longer present.
+  - **1.** The operations and activities of New Community shall be governed by rules and regulations proposed and adopted at house meetings.
-    - **3.** Decisions at a house meeting are made by a simple majority vote of those members in attendance, unless otherwise described by this constitution.
+    - **1.** Meetings will be conducted informally and cooperatively.
-    - **4.** Emergency house meetings may be called by any member by notifying the president. Notice of at least 24 hours is required and only one topic or series of closely related topics may be discusses.
+    - **2.** A bi-weekly meeting time will be established and followed at the beginning of every semester.
-    - **5.** Meetings will be conducted informally and cooperatively, however, the president is empowered to impose forms of parliamentary procedure as the situation requires.
+    - **3.** Attendance at house meetings is mandatory. Excused absences must be discussed with the moderator prior to the meeting, or a fine will be enacted for the absent member.
-    - **6.** Attendance at house meetings is mandatory.
+    - **4.** House meetings are convened by the moderator with at least a three-day notice to the members by the moderator unless an emergency meeting is required. Emergency meetings require 48 hour notice. Notices should be posted to all forms of social media/communication the house uses.
-    - **7.** A bi-weekly meeting time will be established and followed at the beginning of every semester.
+    - **5.** A quorum for a house meeting shall be half plus one of the contract-holding members in residence. Meetings cannot be held without quorum unless the preceding regularly-scheduled meeting failed to achieve a quorum. Once quorum is achieved, the meeting may continue to its finish even if a quorum is no longer present. If a meeting is held without quorum, no voting may occur, if a vote happens the results are null. A meeting that does not meet quorum is solely for the purpose of discussion and potential planning, not direct action.
-  - **B.** Decisions of a regulatory nature are to be codified and recorded separately from the minutes as detailed under the duties of the Education Officer.
+    - **6.** Decisions at a house meeting are made by a simple majority vote of those members in attendance.
-  - **C.** Referenda may be called.
+    - **7.** The membership may recall elected officers by a majority vote at any house meeting.
-    - **1.** A referendum consists of a statement of the problem and a proposed solution; this is signed, seconded, and posted in a prominent place in the house.
+  - **2.** Decisions of a regulatory nature are to be codified and recorded separately from the moderator’s minutes as detailed under the duties of the Education Officer.
-    - **2.** There will be space for every member to sign on the referendum; there will be room also for comments. The comments should be made on a separate sheet.
-    - **3.** Members vote with their signature, in two columns for “aye” or “nay”
-    - **4.** Problems dealt with in a referendum and their solutions need a vote of 2/3 of the total membership to pass.
-    - **5.** The referendum is posted for two weeks; at the end of that time the issue is decided by the number of signatures.
-    - **6.** The solution, if it has been carried, will be implemented by the president.
-    - **7.** Any member may demand that the problem encompassed in the referendum may be removed and dealt with at a house meeting.
 ====Article II - Powers of Membership====
-  - **A.** The membership is empowered to establish the schedule of labor and jobs at the first house meeting of each semester, as well as elect by popular vote officers as outlined in this constitution.
+  - **1.** The membership is empowered to establish the schedule of labor and jobs at the first house meeting of each semester, as well as elect by popular vote officers as outlined in this constitution.
-  - **B.** Members have the power to determine a budget, under the direction of the house treasurer and staying within SHC policies, and alter this budget at times in the future.
+  - **2.** Members have the power to determine a budget, under the direction of the house treasurer and staying within SHC policies, and alter this budget at times in the future.
-  - **C.** The membership may punish fellow members for negligence or tardiness of work duties, and for absence from house meetings.
-  - **D.** The membership may recall elected officers by a 2/3rds vote at any house meeting.
 ====Article III - Responsibilities of Membership====
-  - **A.** All members are required to participate in work duties as decided on by house, including both weekly work duties and Big Jobs projects once per semester.
+  - **1.** All members are required to participate in work duties as decided on by house, including both weekly work duties and Big Jobs projects once per semester.
-  - **B.** All members are automatically fined for negligence or tardiness of work duties. This fine system shall be $5 for the first offense, $10 for the second offense, $15 for the third offense, and $15 for all subsequent offenses. All fines are assessed by the Jobs Manager and reported to both the fined person and the Finance Officer.
+  - **2.** All members are automatically fined for negligence or tardiness of work duties. This fine system shall be $5 for the first offense, $10 for the second offense, $15 for the third offense, and $15 for all subsequent offenses. All fines are assessed by the Jobs Manager and reported to both the fined person and the Finance Officer.
