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house_documents:constitutions:theshire [2022/03/01 11:05] – memberserviceshouse_documents:constitutions:theshire [2023/11/13 14:12] (current) – [Article 5 - Membership Dues and Responsibilities] eo_theshire
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 The Shire Housing Cooperative (subsequently described as “the cooperative”) is a member-owned housing cooperative that has existed since the purchase of the property of 5473 Okemos Road, East Lansing, by Rivendell Cooperative House in December of 2011.   In September 2017 The Shire became a member of Michigan State University Student Housing Cooperative (MSU SHC) now known as Spartan Housing Cooperative (SHC). The Shire Housing Cooperative (subsequently described as “the cooperative”) is a member-owned housing cooperative that has existed since the purchase of the property of 5473 Okemos Road, East Lansing, by Rivendell Cooperative House in December of 2011.   In September 2017 The Shire became a member of Michigan State University Student Housing Cooperative (MSU SHC) now known as Spartan Housing Cooperative (SHC).
-As a cooperative, members (occupants) take partial ownership of the property and are expected to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of their respective house during the duration of their stay. Members strive to pursue a low-impact, ecologically-friendly lifestyle. As a member residents are expected to fully participate in the decision making process as it pertains to the health of the cooperative. All decisions made by the cooperative will be reached through consensus; that is, all members of the cooperative must agree on any changes or policies adopted by the cooperative.  All members of the cooperative hold equal standing in the decision-making process.+As a cooperative, members (occupants) take partial ownership of the property and are expected to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of their respective house during the duration of their stay. Members strive to pursue a low-impact, ecologically-friendly lifestyle. As a member residents are expected to fully participate in the decision making process as it pertains to the health of the cooperative.  
 +All decisions made by the cooperative will be reached through consensus; that is, all members of the cooperative must agree on any changes or policies adopted by the cooperative.  All members of the cooperative hold equal standing in the decision-making process.
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
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 a. malicious remarks or behavior toward another person. This could include: a. malicious remarks or behavior toward another person. This could include:
  
-     1) discriminatory physical behavior – for example, when harassment is in an active form such as pinching, caressing, touching, vandalism, etc. +1. discriminatory physical behavior – for example, when harassment is in an active form such as pinching, caressing, touching, vandalism, etc. 
-      + 
-     2) discriminatory verbal or written insults or manipulative behaviors including, but not limited to, discriminatory, offensive, or obscene remarks. For example, gaslighting or the writing or speaking of derogatory names or comments that refer to an individual’s race, creed, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, etc.+2. discriminatory verbal or written insults or manipulative behaviors including, but not limited to, discriminatory, offensive, or obscene remarks. For example, gaslighting or the writing or speaking of derogatory names or comments that refer to an individual’s race, creed, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
            
 b. explicit verbal threats where an individual’s personal safety is put in jeopardy by the language of another. For example, “I will hit you if…”, “You had better… or else…”, “If you do not do what I say, I will hurt you”. b. explicit verbal threats where an individual’s personal safety is put in jeopardy by the language of another. For example, “I will hit you if…”, “You had better… or else…”, “If you do not do what I say, I will hurt you”.
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 Specific (The person giving consent is aware of what exactly they are consenting to and nothing else.)  Specific (The person giving consent is aware of what exactly they are consenting to and nothing else.) 
  
- Consent must be respected and adhered to. It is the responsibility of all parties involved to ensure that every participating member of a conversation or activity is consenting to their involvement. Consent is about communication and therefore frequent check-ins with involved parties is expected.+Consent must be respected and adhered to. It is the responsibility of all parties involved to ensure that every participating member of a conversation or activity is consenting to their involvement. Consent is about communication and therefore frequent check-ins with involved parties is expected.
  
 ====Article 5 - Membership Dues and Responsibilities==== ====Article 5 - Membership Dues and Responsibilities====
  
 1. Take an active part in the operation of Shire House 1. Take an active part in the operation of Shire House
 +
 2. Promptly pay monthly charges 2. Promptly pay monthly charges
 +
 3. Attend all House meetings, unless excused for valid reasons 3. Attend all House meetings, unless excused for valid reasons
 +
 4. Make proper use of House facilities 4. Make proper use of House facilities
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 5. Clean up all personal messes left in common areas, and wash any dish they used. 5. Clean up all personal messes left in common areas, and wash any dish they used.
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 6. Actively participate in physical upkeep of the house 6. Actively participate in physical upkeep of the house
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 7. Obey all rules and policies that Shire House sets 7. Obey all rules and policies that Shire House sets
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 8. Abide by the norms reviewed and affirmed at the beginning of each audit period 8. Abide by the norms reviewed and affirmed at the beginning of each audit period
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 9. Repeated violations of the house norms are grounds for a house-assessed fine, or further disciplinary actions should the need arise. 9. Repeated violations of the house norms are grounds for a house-assessed fine, or further disciplinary actions should the need arise.
  