-  - **C.** A member may appeal a fine at the next regularly-scheduled house meeting, and may have the fine removed with a majority vote of the house.
+  - **3.** A member may appeal a fine at the next regularly-scheduled house meeting, and may have the fine removed with a majority vote of the house.
-  - **D.** Fines and other charges from the house shall be due with the regular monthly charges on the 1st of each month.
+  - **4.** Fines and other charges from the house shall be due with the regular monthly charges on the 1st of each month.
-  - **E.** Absence from any house meeting results in an automatic fine, unless the president is informed in advance of the absence and provided with a valid excuse.
+  - **5.** Absence from any house meeting results in an automatic fine, unless the moderator is informed in advance of the absence and provided with a valid excuse.
-  - **F.** All members agree to abided by the decisions of the house passed in accordance with this constitution, as well as the policies of the SHC.
+  - **6.** All members agree to abide by the decisions of the house passed in accordance with this constitution, as well as the policies of the SHC.
-  - **G.** At the beginning of each semester quiet hours are to be defined and established by the active members of the house.
+  - **7.** At the beginning of each semester quiet hours are to be defined and established by the active members of the house.
-====Article IV - House Officers====
+====Article IV - Seniority====
-  - **A.** Officers are elected at the first meeting of each semester and will fulfill their duties as follows:
+  - **1.** Seniority is determined first by months lived at New Community and then secondly by months residing in the Spartan Housing Cooperative.
-    - **1. President**
+  - **2.** In case of a tie among the number of semesters, the date that contracts were signed will determine the order of seniority.
-      - **a.** Oversees general operation of the house and hears member complaints.
-      - **b.** Handles general public relations of house.
-      - **c.** Handles situations which require immediate attention. Responsible for making emergency decisions for house, but must account for actions at next house meeting.
-      - **d.** Posts agenda for house meetings. Responsible for notifying membership of any changes in good time, as outlined in this constitution.
-      - **e.** At the end of each semester, reviews all meeting minutes and informs house of all changes which have taken place.
-    - **9. Education Officer**
-      - **a.** Represents house at all SHC Education Meetings.
-      - **b.** Responsible for submitting (and soliciting submissions) to the Pine Press as required by SHC.
-      - **c.** Takes minutes at house meetings and posts them within three days of the meeting.
-    - **10. Board Representative**
-      - **a.** Represents the house at SHC Board of Director's meetings and any appropriate committee meetings.
-      - **b.** Reports relevant BOD/SHC affairs to the house, posting relevant notices when necessary.
-      - **c.** Collects and returns ballots for SHC-wide votes.
-    - **11. Finance Officer**
-      - **a.** Represents house at all SCH Finance Meetings and works closely with corporate treasurer and the other house treasurers about SHC financial manners.
-      - **b.** Maintains house accounting. On first of the month, posts charge sheet. On sixth of the month, posts the office Transmittal of paid members.
-      - **c.** Presents monthly Reconciliation at house meetings before submission to SHC.
-      - **d.** Pays bills for the house.
-    - **12. Membership Officer**
-      - **a.** Represents house at all SCH Membership Officer meetings.
-      - **b.** Helps resolve disputes between residents, reporting to SCH and grievance committee if necessary.
-      - **c.** Signs tour cards for potential new housemates, delegating this responsibility if necessary.
-      - **d.** Notifies future residents of room picks. Conducts room picks according to seniority outlined by SHC and constitution.
-    - **13. Maintenance Officer**
-      - **a.** Represents house at all SCH Maintenance meetings.
-      - **b.** Oversees the corrective and preventative maintenance of the house, working with SHC staff and officers when necessary.
-      - **c.** Organizes and supervises “Big Job” weekends once per semester, semesterly grant proposals, and keeps copies of all house keys.
-      - **d.** Required to attend and encourage attendance of SHC All Member Work Day.
-      - **e.** Responsible for city code compliance, including yearly inspection.
-      - **f.** Mows lawn in summer and shovels sidewalks in the winter, and keeps the yard clean in general.
-    - **14. Physical Development Officer**
-      - **a.** Represents house at all SCH Physical Development meetings.
-      - **b.** Research the physical needs of the house and what membership would like to see change for the future of the house.
-      - **c.** Write semesterly grant proposals for larger scale home improvement projects that will better the house for future members.
-====Article V - House Jobs====
+====Article V - House Officers====
+  - **1.** Officers are elected at the first meeting of each semester and will fulfill their duties as follows:
+    -**1. Education Officer**
+      - **1.** Represents house at all SHC Education meetings.
+      - **2.** Responsible for submitting (and soliciting submissions) to the Pine Press as required by the education committee.
+    -**2. Board Representative**
+      - **1.** Represents the house at SHC Board of Directors meetings and any appropriate committee meetings.
+      - **2.** Reports relevant BOD/SHC affairs to the house, posting relevant notices when necessary.
+      - **3.** Collects and returns ballots for SHC-wide votes.
+    -**3. Finance Officer**
+      - **1.** Represents house at all SHC Finance Meetings and works closely with corporate treasurer and the other house treasurers about SHC financial manners.
+      - **2.** Maintains house accounting. Posts charge sheet on the first of the month, posts charge sheet and on the sixth of the month, posts the Office Transmittal of paid members.
+      - **3.** Presents monthly reconciliation at house meetings before submission to SHC.
+      - **4.** Pays bills for the house.
+    -**4. Membership Officer**
+      - **1.** Represents house at all SHC Membership Officer meetings.
+      - **2.** Helps resolve disputes between residents, reporting to SHC and grievance committee if necessary.
+      - **3.** Leads tours and signs tour cards for potential new housemates.
+      - **4.** Notifies future residents of room picks. Conducts room picks according to seniority outlined in article IV of this constitution.
+    -**5. Facilities Officer**
+      - **1.** Represents house at all SHC Maintenance and Physical Development meetings.
+      - **2.** Oversees the corrective and preventative maintenance of the house, working with SHC staff and officers when necessary.
+      - **3.** Organizes and supervises “Big Job” weekends once per semester.
+      - **4.** Keeps copies of all house keys.
+      - **5.** Required to attend and encourage attendance of SHC All Member Work Day.
+      - **6.** Responsible for city code compliance, including yearly inspection.
+      - **7.** Write grant proposals each semester for larger scale home improvement projects that will better the house for future members.
+====Article VI - House Jobs====
   - **A.** House jobs are assigned at the first meeting of each semester. House labor should be assigned as needed and may vary from semester to semester. The house may establish any other jobs or change job description as it deems necessary. The general purpose of jobs is to provide a clean, pleasant house.
-    - **1. Jobs Manager**
+    - **1. Jobs Manager (1)**
-      - **a.** Conducts semesterly job appointment ritual.
+      - **1.** Conducts job appointment ritual by seniority every semester.
-      - **b.** Prepares and posts labor schedules. Checks schedules weekly to ensure labor completion.
+      - **2.** Prepares and posts labor schedules. Checks schedules weekly to ensure labor completion.
-      - **c.** Assesses fines and reports them at house meetings.
+      - **3.** Assesses fines and reports them at house meetings.
-    - **2. Thing Getter**
+    - **2. House Shopper (1)**
-      - **a.** Purchases all house supplies as determined by the house, keeping to the weekly budget amounts as closely as possible.
+      - **1.** Purchases all house supplies as determined by the house, keeping to the weekly budget amounts as closely as possible.
-      - **b.** Establishes, posts, and generally sticks to consistent schedule for shopping.
+      - **2.** Establishes, posts, and generally sticks to consistent schedule for shopping.
-      - **c.** Responsible for keeping necessary food and cleaning supplies in stock.
+      - **3.** Responsible for keeping necessary food and cleaning supplies in stock.
-      - **d.** Works with Maintenance Officers to purchase relevant supplies.
+      - **4.** Works with Maintenance Officers to purchase relevant supplies.
-      - **e.** Works with SHC and other house stewards and buyers when necessary.
+      - **5.** Works with SHC and other house stewards and buyers when necessary.
-      - **f.** Uses bottle and can deposits to offset costs from the budget.
+      - **6.** Uses bottles and can deposits to offset costs from the budget.
-    - **3. Trash Manager**
+    - **3. Moderator (1)**
-      - **a.** Empties the kitchen and laundry trash bins on a weekly basis or as needed, attempting to empty trash before the dumpster is emptied.
+        - **1.** Creates a template for house meeting notes and posts it on the Facebook page prior to every meeting, allowing for members to add items to the agenda.
-      - **b.** Empties kitchen compost bin into compost pile when full.
+        - **2.** Takes detailed notes during house meetings and posts them after the meeting in the Facebook group.
-    - **4. Recycling Manager**
+        - **3.** Reminds members multiple times through social media of the house meetings (minimum once per week), giving at least three days notice.
-      - **a.** Organizes and maintains recycling station in kitchen and posts recycling guidelines for members.
+    - **4. Trash Manager (2)**
-      - **b.** Runs recycling to the MSU Recycling Center on a weekly basis or uses East Lansing Recycling curbside service.
+       - **1.** Empties the kitchen trash bin as needed.