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 **Section 1: Officers** **Section 1: Officers**
 The officers of this organization shall consist of: Treasurer, Secretary, Maintenance, Education, Membership, and SHC Board Representative. The officers of this organization shall consist of: Treasurer, Secretary, Maintenance, Education, Membership, and SHC Board Representative.
 +
 **Section 2: Philosophy of Jobs** **Section 2: Philosophy of Jobs**
 All members shall be responsible for promoting the purpose and spirit of the house; shall cooperate in assisting any officer seeking advice or needing help when their job becomes overwhelming. Shall try to eliminate internal problems, whether they are personality conflicts or something more tangible, and shall provide a healthy living environment for other housemates by being empathetic to each other’s needs without infringing too much on your own. All members shall be responsible for promoting the purpose and spirit of the house; shall cooperate in assisting any officer seeking advice or needing help when their job becomes overwhelming. Shall try to eliminate internal problems, whether they are personality conflicts or something more tangible, and shall provide a healthy living environment for other housemates by being empathetic to each other’s needs without infringing too much on your own.
 +
 **Section 3: Point System** **Section 3: Point System**
 All members of The Shire must fulfill equal job points weekly. A member shall have as many jobs as is required to meet this criteria. All members of The Shire must fulfill equal job points weekly. A member shall have as many jobs as is required to meet this criteria.
 The needs of the house may change over time and for that reason the amount of points and responsibilities assigned to each job may be adjusted at a house meeting as members see fit and voted into effect by a simple majority. The needs of the house may change over time and for that reason the amount of points and responsibilities assigned to each job may be adjusted at a house meeting as members see fit and voted into effect by a simple majority.
 +
 **Section 4: List of Jobs, Job Descriptions, and Point Values** **Section 4: List of Jobs, Job Descriptions, and Point Values**
 *see jobs doc *see jobs doc
 +
 **Section 5: Officer descriptions and duties:** **Section 5: Officer descriptions and duties:**
  
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 TREASURER: TREASURER:
 The treasurer shall be selected. The duties of the treasurer are as follows:  The treasurer shall be selected. The duties of the treasurer are as follows: 
 +
 A. Submit a proposed budget for the term one week after the first house meeting. The budget is subject to amendment and approval by a majority vote of the members of the house.  A. Submit a proposed budget for the term one week after the first house meeting. The budget is subject to amendment and approval by a majority vote of the members of the house. 
 +
 B. Maintain the house financial records in an accurate and timely manner. The financial records are to contain revenue and expense journal, revenue receipt book, deposit records, expense receipts for all purchases made by the house, and member accounts.  B. Maintain the house financial records in an accurate and timely manner. The financial records are to contain revenue and expense journal, revenue receipt book, deposit records, expense receipts for all purchases made by the house, and member accounts. 
 +
 C. Submit a budget variance for the previous term at the first meeting of each term.  C. Submit a budget variance for the previous term at the first meeting of each term. 
 +
 D. Pay bills for the house on time.  D. Pay bills for the house on time. 
 +
 E. Collect monies owed to the house.  E. Collect monies owed to the house. 
 +
 F. Keep the members informed of the status of their accounts and post rent lists in a public place in a timely manner.  F. Keep the members informed of the status of their accounts and post rent lists in a public place in a timely manner. 
 +
 G. Record fines on member accounts as directed by the facilitator.  G. Record fines on member accounts as directed by the facilitator. 
 +
 H. Bring any member's large balance to the attention of the house.  H. Bring any member's large balance to the attention of the house. 
 +
 I. Represent The Shire at SHC Finance meetings  I. Represent The Shire at SHC Finance meetings 
  
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 A. Initiate and implement a predictive and preventative maintenance program within the house.  A. Initiate and implement a predictive and preventative maintenance program within the house. 
 +
 B. Submit a list of maintenance projects that are to be completed during the term at the second house meeting of the term and every meeting thereafter give a report as to the status of this list.  B. Submit a list of maintenance projects that are to be completed during the term at the second house meeting of the term and every meeting thereafter give a report as to the status of this list. 
 +
 C. Coordinate and supervise work weekends, which are general house maintenance projects. House members become secondary maintenance workers in the house. The head maintenance officer must see that projects are completed within the prescribed time period. Work weekends shall be scheduled within the first two months of the semester at the decision and agreement of the majority of the house.  C. Coordinate and supervise work weekends, which are general house maintenance projects. House members become secondary maintenance workers in the house. The head maintenance officer must see that projects are completed within the prescribed time period. Work weekends shall be scheduled within the first two months of the semester at the decision and agreement of the majority of the house. 
 +
 D. Is responsible for preparing the house for any inspections.  D. Is responsible for preparing the house for any inspections. 
 +
 E. See that fire alarms and extinguishers are functional and fully recharged. A smoke detector inspection shall be done once a term.  E. See that fire alarms and extinguishers are functional and fully recharged. A smoke detector inspection shall be done once a term. 
 +
 F. Represent The Shire at SHC Physical Development committee meetings.  F. Represent The Shire at SHC Physical Development committee meetings. 
  