-    - **5. General Cleaners**
+       - **2.** Empty the kitchen compost bin when full.
-      - **a.** General cleaners are assigned to clean various sections of the house at different times of the week. In general, cleaners: Vacuum, sweep, empty trash, and mop where appropriate.
+    - **5. Recycling Manager (1)**
-      - **b.** Cleaners for the Commons, Bar, and Mail Room will sweep and mop the floors, empty trash, clean the windows, and take dish bins to the basement.
+       - **1.** Organizes and maintains recycling station in the kitchen and posts recycling guidelines for members.
-      - **c.** Cleaners for the second and third floors will vacuum the hallways and stairs, pick up any trash or debris, and clean the windows.
+       - **2.** Runs recycling to the MSU Recycling Center on a weekly basis or uses East Lansing Recycling curbside service.
-      - **d.** Cleaners for the Airlock will sweep and mop the Airlock weekly, and clean the windows once a month.
+       - **3.** Takes returnables (bottles and cans) to the store and gives resulting vouchers to the House Shopper.
-    - **6. Dish Nights**
+    - **6. Groundskeepers (2)**
-      - **a.** All members will hold one dish night per week.
+       - **1.** Mowing, raking, watering and weeding the garden, shoveling snow
-      - **b.** On their dish night, members are responsible for washing all dirty dishes in the kitchen, including those left on counters, tables, and the stove.
+       - **2.** Keeps the yard clean in general.
-      - **c.** Dish nights will be held every night of the week. Assuming a full house of 15 members, one night will have three members assigned.
+    - **7. General Cleaners**
-      - **d.** Dish nights must be done on the night assigned from the hours of 8:00pm to 2:00pm the next day.
+        - **1.** General cleaners are assigned to clean various sections of the house at different times of the week. In general, cleaners should vacuum, sweep, empty trash, disinfect surfaces, organize clutter, and mop where appropriate.
-    - **7. General Kitchen Cleaners**
+            - **1. Hallways**
-      - **a.** Kitchen Cleaners are responsible for mopping the kitchen, disinfecting kitchen surfaces, cleaning appliances, and returning left out dishes to the sink.
+            - **2. Kitchen**
-      - **b.** Kitchen cleaners are also responsible for washing any house rags, towels, table cloths, etc. once a week.
+            - **3. Airlock**
-    - **8. Bathroom Cleaners**
+            - **4. Living Room**
-      - **a.** Bathroom Cleaners clean their bathroom by Wednesday nights. They must clean the toilet, sink, shower and mirror, empty the trash and restock toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. Floor mats and guff towels must be washed weekly.
+            - **5. Bar/Mail Room**
-      - **b.** In general, there will be three to four people responsible for a particular bathroom, rotating each week.
+            - **6. Basement/Laundry**
-    - **9. SHC Labor**
+                - **1.** Washes house blankets, bath rugs, towels, etc. as needed
-      - **a.** It is an obligation of the house to fulfill any SHC-imposed labor requirements. (e.g. Office Labor).
+    - **8. SHC House Labor**
+        - **1.** It is an obligation of the house to fulfill any SHC-imposed labor requirements. (e.g. Office Labor).
+    - **9. Dish Days**
+        - **1.** All members will hold one dish day per week.
+        - **2.** On their dish night, members are responsible for washing dishes for a minimum of 15 minutes.
+        - **3.** If needed, dish days may be performed one day in advance or one day late.
+        - **4.** After completion of their dish day, members must sign the dishes dry erase board on their assigned day. If they do their dishes early or late, they must still sign in their assigned day, along with the date completed.
+    - **10. Bathrooms**
+        - **1.** Members that use each bathroom should determine a cleaning schedule amongst themselves.
+        - **2.** Bathroom cleaners should clean the toilet, sink, shower and mirror, empty the trash and restock toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. Floor mats and guff towels must be washed weekly.
-====Article VI - Room Decisions====
+====Article VI - Parking====
-  - **A.** A prospective member may not sign a second housing contract until he or she comes before the current membership and explains his or her need or want for the second contract. This must then be voted on whether or not to allow the signing of a second contract.
+  - **1.** Spots are determined by seniority
-  - **B.** The decision of room picks will be based on seniority. This will proceed as follows, in order of importance:
+  - **2.** If there are any unclaimed spots unless otherwise stated they shall be considered guest spots.
+  - **3.** Members must notify the house if a guest is using parking if parked longer than 8 hours.
+====Article VII - Room Decisions====
+  - **1.** A current member may not sign a second housing contract until they come before the current membership and explain their need or want for the second contract. This must then be voted on whether or not to allow the signing of a second contract.