 MEMBERSHIP:  MEMBERSHIP: 
 The membership officer is selected for one term. Duties include:  The membership officer is selected for one term. Duties include: 
 +
 A. Maintain the house at full capacity. This may require extensive correspondence with prospective members. The membership officer will arrange house tours and dinners for prospective members. It is suggested that the membership officer use the resources of SHC to aid the membership process.  A. Maintain the house at full capacity. This may require extensive correspondence with prospective members. The membership officer will arrange house tours and dinners for prospective members. It is suggested that the membership officer use the resources of SHC to aid the membership process. 
 +
 B. Coordinate room assignments.  B. Coordinate room assignments. 
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 C. Be responsible for systematically distributing and labeling house keys and room keys to new members and gathering them from departing members.  C. Be responsible for systematically distributing and labeling house keys and room keys to new members and gathering them from departing members. 
 +
 D. Orient new members as to the rules of the house within one week of their arrival.  D. Orient new members as to the rules of the house within one week of their arrival. 
 +
 E. Maintain membership records on all current and last year's members. The membership officer is responsible for insuring that a permanent record of all last year's members is kept at the SHC office.  E. Maintain membership records on all current and last year's members. The membership officer is responsible for insuring that a permanent record of all last year's members is kept at the SHC office. 
 +
 F. Maintain a file of forwarding addresses of members that have moved away.  F. Maintain a file of forwarding addresses of members that have moved away. 
 +
 G. Coordinate The Shire involvement in SHC ‘AMPOs.  G. Coordinate The Shire involvement in SHC ‘AMPOs. 
 +
 H. Represent The Shire at SHC Membership Committee Meetings.  H. Represent The Shire at SHC Membership Committee Meetings. 
  
 EDUCATION:  EDUCATION: 
 The education officer is selected for one term. Duties are:  The education officer is selected for one term. Duties are: 
 +
 A. Submit or collect submissions for the SHC newsletter Pine Press.  A. Submit or collect submissions for the SHC newsletter Pine Press. 
 +
 B. Educate house and community about SHC and The Shire.  B. Educate house and community about SHC and The Shire. 
 +
 C. Maintain a revised copy of the house constitution.  C. Maintain a revised copy of the house constitution. 
 +
 D. Assist Education Committee in coordinating MSU-SHC events.  D. Assist Education Committee in coordinating MSU-SHC events. 
 +
 E. Represent The Shire at SHC Education Committee meetings.  E. Represent The Shire at SHC Education Committee meetings. 
 +
  
  
 SECRETARY:  SECRETARY: 
 The secretary is selected for one term. Duties include:  The secretary is selected for one term. Duties include: 
 +
 A. Recording the minutes of the house meetings in a neat and orderly manner and posting them soon after the meeting. Following approval of the minutes, they should be stored in the house files.  A. Recording the minutes of the house meetings in a neat and orderly manner and posting them soon after the meeting. Following approval of the minutes, they should be stored in the house files. 
 +
 B. At the end of the term, the secretary shall review the minutes with the Education officer and record changes in house documents with SHC. Copies of the documents shall be posted upon revision.  B. At the end of the term, the secretary shall review the minutes with the Education officer and record changes in house documents with SHC. Copies of the documents shall be posted upon revision. 
 +
 C. The secretary is responsible for keeping phone areas supplied with paper and writing utensils.  C. The secretary is responsible for keeping phone areas supplied with paper and writing utensils. 
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 D. Sorting and distributing daily mail.  D. Sorting and distributing daily mail. 
 +
 E. Forwarding old member's mail.  E. Forwarding old member's mail. 
 +
 F. Tidying mail area. This includes sorting excess paper for recycling.  F. Tidying mail area. This includes sorting excess paper for recycling. 
  
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 __//House Meetings//__ __//House Meetings//__
 +
 Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative will hold regular house meetings between residents of The Shire. The time and place of the meeting will be agreed upon by the membership and a meeting agenda posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. House meetings will be held at least monthly.  Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative will hold regular house meetings between residents of The Shire. The time and place of the meeting will be agreed upon by the membership and a meeting agenda posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. House meetings will be held at least monthly. 
      