+  - **2.** The decision of room picks will be based on seniority. This will proceed as follows, in order of importance:
     - **1.** Any member may claim the room that member currently resides in for the following contract period at the time room picks occurs. This occurs regardless of seniority, and that room shall not be available to any other member during the room picks proceedings.
-    - **2.** Semesters lived in New Community at the time of room picks will determine seniority. In case of a tie among the number of semesters, the members class level (i.e. Senior, Junior, etc.) will determine the order. In case of that tie, the date that contracts were signed will determine order.
+    - **2.** After members may choose to claim the room they currently reside in, seniority (see Article IV) determines the order of room picks.
-    - **3.** Semesters lived in other MSU SHC houses at the time of room picks will determine seniority. In case of a tie among the number of semesters, the members class level will determine the order. In case of that tie, the date that contracts were signed will determine order.
+    - **3.** Any member who chooses a double may choose their roommate regardless of where that roommate may fall in the order of room picks.
-    - **4.** The date that contracts were signed will determine the order of any room picks after the above have already been fulfilled.
-    - **5.** Any member who choses a double may choose their roommate regardless of where that roommate may fall in the order of room picks.
-====Article VII - Amendments to the Constitution====
+====Article VII - Party Policy====
+  -**1.** A party shall be defined as an official house gathering that is voted on by the house members and as defined in the SHC Party Policy in the SHC Code of Operations. This status requires that house members recognize and follow the specific traits and responsibilities described in this section of the house constitution as well as those of the SHC Party Policy in the SHC Code of Operations.
+  -**2.** All house parties must be proposed at a house meeting and voted on and approved by at least a simple majority.
+  -**3.** Party Participation:
+    - **1.** A house member voting yes may 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.
+    - **2.** A member voting no for the party will be expected not to attend; if the member does choose to attend, they must share in responsibility for the party cleanup.
+    - **3.** A house member abstaining from the vote will be exempt from any shared responsibility unless they participate in the party. In the event of a dispute, the members’ participation will be decided with a vote at a House meeting.
+    - **4.** The house members who participate in the party must also participate in the setup and clean up of the party.
+  - **4.** A party is subject to being stopped or canceled at any moment due to medical, legal, or any other situations where the welfare or safety of the house or its members is at risk. A party is not subject to being stopped or canceled due to personal reasons that lie outside of the reasons listed above.
+  - **5.** A “sober rep” should be appointed for each party. In the event the fire alarm goes off the “sober rep” should 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.
-This constitution may be amended at a regularly schedules house meeting by a 2/3 majority of members present; amendments shall be filed with the SHC and a new copy of the constitution should be compiled for the house to record past changes.
+====Article IX - Guest Policy====
+  -**1.** Each housemate is responsible for the actions of their guest and making sure that the guest is aware of house norms.
+  -**2.** A guest may not be left alone in the house without house approval.
+  -**3.** A guest may stay in a resident’s room for up to two weeks. After two weeks, the guest must be voted on and pass with quorum (half of membership +1) or leave.
+  - **4.** A guest may stay in the common room for up to three nights, the membership is to be informed of the guest through house social media. A guest staying longer than three nights will need approval of a majority of members.
+  - **5.** Voting on guests staying longer than the approved limits established in numbers 3 and 4 of this section may happen at a house meeting or through social media poll.
+  - **6.** A guest may stay and attend house meetings in their entirety until open floor discussion. Any guest, including potential housemates, are expected to leave the room for this part of house meetings.
-====Article VIII - Scope of the Constitution====
+====Article X - Pet Policy====
+  -**1.** All plans for uncaged pets must be brought up at a house meeting before it is brought in the house. A simple majority vote of the house may allow the pet's entrance.
+  -**2.** Any and all pet allergies must be taken into account when bringing new pets into the house.
+  -**3.** Pet owners are responsible for any and all impact their animal has on the house’s day to day operations and environment. This includes but is not limited to sights, smells, animal droppings, use of house resources, space needed to house the pet and any damage caused  by the pet.
+  -**4.** Limit of two uncaged animals total as per SHC policy (not more than 1 per 7 members).
-This constitution supersedes all previous constitutions and all policies at variance with it other than those of the SHC. Except where limited by this constitution and the SHC, members are empowered to make decisions and enact policies independently and with concern for their fellow residents and the well-being of the house.
+====Article XI - Amendments to the Constitution====
+This constitution may be amended at a regularly scheduled house meeting by a majority of members present; amendments shall be filed with the SHC and a new copy of the constitution should be compiled for the house to record past changes.