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 **Section 10.8** Meeting fines are as follows: **Section 10.8** Meeting fines are as follows:
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 A. First missed meeting = “freebie” A. First missed meeting = “freebie”
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 B. Second missed meeting = $10 fine B. Second missed meeting = $10 fine
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 C. Third missed meeting = $15 fine C. Third missed meeting = $15 fine
 +
 D. All following missed meetings will bring fines increasing by $5 each miss (i.e. $15, $20, $25…) D. All following missed meetings will bring fines increasing by $5 each miss (i.e. $15, $20, $25…)
 +
  
 A house meeting is not considered official or binding unless quorum is met (see Voting). A house meeting is not considered official or binding unless quorum is met (see Voting).
  
 __//Voting//__ __//Voting//__
 +
 Any issue that arises that is not covered in this constitution may be brought to a house meeting to be voted on and may be approved by a majority of ballots cast so long as quorum has been met. A ballot not cast is a vote not counted. Any issue that arises that is not covered in this constitution may be brought to a house meeting to be voted on and may be approved by a majority of ballots cast so long as quorum has been met. A ballot not cast is a vote not counted.
 +
 **Quorum** is defined as ½ plus 1 of the total current house membership. (e.g. 3 out of 5) **Quorum** is defined as ½ plus 1 of the total current house membership. (e.g. 3 out of 5)
 +
  
 __//Supremacy Clause//__ __//Supremacy Clause//__
 +
 Part A: Part A:
 This constitution shall be the supreme document to define the operation of The Shire Cooperative. The membership may choose to suspend, make an exception, or amend the constitution as defined by the constitution. This constitution shall be the supreme document to define the operation of The Shire Cooperative. The membership may choose to suspend, make an exception, or amend the constitution as defined by the constitution.
 +
 Part B: Suspensions Part B: Suspensions
 The house may suspend any part of this constitution for no more than fourteen days with a majority of votes cast at a house meeting. The house may suspend any part of this constitution for no more than fourteen days with a majority of votes cast at a house meeting.
 +
 Part C: Exceptions Part C: Exceptions
 The house may make an exception to any part of this constitution expiring at a defined time with a quorum vote of the membership at a house meeting. The exception may be overturned with a majority of votes cast at a house meeting. The house may make an exception to any part of this constitution expiring at a defined time with a quorum vote of the membership at a house meeting. The exception may be overturned with a majority of votes cast at a house meeting.
 +
 Part D: Amendments Part D: Amendments
 A modification or an addition to the house constitution shall not be made: A modification or an addition to the house constitution shall not be made:
 +
 ·       Outside of a house meeting ·       Outside of a house meeting
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 ·       If a proposal for the constitution amendment did not appear on the meeting agenda 48 hours before the meeting. ·       If a proposal for the constitution amendment did not appear on the meeting agenda 48 hours before the meeting.
 +
 ·       Unless amendment is approved by quorum. ·       Unless amendment is approved by quorum.
  
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 Room assignment in each house is based on each member’s seniority in the cooperative. Members with seniority get first choice of rooms in the house if a room becomes vacant. Room assignment in each house is based on each member’s seniority in the cooperative. Members with seniority get first choice of rooms in the house if a room becomes vacant.
  
-**Move-Out Procedures**+===Move-Out Procedures===
  
  
 **Definition of Fair Notice** **Definition of Fair Notice**
-·       In the contract (current) +·In the contract (current) 
-        A member shall receive a vote for reapproval 2 months before the end of the first contract period.+A member shall receive a vote for reapproval 2 months before the end of the first contract period.
  
 **General Expectations** **General Expectations**
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 ·       Room swept and mopped ·       Room swept and mopped
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 ·       All personal property removed from the room ·       All personal property removed from the room
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 ·       Report damage to the maintenance officer ·       Report damage to the maintenance officer
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 ·       Return key ·       Return key
 +
  
 **Procedure** **Procedure**
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 A housemate that intends to leave personal items from their room at the house, or to give the items to the house must receive house approval.  Housemates that leave items without house approval will be fined at the labor rate to remove/dispose of the items as well as any removal fees.  If the items cannot be easily removed or disposed of, the house may determine its own penalty or solution. A housemate that intends to leave personal items from their room at the house, or to give the items to the house must receive house approval.  Housemates that leave items without house approval will be fined at the labor rate to remove/dispose of the items as well as any removal fees.  If the items cannot be easily removed or disposed of, the house may determine its own penalty or solution.
  
 +//**Last reviewed: 11/10/2023**//
  
house_documents/constitutions/theshire.1646161519.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/03/01 11:05 by memberservices